Be Good. Do Good. Contents

Transcription

1 ABSTRACT Project Shakti is a CSR initiative of McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. to empower girls and women to enhance their options of alternate livelihoods and bring positive changes in their lives for a better tomorrow. The project is designed and implemented by Arupa Mission Research Foundation. Soft Skill Training and Empowering Women April 2017 to June 2017 PROJECT SHAKTI Empowerment of Girls and Women

2 Contents Executive Summary... i Background...1 About Project Shakti...3 Goals and Objectives...3 Compliance...4 Target Audience/ stakeholders: Rural...4 Approach and Methodology...4 Key Findings Conclusion Recomendations Be Good. Do Good.

3 Executive Summary Background McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. as part of its CSR initiatives along with its implementation partner Arupa Mission Research Foundation identified Baliyasan village of Baliyasan Panchayat, Mehesana district, Gujarat (India) for implementing socially responsible initiatives and transformation the lives of women and girls. Key problems were identified using scientific methods of Primary and Secondary Research and Participatory Rural Appraisal. To resolve issues that undermined the capacities of women and girls and their very existence, need based interventions were designed and positive results were seen. Some of the key issues identified included: - A negative sex ratio in the village indicating purposeful elimination of females before being born and high levels of violence. - High girl child dropouts from school - Lack of confidence, voice, employability, participation in decision making processes among girls and women and suppression Thus Project Shakti was based on the premise that by creating an enabling environment for vulnerable and marginalized women and girls to realize their full potential and prepare them to step outside their homes, take up jobs with confidence, by improving job related skills and productivity, there would be overall change or transformation in the community with regard to access to their fundamental and human rights as well as change in the social conditioning of the community to transform into a gender friendly environment. Additionally, this would also lead to reducing female feticide and improving the child sex ratio as well as the sex ratio in general thus reducing violence and empowering women. Skill development is a requirement which may lead to enha nced access to alternate livelihoods and reduction in hunger and thus reduced migration and child labour too. Project Shakti is a first step towards achieving this as well as ending various forms of Violence against Women and Girls and building their confidence. Goals and Objectives The overarching goal of Project Shakti is empowering and enhancing soft skills, knowledge and confidence of girls & women through capacity development interventions, influence women and girls to stand against any form of violence. The objectives of Project Shakti is: a) Enhance soft skills of Women and Girls to take up Vocational Skills in future so that they are employable or can be confident of being entrepreneurs. b) To create community level change agents who are capable of influencing the community to rid of any form of violence against girls and women and gain knowledge of their rights and safety. More families enjoy lives free from violence. Compliance The objectives mentioned are aligned to the Schedule VII, New Company's Act 2013 (ii) Promoting education, including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills especially among children, women, elderly, and the differently abled and livelihood enhancement projects; (iii) Promoting gender equality, empowering women, setting up homes and hostels for women and orphans; setting up old age homes, day care centres and such other facilities for senior citizens and measures for reducing inequalities faced by socially and economically backward groups; i

