Empowering Rural Women Through Promotion of Women Rights - Advancement For Gender Equality In India

Project Summary: Empowering Rural Women through Rights Awareness

In rural & Peri urban areas, women's rights awareness is a crucial but often overlooked issue. Many Indian customs restrict women's equal access to land, property, and housing. This lack of awareness about women's basic rights perpetuates societal problems. While women play a significant role in economic development, their participation is hindered by familial dominance. Furthermore, violence against women is on the rise, including issues like unequal pay, dowry-related abuses, and the absence of dignity within families.

The United Nations' Fifth Goal emphasizes that "Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls" are not merely goals in themselves but also keys to sustainable development, economic growth, and peace and security.

Women in rural & peri urban areas are often unaware of their rights and become dependent on their families. They suffer not only from economic poverty but also from 'information poverty' regarding their rights. Although women have made strides in securing their rights over the years, there are still places, particularly in the areas where we work with Self Help Groups, such as Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu, where women struggle to exercise their rights due to a lack of awareness about laws protecting them.

WEEDS was founded as a society after witnessing violence against women by drunken husbands in a village called Gerugambakkam. Over the past 30 years, WEEDS has primarily focused on empowering women by forming Self-Help Groups and promoting the social well-being of women. Their mission is to ensure respect for Women's Rights at home, in the workplace, and within society. Despite progress, women are often treated as second-class citizens, facing issues like sexual assaults, unequal access to work and education, spousal abuses, and deprivation of their rights.

WEEDS aims to create a more just social order by eliminating gender exclusions and promoting an environment that ensures equity between women and men. They do so through universal principles of human rights and women's rights, encouraging participation in decision-making processes.

Target Beneficiaries:

This program aims to create awareness among Self-Help Group women from villages in Kancheepuram district.

Program Aim:

The program aims to educate women on nine important rights and laws in India, empowering them to advocate for their rights effectively. These include:

-Right to Maintenance
-Right to Equal Pay
-Right to Dignity and Decency
-Right against Domestic Violence
-Rights at the Workplace
-Right Against Dowry
-Right to Free Legal Aid
-Right to Private Defense/Self-defense
-Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act

By imparting knowledge about these rights and laws, women can boldly address any discrepancies they face. The training sessions will be conducted among Self-Help Group women for two hours per session. The program targets SHG women and encourages them to involve other local women interested in participating. Training sessions will be held at the convenience of the SHG women's house premises/terrace to reduce hall rental costs.

Budget:

Trainer Honorarium for 1 program : USD 25 / Rs. 2000
Refreshment & Lunch for Participants: USD 1.5 / Rs. 120 (per attendee)
Program coordination / Travel conveyance : USD 15 / Rs. 1200

Sponsorship to conduct 1 Training program: USD 115

Total Project Budget: USD 3331 / Rs.2,68,575 (Approx)

Donors can support the program through various means, such as My Rewards, matching grants, volunteering donations/rewards, cause cards, employer incentive grants, etc. Spreading the word about this cause among peers, families, and friends can also make a significant impact.

Thank you for your support!