CHITHRA Don Bosco, Chitradurga conducted two days of leadership training for the members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the project Women Empowerment through Collective Action and Networks (WECAN) at its premises on 22 and 23 January 2021. Seventy-five participants from Bochh Borayyanahatti, Muthhayyanahatti, Saslahatti, and Gonuru villages of Chitradurga taluk attended the training. The objective of the training was to empower the women in the community and to create awareness on the prevention of violence against women. The inaugural function was chaired by Fr. Sonychen, Director, CHITHRA Don Bosco in the presence of Ms. Dilshad Unnisa, Penal Advocate cum senior member of the District Legal Services Authority; Fr. Sanjay, Vice Principal, Don Bosco Degree College, Chitradurga; Ms. Shivamma, Teacher, Anganwadi- Bochh Borayyanahatti; Ms. Bharathi, Coordinator, WECAN. The training commenced with the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries and representatives from the participants.
Ms. Dilshad Unnisa took sessions on the prohibition of child marriage, constitutional provisions, entitlements, rights, and welfare of women, also focussing on the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) pension scheme for the senior citizens. The next session was handled by Ms. Lakshmi Bai, Coordinator, District Counselling Centre, Chitradurga who explained in detail the facilities available under the Ujjwala rehabilitation programme and the importance of counselling for victims of domestic violence, trafficking, etc. Thereafter, Ms. Sandhya, Counsellor- Swadhar centre, Chitradurga explained the aims and objectives of Swadhar and Santhwana centres in providing shelter and counselling to victims of atrocities and violence.
The second day of the training focused on the empowerment of women, gender discrimination in the family, and important schemes for women under the Department of Women and Child Development which were handled by Ms. Venkata Rathna, Counsellor, Mahila Samakya, Chitradurga. The sessions included discussions and group activities to explain the topics of the day.
The two-day training concluded after an experience sharing by the participants, where they had the opportunity to interact/consult with the resource persons concerning their issues and problems.