4 The objectives are aligned to the company s CSR Policy s clause on building Social and Human capital. It is also aligned to the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme of the Government of India. Target Audience/ stakeholders: Rural - Girl Child laborers, School dropouts, School and college going girls - Women of all castes and economic status - Differently Abled Girls/ Women - Below Poverty Line Category Girls/ Women - Daily wage Labourer - Girls/ Women - Marginal Workers -Girls/Women - Agricultural labourers/ crop sharers - Girls/Women - Small and Marginal farmers Girls/Women Approach and Methodology The approach was to develop a framework for results focused capacity development and the second was the use of the framework for Theory of Change on tackling Violence against Women and Girls. An attempt was made to identify what would be relevant, efficient, effective, and sustainable and impact oriented for developing capacities of Women and Girls. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for the project including PRA exerci ses, Focus Group Discussions for need assessment and key research questions. Selection Criteria for target audience included: a) Willingness to understand and undergo training on key subjects on a continuous basis b) Age group of 13 to 18 years for Adolescent girls and 19 to 49 years for women (reproductive age in India is years as such) c) Preference to girls and women who were below poverty line and had less chances of being exposed to any training, access to knowledge d) Government Women Functionaries responsible for health of infants, children, girls and women such as ASHA and ICDS workers Methodology included: i) Secondary research and designing of the ToC based on key research questions and possible indicators ii) Need assessment through Focus Group Discussions and Secondary research iii) Stakeholder consultation: A primary discussion about the goals, objectives, methodology and tools that would be initiated with the following: - McCain, CSR Team, National- goals, objectives, methodology and tools - McCain, CSR team, Gujarat- goals, objectives, methodology and tools - District Collector, Mehasana- goals, objectives, methodology and tools, selection of school, village and stakeholder - Selected Panchayat- goals, objectives, methodology and tools, selection of school, village and stakeholder, implementation iv) Identification and Mobilisation of Trainees- Participatory and scientific tools were used for identification v) Developing Training Manuals: Training modules will be developed for the training programmes mentioned below: Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Girls Prevention of Violence against Women Knowledge of Constitutional, Legal Rights and Schemes for girls and women Basic Managerial Skills for Girls and Women Personality Development, Communication Skil ls for Girls and Women Basic Financial Literacy for Girls and Women and how to create a business plan Making men gender sensitive ii

5 Stress and Depression Management Safety Drills and Practice for protection Convergence with the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme and the initiatives of Chief medical District Officer Enhancing skills of the Panchayat to develop a Gram Panchayat development Plan as well as be inclusive to voices of women and other vulnerable people Certification for women and girls with regard to s oft skills vi) Conduct of Training Programmes: Capacity building on subjects mentioned in the objectives vii) Workshop: A workshop was organized under McCain s banner to felicitate women and Girls and for them to share their learnings Key interventions and achievements: Expected - Capacity, skill development of a total 100 girls and women on mentioned subjects women leaders as change agents - Participation of 10 members from the Gram Panchayat for training on Micro Planning for the Village Key findings/ Achieved - A high demand for the training programme with an escalation on number of participants from 100 to 142 Regular participants - 8 girls and women were irregular participants and attended some of the training programmes - 20 Change Agents including 10 adolescent girls and 10 women - Participation of 50 persons including 10 Gram Panchayat members and functionaries, ASHA workers, ICDS workers and 20 Change Agents selected by the trainees themselves and some men from the village - Convergence with Government - Convergence with Beti Bachao Scheme of Government of Mehsana - CDMO and Health Counsellors - Demand for training on how to - Formation of 7 Self Help Groups make a business plan - Demand from women Training on how a self-help group functions and way forward - Demand from women on training on How to earn through micro credit activities - Empowerment of the 142 trainees - Training on Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Girls - Prevention of Violence against Women - Knowledge of Constitutional, Legal Rights and Schemes for girls and women - Basic Managerial Skills for Girls and Women - Personality Development, Communication Skills for Girls and Women - Basic Financial Literacy for Girls and Women and how to create a business plan In addition to those that were planned based on FGDS and secondary research- on demand for additional training - How to create a Business Plan - Making men gender sensitive - Stress and Depression Management - Safety Drills and Practice for protection - Convergence with the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme and the initiatives of Chief medical District Officer - Enhancing skills of the Panchayat to develop a Gram Panchayat development Plan as well as be inclusive to voices of women and other vulnerable people iii

