Awakening at the grassroots

By on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 22:02

Divya Sharma writes about "Jagruti" an NGO working to empower rural women in northern Karnataka

Women empowerment does not happen easily, especially in traditional societies like that of India. It is more so, in case of rural women. Empowerment of women that will have lasting impacts must involve consciousness raising before the social construction of gender, which subordinates women in the family, class, caste, religion, or society.

That exactly is one of the main visions of ‘Jagruti’, a NGO working on rights based and issue based activities at the grassroots level in Dharwad district of Karnataka.

The Spark

It all began when Dr. Gopal Dabade wanted to work in some remote village in North Karnataka as a doctor. He met like-minded people and they shifted base to Dharwad. Today they work with a bunch of villages in Belguam district. At present Jagruti consists of 5 members at the village, 3 at Dharwad and an office assistant. Dr. Gopal Dabade and Sharada Gopal are the brain behind this initiative. Based in Dharwad, they take care of fund raising, planning the activities for the village Self Help Groups (SHGs), workshops, and trainings.

Why at the grass root level?

“Because that’s where maximum work can be done”, replies Dr. Gopal Dabade, one of the founder members of Jagruti. “The struggle for everyday life is very touching”, he adds. 

When they began work, they started with Self-help-groups (SHG). These were groups mainly formed by women. They meet regularly, and during such meetings, the jagruti members are present to guide them. The women collect their savings, deposit in banks, manage their money, and lend it those in need. Their loan repayment is 100%. All the main activities are done by the villagers. Jagruti members help them in giving guidance, and planning the activities.

True to its name, Jagruti – awakening, the villagers are made aware of their basic rights for food, education and health. “We conduct workshops, training sessions and explain each issue to them. “These people so eager to know, learn and implement their learning, it is very heartening” says Sharada Gopal, another active board member of Jagruti. What issues are addressed by Jagruti? Issues like the proper running of Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Anganavadi (Playschool for children), Mid-day meal schemes, Public Distribution System (PDS) and other such basic and key concerns. Though these are government sponsored schemed, it seldom reaches the actual beneficiary, truncated by the bureaucracy. The women groups are now educated about these and they approach the authorities if facilities are not reaching them in time.

They also conduct street-plays, which are enacted by these rural women, to spread a message. Some time back, they had organized a rally in Belguam against female foeticide. (Belguam district has the highest female infanticide numbers in the state.)

And why did they choose women?

“We have practically seen that women are very strong in their basic values. Once convinced of a concept/cause, they are ready to take on anybody. They manage home, husband and children and still have the time, energy and fervor for such community activities. They are highly responsive and extremely responsible. We quickly realised that they are the catalysts for the change we all are merely talking about.” Sharada explains. Women are largely responsible for family and essential agricultural activities. They are also the ones who are exploited the most. It only makes sense to make them aware of their capabilities, their rights to make a better society. Women were encouraged to find time and space for themselves. There was a growing willingness on the part of the group members to approach the Panchayats and Collectors with petitions or grievances, and assert their rights.  And today, few among these village women run their own milk dairies, thus helping some other members of the village community. Slowly the men are coming to terms with these changes and accepting them.

Did you encounter any hostility during your activities?

“Of course, there were many people who did not want us to educate and empower the women. We are able to tackle these elements by detailed explanation of the issue. Mainly, the villagers support us. People power is our strength. So, we need not worry.” Dr. Gopal smiles.

Of late, they are also working on issues of Dalit women, who are the oppressed lot.  And also flesh trade, which is rampant in these areas of North Karnataka. To know more about them visit their website www.jagruti.org

India is still largely a land of villages and Jagruti believes that changes need to happen at the grassroots level, to make any difference.