Objective: Strengthening Seminar's leads to reaffirm what is being learnt and done gradually. The concept of panchayat-mitra is elaborated and explained taking into account the practical aspect. The usefulness of approaching issues as groups and mobilizing women together is the foundation of a strengthening seminar. Essential workings of a panchayat and basic visits to schools, health centers, and meeting the widowed and old aged women of the village are by and large covered during the strengthening seminar. Within the village of Vatika the village volunteers have marshalled their women together to have them speak and help conduct sessions at the seminar.

Learning and establishing that the way to tackle issues in the village is through speaking kindly, helping and participating in the panchayat general meetings by engaging and not feeling shy and not coming off as abrasive or a burden. This form of seminar also involves visits to the facilities nearby, these visits include seeing the schools, health facilities, and meeting with widowed women to understand their needs and their issues, often regarding pension plans.

Strengthening Seminars serve to inform and as well as skill build. Many of the women in the villages do not have experience working in groups with other women. The activities that SIDART team conducts serves to build cooperation via creative group work and encourages the participants to further establish their aim in improving their village together.

Description: The seminar usually starts with a recap of the earlier seminar. The major points of discussion are:

• the power of collective-group action
• the concept of Panchayat Mitra, to have the women speak about their experiences as a mitra as well as plan next steps in coordination with the gram sewak and the panchayat members
• the workings of the health centre and schools
• the next developmental steps that the village needs to take

During the programme the women learn the role of panchayat mitra and understand the functioning of a panchayat. Participating women generate list of issues and areas of improvement in Vatika including health centre and mobilizing more women to fight for higher quality education.