Political Empowerment of women in Jharkhand. Name of the project: Political Empowerment of women in Jharkhand.

Name of the partner NGO: Mahila Mukti Sanstha (MMS) Name of the partner NGO Project Director: Ms. Deoyani Verma, Secretary, Mahila Mukti Sanstha and Coordinator-Jumav Manch. Project duration (initiation and completion dates): 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2012 Thematic focus : Gender Justice Political Empowerment of Women. Geographic focus (which Indian states): The project would be implemented in 44 Gram Panchayats of 22 blocks in 15 Districts of Jharkhand Target group: Elected women representative and their male counterpart, other interested women from socially excluded groups such as SC, ST and Muslims Budget: INR 1500000 for 2011-12 Introduction: In Jharkhand Panchayat elections has been held after 32 yrs and also this is first election after the formation of Jharkhand state. While in other parts of the country many times similar process of Panchayat election has been carried out. One of major achievement of this election in Jharkhand was for the first time 50% seat has been won by women elected representatives due to 50% reservations. But not much has been done to build the capacity of these women to deliver their role and responsibility efficiently. Strengthening the capacity of these newly elected Panchayat representatives becomes crucial task to support these women to understand and fulfil the roles and responsibilities expected of them. The best part is many leaders who have contested the PRI elections have either won or lost with narrow margin, have been members of these institutions and played critical role within these institutions. Jumav Manch (a state wide network of NGOs working on the issue of gender) has been working with socially excluded groups like SC, ST, minorities etc where they formed various institutions like Pressure Group and Women Resource Group during their previous engagement with Oxfam project on Addressing issues around Violence Again Women.

The projects aims to empower these women representatives and also the other interested women from socially excluded groups (SC, ST, Muslims) to enable them to understand their roles and responsibities; analyse social issues confronting them and participate in the decision making process effectively. This would ensure that socially, economically and politically marginalized women issues are mainstreamed and they are encouraged to challenge the stereotypes and have confidence to be able to ensure their worth at family, society and political field. Thus stereotypes and gender roles be challenged and they be treated as equal citizens. About the Project: Since PRI elections in the state is a long awaited demand fulfilling the aspirations of local self-governance and voice of the people to take decisions in the political empowerment Political empowerment process through this project would attempt in supplementing and strengthening the processes and mechanism to address the issues pertaining to roles and responsibilities and cater to the local capacity needs of the women who have won the election. It would also emphasise on working with the counterpart of these women and the community as a whole on generating awareness around the issues of women political empowerment and build understanding on the importance of women political empowerment. The State government is also serious about the capacity building of downtrodden and weaker groups through various means. The project would attempt to reap out these opportunities to build upon to achieve its larger goal around women political empowerment. Hence advocacy initiatives would be planned at all levels to right from community to state to advocate on the issues and engage with Government to build appropriate linkages al all levels. MMS is implementing this project in partnership with other 21 local NGOs networked as Jumav Manch (a state wide network) in Jharkhand. The network has its presence in all the 24 districts of the state and all the 22 local NGOs are working together as one platform to take up the issues at larger level.

Given this backdrop, Jumav Manch believes that empowerment of women in Political realm will further support these women in positioning themselves as key stakeholders in the local politics. There is a need to work around capacity building initiatives by providing additional training and increasing networking amongst women's organizations in order to empower women to have a voice, secure their place in decision making positions, and increase the quality of their participation in social and political life. The overall Goal of the project is to empower women leaders to exercise their rights in decision making processes and increase the quality of their participation in social and political life. The specific objectives of the project are as follows 1. To encourage, orient and train elected representatives in 44 Gram Panchayats of 22 blocks in 15 districts of Jharkhand on PRI/PESA enabling them to promote womens role in all tiers of PRI 2. To sensitize and mobilize village leaders, members, counterparts particularly of women for Elected proper Representatives and community women

implementation of PRI/PESA in 15 districts 3. To initiate advocacy campaign at different levels panchayat, block, district and state to enhance womens participation in panchayats Results to be achieved

Increased knowledge and awareness among elected representatives and other stakeholders on PRI/PESA Act and womens role in political processes. Increased knowledge and awareness among block level government officials on gender issues and womens role in political processes. Increased womens participation in planning and implementation of different programmes at panchayat level. Increased support from male counterparts of women elected representatives in discharging their role as community leaders. Communities are able to take benefit from the various government schemes and programs. Village plans are developed according to the needs of women in the community.

Prior Achievements: Jumav Manch (a state wide network) in Jharkhand has its presence in all the 24 districts of the state and all the 22 local NGOs are working together as one platform to take up the issues at larger level. It has been instrumental in implementing Oxfam supported programme on Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) for almost a decade and has strong base in all its working areas in Jharkhand. The community based institutions created under these projects have been able to play critical role in generating awareness and addressing VAW issues among the community and effectively taking up the issue at different levels. In the wake of the panchayat election with 50% reservation for women, the members of these institutions took lead to contest elections and most of them won the elections. Their engagement with the project over these years has enabled them to raise issues related to womens empowerment in different forums effectively. With its work around these institutions, the Network has been able to create its own niche in the state and known for its work around gender issues. Over these years they have been also able to develop good working relationship with relevant Government departments and other agencies working on gender issues within and outside the state of Jharkhand.