SWISSAID‘s Work on the Right to Land and Livelihood International Mobilisation Conference on „The Right to Land and Livelihood“– September 2011
Content of presentation 1.SWISSAID‘s policy / strategy on land rights and control over natural ressources 2.SWISSAID India - approach to ensure land rights for Dalits and Adivasi to derive sustainable livelihood 3.SWISSAID's work with Adivasi on claiming the Forest Rights Act - Mendha Lekha Case 4.Control over land - impact on women 5.SWISSAID's support to Jan Satyagraha 2012
SWISSAID‘s policy / strategy on land rights and control over natural resources Work on land rights and control over natural resources as strategy which contributes to the achievement of SWISSAID's overall vision on improved Livelihood Security and Food Sovereignty
SWISSAID India - approach to ensure land rights for Dalits and Adivasi and secure livelihoods The Indian legislation and the state level acts are the basis for the work on land rights Pro-poor legislations and acts are not seriously implemented SWISSAID and its partner organisations help Dalit and Adivasi organisations to understand the existing legal provisions (acts) and rights and assist the marginalized people in the enactment of the acts Individual land ownership titles are issued in the name of both, husband and wife
SWISSAID India - approach to ensure land rights for Dalits and Adivasi and secure livelihoods Gains of the struggle for land needs to transform into viable economic options Linking to Government Schemes (NREGA, Special Component Plan, Tribal Sub-Plan) SWISSAID’s support of additional livelihood activities and capacity building, e.g. ecological agriculture
SWISSAID's work with Adivasi on claiming the Forest Rights Act Forest Rights Act (2006) Ownership rights over land cultivated by tribal communities Ownership rights over non-timber forest produce and usufructs rights over grazing areas Relief and development rights in case of displacement Forest management rights
Mendha Lekha
Control over land - impact on women Case of Manisha Watkar, Village Bopapur, District Vardha, Maharashtra: –Economic independence –Personality development – increase in confidence, courage, skills, information, self esteem –Leadership development - participation in decision-making, enhanced decision-making skills –Change in the status of women in the family as well as in the community –Security, reduction of domestic violence
SWISSAID's support to Jan Satyagraha 2012 Regular exchange and networking of organisations working on the same issues, including private investors, essential for success in securing land rights SWISSAID partners in India could join Jan Satyagraha 2012 In Switzerland: Joint public relation work