Gramin Mahila Vikas Sangh, Latur

Location of Marathwada Region

Marathwada Region Comprises of the inland eastern districts in Maharashtra It accounts for 16.84% of the state's population and is home to nearly 30% of the state's Below Poverty Line families. Per capita GDP is Rs 10,373 -- a good 40 per cent below the state's per capita GDP of Rs 17,029 -- and contributes just 8% of the state's industrial output. Literacy rate is the lowest in the state (51.23%, Census 2001). All eight districts figure in the list of the 100 poorest districts in the country. About 98% of agriculture is dry land farming and cotton is the major crop. But the inherent susceptibility of cotton crop to pest and the vagaries of nature make its cultivation a risky affair, resulting in many a farmer falling prey to debt. Perhaps, the most neglected region of Maharashtra (Source: http://www.empowerpoor.org/backgrounder.asp?report=19)

Socio-Cultural Aspects Feudal society - Patriarchy is still very strong in the region Regressive social attitude towards women and depressed classes (Dalits).

Socio-Cultural Aspects One-fifth of Marathwada’s population is ‘dalit’- ‘lowest’ in the social strata, in a caste-ridden society Dalits and women are marginalized both socially and economically Estimated that over 85% of dalits work in the agricultural sector as wage labourers

Personal Journey Kushavarta Bele – Founder member of GMVS Married at the age of 13 Schooling discontinued Life revolved around domestic chores and as a daily wage farm labourer to supplement the family income A desire to complete her school level education and learn more remained suppressed but alive within Kushavarta

Personal Journey Supported by a local schoolteacher, Kushavarta completed her high school braving several odds on the home front Joined a local NGO and worked as a grassroots worker Work involved travel and late hours - ill treatment meted out by her husband and in-laws

Emerging as a Leader Realised the need to address several issues affecting women/dalits at the local level Work at the grassroots had resulted in reaching out to a large number of women / other community members. Resolved local level problems on domestic violence / PDS cards and had the ability to approach Government officials / other NGO networks - developed a good rapport with the community Local people approached her to start an organisation and initiate development activities in the villages of Deoni and Udgir blocks

Establishing GMVS Gramin Mahila Vikas Sanstha (GMVS) was established in 1996 by Kushavarta Bele Objective of implementing locally relevant programmes with a primary focus on dalit and women’s issues Kushvarta Bele with the support of a small team drawn from the community has gradually built the organisation Recognised at the district level for its strong community presence and the voice of dalit and marginalised women

Main Activities Promotion of Self Help Groups Thrift and credit activities at the SHG level and developing linkages with Banks Training workshops for livelihood activities – organic agriculture, animal husbandry and poultry Mobilizing women to resolve cases of domestic violence through community level interventions/family counseling/legal aid Supporting and managing ‘anganwadis’ (play schools)

Coverage Currently the operational area in Udgir and Deoni blocks covers about 100 villages Promoted more than 500 Self Help Groups Involvement of about 12,000 women in various activities Accessed more than Rs. 40 M through different sources of credit to meet their production needs Support from different Government schemes, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Development Support Team

Working with the Community Drawing women from within the community to work as ‘Community organisers / workers’ Training and mentoring undertaken by Kushavarta Bele Women leaders at the village level nurtured to act as first level contact within the community Promotion of village level forums – Self Help Groups / other ad hoc women’s groups to solve burning issues (dowry death / domestic violence / water supply etc ) Holding of Women’s Conventions at the block level Counselling centres – legal aid / awareness on Government Schemes

Empowering women Political participation of women through : Training programmes on roles and responsibilities of Gram Panchayat members, importance of political participation of women and understanding welfare programmes are routed through the Gram Panchayat. Encouraging women to engage in the Committees formed at the village level and address the needs of needy and poor women

Empowering Women Sensitization of community on gender imbalance particularly on son preference at birth / ill effects of female foeticide Village level workshops for adolescent girls to create awareness regarding personal hygiene, nutrition and general health