6 - At least 50% would be aware of constitutional, legal rights and schemes - 90% were made Awareness of constitutional, legal rights and schemes and human rights issues and that violence was not to be accepted. This proportion was not aware of the same. - Training 100% received training on Training on Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Girls - Prevention of Violence against Women - Knowledge of Constitutional, Legal Rights and Schemes for girls and women - Basic Managerial Skills for Girls and Women - Personality Development, Communication Skills for Girls and Women - Basic Financial Literacy for Girls and Women and how to create a business plan - Stress and Depression Management Training - 25% of the 115 women and girls were found to be undergoing depression. - From among the 25% - 18 were married and 11 were unmarried LEVEL OF DEPRESSION NO. OF UNMARRIED WOMEN Mild mood disturbance 12 4 Borderline clinical depression 2 1 Moderate depression 3 3 NO.OF MARRIED WOMEN Severe depression 1 2 Extreme depression 0 1 TOTAL Conclusion Secondary research, and findings from focus group discussion, baseline and counselling sessions with women and girls indicated early marriage, early drop out from schools for girls, high levels of violence, female feticide and the lack of a vision for a better tomorrow and limited employability skills. Gender discrimination was high. The growing number of industries around Baliyasan also provides scope in increasing income of households, however, the prevalence of adverse social life impacting women and girls negatively, indicates that such income is of no use to the households. Given these facts, McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. and it s CSR implementing partner Arupa Mission Research Foundation designed a set of training programmes to create community level change agents who would influence the community to rid of any form of violence against girls and women, steps to enhance soft skills of Women and Girls to be more employable or be entrepreneurs. More households would enjoy lives free from violence. As a result, the demand to learn new subjects, the demand to be leaders to bring in transformation and the high demand from more and more women for training indicates that the objectives of this pro gramme which was to empower and enhance soft skills, knowledge and confidence of girls & women through capacity development initiatives has been successful. The other success factor for these initiatives is the participation of the Panchayat (local governance body), their willingness to understand gaps in their village development plans and need to be gender sensitive. Convergence with the District Collector s office and the CDMO s office for creating awareness on schemes and also participating in lectures and demonstrating was successful too. It was found that the Government was concerned about female feticide and skewed child sex ratio of the village and district as such and was willing to join hands. Since this is a district marked by the Government of India for addressing issues around adverse child sex ratio and its impacts, the success of the current programme has created the scope for upscaling initiatives as well as taking the current initiatives to a new level. iv

7 Recomendations Based on the findings from the project intervetions, voices demand of of women and girls, recomendations from trainers, Arupa Mission Research Foundation s senior advisors, key Government functionaries, panchayat members, the Collector of the district and the CDMO of the district, the following recommendations are made: A. Undertake an Impact Assessment after three months to assess the status of the training programme using scientific methods and tools. B. Refresher Training Programmes on key subjects (financial literacy and how to make a business plan, prevention of violence, Government Schemes, personality development and communication skills) and Covering more number of trainees for the core objectives including training for boys and men on prevention of violence, personality development and communication skills. C. Instituional Strengthening of the group of Change Agents and Self Help Groups: o Training on groups functioning and stregthening o Training on saving and micro credit activities o Training on starting small enterprise and key economic activities o Group solidarity o Training Change Agents to be future resource persons and partners for viggilance at the community level, volunteerism, planning, collective voice, conducting social audit and monitoring D. Facilitation in convergence with Government Schemes such as Mission Managalam, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, CDMO s office for health related isues, Department of Horticulture and Agriculture, ITIs for non farm training on businesses of different nature and other schemes. E. Training on and seed money as loan/ rotation to start small busi ness. As expressed by women they would be interested in opening beauty parlors, animal husbandry, teaching, being doctors, tailoring, and any kind of business, government jobs or any work which would fetch them some income. 116 participants mentioned they wanted to engage in either animal husbandry, nursing, cooking and making food products, tailoring or any suitable work. Accordingly, seed money would be given as loan to start select activities. F. Ensuring gender inclusive village plans in detail for at least 10 days so that entire population of the village is covered and the plan is linked to schemes and can be shared with the Government for support and convergence v

