Strengthening Civic Education in Women

SIDART in collaboration with HSF has been working from the past few years on empowerment of women in rural and semi urban areas by providing them the knowledge to participate actively and meaningfully in the political process, especially at the local self governance of Panchayati Raj System. The purpose is to enable and empower women by providing theoretical and practical training workshops to impart them civic education, make them understand their rights and duties as citizens of India and to increase their knowledge for betterment and improving their life in villages.

On 30 March 2011 experts from SIDART took sessions on civic education and their rights making the women self-reliant in terms of identifying and solving problems on their own. Emphasis was made on the importance of literacy and health related issues. The constitution and functions of Panchayat were discussed in depth. Women were encouraged to speak as a group in Panchayats which will have a bigger impact and timely actions will be taken by the concerned authorities.

Problems in the villages were discussed at length like poor sanitation, dusty roads, and poor disposal of waste water. Ways for better sanitation and clean village were provided. Method of disposing waste water was explained.

Participants discussed how they benefited from the previously conducted strengthening workshops. While sharing their experiences women pointed out that now they have become more confident in attending Panchayat meetings and putting forward their queries. Numbers of women attending the Panchayat meetings have also increased. Women who attend SIDART workshops are no longer bounded by superstitions and myths also make sure that other members of the community are even given equal rights and are uplifted from ignorance. Women now have become more alert about their environment and are determine to use knowledge and logic in their lives.

By the means of such workshops women get the opportunity to share their experiences, receive education and build structures of mutual support. This enables them to engage with confidence in the local governance and political process, become aware of their environment and thus experience themselves as meaningful being in the society.