Mahila Panch
Location
Mahila Panch is a women’s court comprising of 12- 15- rural tribal women farmers and laborers from Tilakwada in Gujarat. Most women, particularly the rural, tribal poor women rarely get heard. Mahila Panch speaks up for women who come. It meets for three days in a month in an open space near a road side in the field office of Vikalp. The way MP is situated, it brings into visibility issues that were considered to be ‘private’ and beyond the state jurisdiction. It advocates for violence free homes, work and other public places, it argues for women’s rights as human rights. It settles the cases with practically no costs. Community women can access the Mahila Panch, feel comfortable in that space, and participate actively to express a choice and take decisions. The name Mahila Panch centers women and when women like them run it, there is no ambiguity in its objective of carrying women’s voices. These resolutions really critique a system that suffers for alack of inclusion of women’s choices in the wider society.
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Maya
Last Name
Sharma
Website
Organization
Vikalp ( Womens group)
Country
India, GJ
Section 2: About Your Organization
Is this initiative/innovation linked to any established organization?
Yes
Organization Name
Vikalp ( Womens group)
Organization Website
Organization Phone
+91 0265 235 2589
Organization Address
E/5 Saptgiri , Akota Opp Taj Hotel. Vadodara 390020
Organization Country
India, GJ
Is your organization a
CSO/NGO
How long has this organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Your idea
Name Your Project
Mahila Panch
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1-5 years
When was the project initiated? or When are you planning to begin?
The project was imitated two years ago in 2007. The emergence of the court was due to our involvement with similar efforts in another part of Vikalp’s constituent areas.
Describe your idea and explain why it is innovative
Mahila Panch is a women’s court comprising of 12- 15- rural tribal women farmers and laborers from Tilakwada in Gujarat. Most women, particularly the rural, tribal poor women rarely get heard. Mahila Panch speaks up for women who come. It meets for three days in a month in an open space near a road side in the field office of Vikalp. The way MP is situated, it brings into visibility issues that were considered to be ‘private’ and beyond the state jurisdiction. It advocates for violence free homes, work and other public places, it argues for women’s rights as human rights. It settles the cases with practically no costs. Community women can access the Mahila Panch, feel comfortable in that space, and participate actively to express a choice and take decisions. The name Mahila Panch centers women and when women like them run it, there is no ambiguity in its objective of carrying women’s voices. These resolutions really critique a system that suffers for alack of inclusion of women’s choices in the wider society.
What kind of beneficiaries is your initiative addressed to?
Women, Girls.
Describe the profile of the beneficiaries of this project
All of the women and men accessing the MP are from tribal, rural villages. Small numbers also come from Muslim and dalit communities as well. Belonging to below poverty households their income on an average ranges between 1000 to 1200 a month. Owning small pieces of land they are able to produce small amounts of grains for family consumption. There is no social security or pension. The majority of them are barely literate; the skills they posses are traditional which makes their employability in the market on low paying jobs. Lack of hospitals, schools industries transport makes daily life hard. Accessibility to various institutions is riddled with barriers at every possible level. The problems center around domestic violence, forced marriages, elopement/kidnappings, rape/sexual assault, child custody, sexual harassment in public places, sexual abuse in families, and property disputes. In the past year, over 40 cases have been heard and resolved.
What is your initiative’s implementation strategy?
Within over arching patriarchal structures the violence that women face is brushed aside as the ‘norm.’ The battering that the wives receive is often described by men as an occasional episode. At times it is explained as the result of drunken behavior. It is perceived as temporary loss of mental balance while in fact it is a misappropriation of male power and privileges. In all the cases it receives, the Mahila Panch engages both parties. The women are encouraged to speak for themselves. The Mahila Panch encourages an open dialogue between the opposing parties. Throughout the processes, the women’s choice is a critical concern of the court. When the parties approach the court, the Mahila Panch undertakes fact finding visits to confirm the facts and analyze the situation from different perspectives. The court even adjourns for such a length of time that may be deemed as appropriate for the woman to reflect and come to terms with the situation, talk through and arrive at a decision. As words get around people reach the place which meets their needs most.
In your opinion, what are the main barriers or obstacles in connection with this theme?
The sheer inaccessibility of getting heard/justice through the mainstream structures. Increasing disparity between the genders, rural-urban, the poor- rich makes it socially and economically harder for the poor and among them the women to get heard. The subordination of women within patriarchal structures allows for the trivialization of woman as subjects. Consequently, their voices and perspective find no legitimacy socially, allowing for legal recourse to be impacted by this attitude. The implementation of law is tediously long drawn process, expensive, and results are uncertain.
What type of partnerships you have or intend to generate strategic alliances with for the development of this initiative? Choose all that apply
State departments or areas, International organizations, Non-Government organizations, Universities, Other.
Describe with whom you have generated these alliances and how
The police, the sarpanch and the community leaders, teachers anganwadi workers and the Courts. Often when the other party does not pay heed, filing first information reports (FIR) is enough to make them approach the MP for negotiations. Sarpanch and other leaders are involved during fact finding and when settlements are reached. Vikalp is involved particularly during certain cases. As part of on-going networking, Vikalp’s efforts to rally together on the national and state level highlight these issues. With universities and schools as attempts to reach important stake holders.
What are the main results generated and/or expected to generate by means of this initiative?
Increased impowerment among women; specifically, giving the women an ability to speak up against violence that they face at home. With an increased voice, MP becomes more and more respected among the community members, and their decision upheld. Furthermore, men will change attitudes because of shame brought to their families if involved in a case.
What is the main impact that your initiative might generate?
Women get a safe space to share/talk of their perspectives and resolve issues in a way that prioritizes their choice. The sheer visibility of the process sows seeds of change carries powerful message of what women can do. Its’ news spreads and women come to it
This Entry is about (Issues)
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 | mayasharma updated this Competition Entry. - 699 days ago |
| mayasharma submitted this idea. - 699 days ago |