8 Project Shakti: Empowerment of Girls and Women Background McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. as part of its CSR initiatives wished to bring transformation in the lives of women and girls living in India. Believing that social responsibility is not just limited production and technicalities, there was a strong desire to do well for other, to be good and do good by being socially responsible towards the vulnerable. Some key concerns and issues were identified through scientific methods. To resolve these issues that were undermining the capacities of women and girls and their very existence, need based interventions were designed and positive results were seen. Through secondary research and issues that came to light Baliyasan village of Baliyasan Panchayat, Mehesana district, Gujarat (India) was selected for socially responsible initiatives. The following section is the background to the issues, concerns and problems identified which laid the foundation of designing Project Shakti in Baliyasan Village. Based on the declining child sex ratio of India which is as low as 919 in 2011 from 976 in 1961, the Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development has indicated that this is an alarming indicator for women disempowerment and also indicates pre-birth discrimination through gender biased sex selection and post birth discrimination against girls. 3 Child Sex Ratio may defined as the number of female children per thousand male children in the age group 0 6 years in a human population. To tackle this situation of declining Child Sex Ratio the Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme in 100 gender critical districts of the country with key activities for girl child survival, protection and education. The overall goal of the programme is to celebrate the girl child, enable her education, prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, ensure survival and protection, and ensure the child s education through a communication campaign and multi sectoral action in 100 pilot districts across all States and Union Territories of the country. The gender critical districts in the State of Gujarat include the following and Mehsana is among the 100 such districts : 1 CSR - Child Sex Ratio

9 Child Sex Ratio Gender Critical Districts of Gujarat (Child Sex Ratio) District Census 2001 Census 2011 Surat Mehesana Gandhinagar Ahmadabad Rajkot Gujarat India Source: Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India 4 Our secondary research indicated a negative child sex ratio in Mehesana district as well a higher preference for the male child, the prevalence of negative sex selected social practices and differentiation between the male and female child. This was the reason for selection of the district of Mehesana for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions. Further, although Surat as a lower child sex ratio, McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. wished to take up the project in the district where their factory was located. The society in Mehesana has been found to be highly patriarchal where boys are preferred over girls and opportunities for making a living are not equal. In general, Census 2011 indicated that Sex Ratio in Mehsana, stood at 926 per 1000 male compared to 2001 census figure of 927 (an increase in gap between male and female population). The average national sex ratio i n India is 940 as per latest reports of Census 2011 Directorate. The literacy rate in rural areas of Mehsana district is % as per census data 2011 Gender wise, male and female literacy stood at and percent respectively which is considerably good. But it sets alarm bells because in spite of literacy rate being considerably good child sex ratio and sex ratio in general of the district is poor and declining which means violence against women and girls is independent of the level of education in the society. But what was also alarming was the declining child sex ratio of Baliyasan Village of Mehsana Taluka/Block, Mehsana district and its literacy rate. Baliyasan Village Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) Year Source: 2011 Census data and Lynch PHC Data of 2014, 2015,

