Conscientisation of Rural women on Gender Equality and Equal Access to Entitlements

Two days of training on legal awareness and gender equality for SHG leaders were organised at CHITHRA Don Bosco, Chitradurga on 4 & 5 February 2020, under the Women Empowerment Programme (WEP). The training focused on gender inequalities, its great impact on the lives of rural women, and emerging laws. The inaugural function was presided over by Fr. Sonychen, Director, CHITHRA Don Bosco. Mr. Vishwa Sagar from Vimukthi Vidyasamasthe, and Ms. Dilshad Unnisa, Penal Advocate, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) were the resource persons for the two-day training. Ms. Bharathi, Coordinator, WEP project welcomed the 150 participants and introduced the objectives of the training.

Mr. Vishwa Sagar animated the first day’s sessions focussed on gender inequality, the need for mutual respect to uphold dignity and bring forth hidden capabilities in women, the economic empowerment of women by strengthening their access to property, inheritance and land rights. The activities and discussion-oriented sessions enhanced the thinking capacity of the participants. The resource person explained the difference between gender and sex, gender discrimination at the workplace, in the media, and among family and friends.

On the second day, Ms. Dilshad conducted sessions on legal awareness, the functions of DLSA, and legal aid for women. It was also decided to conduct a special legal aid session at CHITHRA for those who needed redressal of their grievances. Mr. Manjunath, Senior Manager, Selco Solar, Chitradurga, informed the participants about solar products—roti-making machines, sewing machines and milking machines, photocopying and printing machines—that could be used for income generation for the rural women. He also apprised the women about the emerging demand for environment-friendly entrepreneurship, and the advantage of using solar equipment. Ms. Lakshmi, Coordinator, Swanthana Kendra, Chitradurga, explained available services such as CHILDLINE, the women’s police station, and those available at Swanthana Kendra for women. She also educated them about the Child Marriage Prohibition Act. The two-day training concluded with a short evaluation and feedback from the participants.