women
empowerment
We promote, protect and fulfil the human rights of marginalized indigenous women. Gender equality and the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls is paramount.
SEEDS envisions women gaining access to and control over resources hence we encourage alternate roles and responsibilities that do not inhibit them.
Supported by SEEDs, the nine Women’s Forum serve as a platform for village women to gain easy access to information and knowledge (including government schemes and notifications, access to entitlements), registration/redressal of cases related to violence against women, counselling and for attaining justice.
In the past one year 1216 cases were registered in 70 villages. Out of these, 83% cases were of domestic violence; 8% of bigamy; 7% of extra-marital relation; 1.3% of child marriage and 0.7 others. Out of the total cases 76% have been sorted out. The remaining are in process.
The maximum number of cases [54%] have been resolved at the village level with the intervention of the Village Headman and the women’s Forum members of respective villages. A quarter of the cases [25%] are resolved by the women Barefoot Counsellors, locally known as DishaDi, and the Forum members. The complex cases are handled by the Cluster Women Leaders with participation of the Village Headman and the village community which includes the family members of the oppressed woman and the oppressor. Such cases constituted 20% of the total registered (with Women’s Forum) cases. About 1% cases [14 nos.] reached the police station and got resolved with police intervention. There is a periodic follow-up of the cases that have been resolved in order to ensure that it does not recur.
A study was conducted to find out the status of the cases related to women’s rights violation, that were registered during 2019 and 2020.
230
villages surveyed
21890
women covered
3250
cases recorded
2731
cases resolved
Womens Forum at the police station demanding quick action
Our women assert their strength and unity through the 9 forums spread over 9 community development blocks in 5 districts. The women’s forum is proactive in tracing and tracking cases of violence against women.
Comprising of over 4000 poor rural women, the forums actively advocate the issues of the poor to the fore and pressurize the local government/power mongers to act on them. It plays the role of watchdogs in ensuring proper implementation of government schemes.
As has been proven time and again, if a community has to be developed, first of all its women need to be empowered.
Study on the Status of Gender Based Violence in Rural Areas
SEEDS works with women, men, adolescents and youth, girls, boys, communities and local organizations to transform harmful gender norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender based violence (GBV). Through its various interventions it strives to promote healthy, equitable and non-violent relationships.
A first of its kind Study has been conducted with 1005 women in 9 villages spread over six Blocks in East Singhbhum and Khunti districts of Jharkhand. A key objective of the Study was to gather information on the prevalence of women’s experiences of violence. No incidents of violence were reported outside marriage. Four types of violence were covered in this Study, viz. physical, emotional, economic and sexual violence.The Study combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to understand the magnitude, causes and consequences of violence in a family. The quantitative study was designed as an interview of all women in the relevant age group (18 to 50 years) in these villages. Four types of violence were measured, viz. physical, economic, emotional and sexual. It is disturbing to know that among the surveyed families, 44% women faced violence at home.
45 year old tribal lady, Mithila states, “We are a family of four members. My husband has alcohol every day and fights with me. Thus there is no peace at home. He tortures me mentally and doesn’t allow me to talk to anyone. If ever he sees me talking to anyone he beats me up and indulges in sexual violence”.
The survey has shown that a vast majority of abused women never seek help from the police or other agencies for help; thus data on violence available from formal institutions are likely to severely underestimate the true magnitude of the problem. Often women feel that there is no alternate option for them but to tolerate and carry on. Fear of backlash and more violence from the perpetrator, stigma and the belief that no one would help, are some of the reasons why women do not report violence.
There are 18 self-help groups (SHGs) which are managing the public distribution system outlets which was a male bastion until now. Over 80% of the members are engaged in various pursuits.
Grass root women leaders participate in Workshops on Safe Space
Eleven tribal leaders participated in the first of its kind, residential workshop in Jamshedpur. It was a new experience for them digging into their past life, relating their joys and sorrows , for which they never had found the time. Their bagful of experiences was loaded with uneasy silence, tears, frustration, stories of deprivation and exploitation. The next session to depict their dreams and aspirations on paper was an enjoyable one. Lata wanted to live in a big house all alone, doing things which she liked. Urmila wanted a life full of freedom. Jaleshwari wanted to become a singer and so on.
The main tools that were used included Graphic representation of five core values that are paramount for us; Happiness mind mapping; Writing an appreciative letter to oneself; Trust Walk; A memorable act which has changed somebody’s life; Most liked quality of fellow participants; Learning from the Bamboo; Way forward etc.
WALK WITH US
At SEEDS, no contribution is small. Become harbingers of change by affirmative action.