10 The clear indication of a declining child sex ratio indicates sex selected practices in Baliyasan Village.Further, the drop in child sex ratio points towards discrimination before birth, gender biased sex selection and post birth discrimination against girls. Such a scenario has adverse socio-economic consequences because it contributes to increased violence against girls and women impacting household earning, utilization of earning for wellbeing and limiting economic activities of women, creating a higher dependency ratio, cr eating stress, depression and health and nutrition issues. Again, the literacy rate of Baliyasan Village is 74.81% much less than that of Mehsana district (81.97 %) as a whole and Gujarat as such (78.03%). Female literacy rate is much lower in Baliyasan village (61.69%). The low literacy rates, it is evident that employability of women is low. Given such background it was decided that Baliyasan village may be selected for CSR interventions. Other reasons for selection of Baliyasan village for CSR interven tions include proximity to the Company in terms of distance, willingness of women to participate in CSR activities to bring transformation in their own lives and a limited budget for feasible initiatives. The idea was also to start small and explore whether the interventions can be scaled up. Also, an attempt was made for employee engagement in CSR initiatives directly along with the civil society partner for implementation. About Project Shakti In India, the word Shakti is derived from the Sanskrit word Shakt which means to be able in other words power or empowerment. Given that there was a critical need to empower girls and women of Baliyasan village to be able to understand that discrimination and violence against girls and women was wrong, the need for being able to step out of the social conditioning and manipulation of their community with respect to typical gender roles which curtailed their fundamental human rights to be educated, to be equal 5, to be treated with dignity and the right to liberty 6, to be able to choose a profession of their choice 7, to not to be discriminated against 8, Project Shakti was designed. The design of Project Shakti was based on the premise that by creating an enabling environment for vulnerable and marginalized women and girls to realize their full potential and prepare them to step outside their homes and to take up jobs with confidence, by improving job related skills and productivity, there would be overall change or transformation in the community with regard to access to their fundamental and human rights as well as change in the social conditioning of the community to transform into a gender friendly environment. Additionally this would also lead to reducing female feticide and improving the child sex ra tio as well as the sex ratio in general thus reducing violence and empowering women. Skill development is a requirement which may lead to enhanced access to alternate livelihoods and reduction in hunger and thus reduced migration and child labour too. Project Shakti is a first step towards achieving this as well as ending various forms of Violence against Women and Girls and building their confidence. Goals and Objectives The overarching goal of Project Shakti is empowering and enhancing soft skills, knowledge and confidence of girls & women through capacity development interventions, influence women and girls to stand against any form of violence. 5 Article 14, Constitution of India 6 Article 21, Constitution of India 7 Article19 (1 g), Constitution of India 8 Article 15, Constitution of India 3

11 The objectives of Project Shakti is: c) Enhance soft skills of Women and Girls to take up Vocational Skills in future so that they are employable or can be confident of being entrepreneurs. d) To create community level change agents who are capable of influencing the community to rid of any form of violence against girls and women and gain knowledge of their rights and safety. More families enjoy lives free from violence. Compliance The objectives mentioned are aligned to the Schedule VII, New Company's Act 2013 (ii) Promoting education, including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills especially among children, women, elderly, and the differently abled and livelihood enhancement projects; (iii) Promoting gender equality, empowering women, setting up homes and hostels for women and orphans; setting up old age homes, day care centres and such other facilities for senior citizens and measures for reducing inequalities faced by socially and economically backward groups; The objectives are aligned to the company s CSR Policy s clause on building Social and Human capital. It is also aligned to the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme of the Government of India. Target Audience/ stakeholders: Rural - Girl Child laborers, School dropouts, School and college going girls - Women of all castes and economic status - Differently Abled Girls/ Women - Below Poverty Line Category Girls/ Women - Daily wage Labourer - Girls/ Women - Marginal Workers -Girls/Women - Agricultural labourers/ crop sharers - Girls/Women - Small and Marginal farmers Girls/Women Approach and Methodology Empowerment is variously conceptualized as a process, an end-state, and a capacity (Kabeer, 2001; Malhotra, 2002; Alsop et al., 2005; Martinez, 2006). It is generally accepted however that efforts to measure women s empowerment need to consider different levels (micro/macro, individual/collective), different spheres (economic, political, social), different temporal scales (often beyond the lifetime of a single programme) and must be sensitive to social context. Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, Project Shakti was designed on the basis of secondary literature available on critical issues such as sex ratio and education, demand from the community (key stakeholders) based on their current situation and need as well as the need for McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. to be socially responsible to the immediate community it was linked with. The design could be coined as exploratory in nature because although it aims at increasing knowledge, awareness and capacities and empowering women and girls, it again has the scope to gain familiarity, increase understanding, and to help to formulate better program services. 4

