DR. MANIBHAI DESAI GAURAV PURASKAR
FOR EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN IN INDIA
Approach
Empowerment of Women cuts across all the programmes of BAIF. An integral component of our poverty alleviation programme, BAIF has given major emphasis to empowerment of women and has also demonstrated the role of women not only in giving a boost to their economic condition but also in preserving our culture and moral values. To ensure participation of illiterate rural women in the mainstream of community development, BAIF has introduced several activities. These include reduction of their drudgery, development of safe potable water sources, installation of handpumps, promotion of kitchen gardens, establishment of fodder and fuel trees in their backyards, installation of ball bearings on grinding stones, preventive health care and promotion of Self Help Groups and Micro-enterprises. BAIF has also been helping them to organise themselves to assess their needs and identify suitable interventions to solve their problems.
In most of the development programmes, even related to the management of natural resources promoted by BAIF, women are being encouraged to form Self Help Groups (SHGs) of 15-20 members to plan their own activities and implement them effectively. SHGs in many locations have come together and formed their own federations. Special efforts are being made for ensuring the membership of women in village level organisations such as watershed committees, village development and pasture committees and Gram Panchayat.
Achievements
With collective decision of women in planning and implementation of various income generation activities and community services such as promotion of functional literacy, preventive health care and gender equity, rural women have ensured economic progress of their members, while developing communal harmony and kinship amongst the families of the SHG members. The participating families have made significant progress even in backward regions of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Presently, the women groups are effectively handling social issues such as infant mortality, dowry and child marriage, family planning, vaccination and health care, prevention of alcohol consumption, etc., in their community.
The impact of women empowerment in the project areas can be seen in the improved socio-economic status of women, increased attendance of children in schools, reduction in sickness incidences, improved livelihood and better quality of life. In the process of developing the community and promoting income generation activities, many rural women have taken up several initiatives and provided leadership to the community, in spite of being illiterate and poor.
Objectives
To recognise the contribution of these Self Help Groups to community development, the BAIF Management has instituted an Annual Award “Dr. Manibhai Desai Gaurav Puraskar” since 1999. The Award comprises of a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and a memento.
Criteria
The groups are recommended for this award based on the following criteria.
* Role of the group in micro-credit
* Type of micro-enterprises taken up
* Contribution of the group to socio-economic empowerment
* Demonstration of local leadership and
* Other initiatives