Gender Self-Learning Programme
An innovative programme of Kudumbashree
The social position of women in Kerala has been in the international limelight portraying the high status of women in the areas of education, health, human development index, low birth rate and high life expectancy. Even the sex ratio of Kerala is worth mentioning (1059 women for 1000 males). Kerala is much more equipped with medical facilities than the rest of the country and 93% of the births in Kerala take place in a medical facility.
A critical evaluation would reveal the fact that in spite of high education the social position of women is very low compared to men. This is well documented in the Economic Review 2006. For example the work participation ratio of women is only 15.3% when women constitute 51.8% of the total population of Kerala. In the case of political field, the representation of women from Kerala is meagre i.e. only 71 representatives altogether in Rajya sabha, Lok sabha, Assembly and Interim elections from the year 1954- 2006. The condition of woman in the employment sector too is pathetic. Majority of the women are engaged in low income generating activities and unorganized sectors, as they are unskilled and the opportunities received are low. Even in family planning programmes the woman bears the responsibility of contraception, though male sterilization is simpler, easier and cost effective. These facts reveal a clear picture of lack of decision-making power and autonomy for women.
Kudumbashree, has been realizing over the years that gender based empowerment is a necessary precondition for the economic empowerment of women. The monthly review meetings of Kudumbashree CBOs and the studies conducted by the mission revealed the status of economically backward women. An in house study on the present situation of micro enterprises exposed the fact that majority of enterprises need back up support for its better functioning. The women entrepreneurs expressed their difficulty in the procurement of raw materials; market availability, technological up gradation etc. They are not aware of the assistance available from the LSGs, public undertakings or other agencies for sustainability. Lack of awareness, lack of knowledge about their rights and lack of courage to bargain constitute their failure rates. These findings of Micro enterprise study paved the way to strengthen Kudumbashree notions that gender empowerment is essential for economic empowerment.
The concept of gender equity and equality should reach the minds of Kudumbashree CBOs to enable them to challenge inequalities and to bring them to the mainstream of society. What Kudumbashree intends is, to sow the seeds of gender equity & equality in the minds of the poor and make them analyze and realize their social space through the power of thinking. It is purely a self-learning mechanism and not a teaching mode for infusing ideas. The positive point is that a women’s life experience is her teacher. She would think through the opportunities received, the support she receives and understand the opportunity gap which exists when compared with men. This self-analysis would mark the beginning of a major social change in the state.
Objectives
1. To create awareness about women empowerment in Kudumbashree CBOs
2. To make them realize their position, rights, equity and equality in families.
3. To help them analyze the gaps exist between men and women in the society based on their experiences.
4. To nurture the talents & skills of women.
5. To help them analyze their space in political and social fields and empower them to bargain their rights to achieve this.
6. To make them aware of their legal rights, eg. Domestic Violence Act.
Organizational Setup for Gender Self Learning Process
1. State level Resource Team- 50
2. District Level Resource team- 280
3. Block Level Resource Team- 6300
4. Panchayat Level Resource Team- 25000
5. NHG Level Facilitators- 180000
6. NHG Level Participants- 38 lakhs
Topics
The topics of Gender Self Learning Programme have been analyzed. Around 24 major topics of Gender Self Learning Programme have been identified and Health becomes the major component. Eg: Nutrition, Adolescent Health, Women & Body, Pregnancy and Health care, Environment and Health care etc.
Kudumbashree is making efforts to make women think about these topics based on their experience, services available for them, and their own living conditions. The whole process of making the women think, analyze the social space and the reasons or the gaps left for their empowerment would help them to empower naturally or indirectly.
Consolidation of experiential learning
Kudumbashree proposes to post the learning’s from the field on to a portal that can be accessed by women facilitators at the panchayat level. This would ensure that learning’s on gender are a two way street, helping to further evolve, modify and adapt the modules in tune with the processes taking place in the field. It would also provide advocacy and rights based groups and individuals an opportunity to understand the dynamics of gender in the community and to support women who are prepared to stand up and challenge unjust systems and practices.