12 The approach to Project Shakti was based on two approaches. The first approach was to develop a framework for results focused capacity development 9 and the second was the use of the framework for Theory of Change on tackling Violence against Women and Girls. 10 An attempt was made to identify what would be relevant, efficient, effective, and sustainable and impact oriented for developing capacities of Women and Girls. 9 Guide to Evaluating Capacity Development Results (a collection of guidance notes to help development practitioners and evaluators assess capacity development efforts, The World Bank and The World Bank Institute, Violence Against Women and Girls, CHASE Guidance Note Series, Guidance Note 3, Guidance on Monitoring and Evaluation for Programming on Violence Against Women a nd Girls, May 2012, A DFID Practice Paper and B) Guide to Evaluating Capacity Development Results (a collection of guidance notes to help development practitioners and evaluators assess capacity development efforts, The World Bank and The World Bank Instit ute,

13 Results Focused Capacity Development Strengthened Stakeholder ownership at the community level Development Goal/ Super Impact Improved Sex Ratio Increased efficiency of convergence with policies and schemes Changes in Institutional Capacity Areas Resources Financial Human Training and capacity building inputs (Provided by Arupa Mission Research Foundation) Infrastructure ( McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. and Govt. of Gujarat Primary School Outcomes Agents of Change Reduction in Violence against Women Increase in women and girls being employable/entrepreneurs Raised awareness Enhanced skills Improved consensus and team work Strengthened coalitions Enhanced networks New Implementati on know how Training and Capacity Building Initiatives/Activities (McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. and Arupa Mission Research Foundation) Capacity Development Interventions 6

14 Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for the project including PRA exercises, Focus Group Discussions for need assessment. Ethical considerations such as privacy and safety of survivors or those reporting from the community were taken into consideration. For developing the Theory of Change Framework (ToC) in terms of Capacity Development, Empowerment and enhancing knowledge and soft skills the following were id entified: Problems Barriers Intervention Output Outcome Impact Super Impact The current initiatives however are up to the level of outputs. The expected outcomes, impact and super impact would be visible after a minimum period of three months or so for some indicates, 6 months for others and a year for some. Selection Criteria for target audience included: e) Willingness to understand and undergo training on key subjects on a continuous basis f) Age group of 13 to 18 years for Adolescent girls and 19 to 49 years for women (reproductive age in India is years as such) g) Preference to girls and women who were below poverty line and had less chances of being exposed to any training, access to knowledge h) Government Women Functionaries responsible for health of infants, children, girls and women such as ASHA and ICDS workers Methodology included: viii) Secondary research and designing of the ToC based on key research questions and possible indicators 7 ix) Need assessment through Focus Group Discussions and Secondary research x) Stakeholder consultation: A primary discussion about the goal s, objectives, methodology and tools that would be initiated with the following: - McCain, CSR Team, National- goals, objectives, methodology and tools - McCain, CSR team, Gujarat- goals, objectives, methodology and tools - District Collector, Mehasana- goals, objectives, methodology and tools, selection of school, village and stakeholder - Selected Panchayat- goals, objectives, methodology and tools, selection of school, village and stakeholder, implementation xi) Identification and Mobilisation of Trainees- Participatory and scientific tools were used for identification xii) Developing Training Manuals: Training modules will be developed for the training programmes mentioned below: Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Girls

15 Prevention of Violence against Women Knowledge of Constitutional, Legal Rights and Schemes for girls and women Basic Managerial Skills for Girls and Women Personality Development, Communication Skills for Girls and Women Basic Financial Literacy for Girls and Women and how to create a business plan Making men gender sensitive Stress and Depression Management Safety Drills and Practice for protection Convergence with the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme and the initiatives of Chief medical District Officer Enhancing skills of the Panchayat to develop a Gram Panchayat development Plan as well as be inclusive to voices of women and other vulnerable people Certification for women and girls with regard to soft skills xiii) Conduct of Training Programmes: Capacity building on subjects mentioned in the objectives xiv) Workshop: A workshop was organized under McCain s banner to felicitate women and Girls and for them to share their learnings The approach also includes key research questions, outcome indicators, process indicators and impact indicators which are linked to the current objectives as given in the section below: 8

16 Key Research Questions and Indicators for the Current Objectives Key Research Questions Outcome Indicators Process Indicators Impact Indicators Whether or not what is to be achieved has been achieved in terms of increasing awareness and - Willingness of Women and Girls to be Change Agents for collective voice against violence and female feticide knowledge on prevention of violence and a gender sensitive community - Willingness as well as participation with the Panchayat for making village plans gender inclusive Measuring the effectiveness of steps taken to address issues around VAW and violation of human rights How much of the observed change in outcome indicators can be attributed to interventions Proportion of Women and Girls attending Training Programmes on 9 key subjects- -Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Girls -Prevention of Violence against Women -Knowledge of Constitutional, Legal Rights and Schemes for girls and women -Basic Managerial Skills for Girls and Women -Personality Development, Communication Skills for Girls and Women -Basic Financial -Literacy for Girls and Women and how to create a business plan -Making men gender sensitive -Stress and Depression Management - Safety Drills and Practice for protection - Proportion of women and girls agreeing to be Change Agents - Number of Self Help Groups formed for economic independence - Proportion of Women and Girls Aware of Legal, Constitutional Rights and Schemes 9

17 Results Based Theory of Change (ToC) for Community Level Transformation Super Goal Increased Employability of Girls and Women, Reduced Female Feticide, Reduced Dropouts from Schools (girls) Super Access to Human rights by women and girls Impacts Impacts Access to social Change in knowledge of protection laws Outreach services centered around the woman and girls Outcom es Outputs Changed conservative and limiting policy environment to an enabling environment where women find confidence in seeking justice, efficient policy instruments 1 training programme on develop Gender inclusive Gram Panchayat Development Plan including PRA exercises such as social and natural maps, transect walks, plan development and with participation of PRI functionaries and change agents identified during the training programme Awareness of laws Training to women on 9 key subjects- - Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Girls -Prevention of Violence against Women -Knowledge of Constitutional, Legal Rights and Schemes for girls and women -Basic Managerial Skills for Girls and Women -Personality Development, Communication Skills for Girls and Women Change in attitude towards VAW and Knowledge of laws related to VAW and Domestic Violence. Reduced VAW and reduction in female feticide Increased awareness of laws; Skill improvement in reduction of VAW and Girls. Increased proactive support to women and girls by community and collective voice against any form of discrimination or violence A pool of 20 Change agents- including 10 adolescent girls and 10 women the trainings forward to other households of the village Training Manuals developed including participatory exercises 10 Socio-economic Development of Women and girls Economic Independence women of Economic Independence of women Increase in income 1 training programme on how to form Self Help Groups and how to engage in micro enterprises for earning a better living Livelihood activities/ Income generating activities Training Formation of 7 Self Help Groups Women living a life of dignity and availing rights Change in attitude of society, institutions, functionaries and women themselves towards VAW and Domestic Violence IEC and BCC material created Capacity Building and Training Knowledge of supportive services in community, civil society, institutions and among functionaries Provision of need based support services through government as well as community based organisations -Convergence with the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme and the initiatives of Chief medical District Officer

18 Results Based Theory of Change (ToC) for Community Level Transformation Intervent ions Barriers Problem Capacity Building of Panchayati Raj Institution Functionaries on how to develop Gender inclusive Gram Panchayat Development Plan Lack of understanding on gender inclusive planning for the village by the Panchayati Raj Institution and lack of outreach by Government on schemes for empowering women and girls and for addressing issues relating to violation of the Rights of Women and Girls because of Gender based Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic Violence in particular -Basic Financial - Literacy for Girls and Women and how to create a business plan -Making men gender sensitive -Stress and Depression Management -Safety Drills and- Practice for protection Awareness programmes, Social drives, Videos and short film screening in community Dominant socio-cultural norms (values/beliefs/ attitude/behaviour / practices) which provides power to males and gives scope for impunity, scope for violation of the rights and dignity of women thus making them vulnerable. Social conditioning where even women influence women for female feticide Capacity Building and Training Measures for Women and Girls Capacity Building and Training Need IEC and BCC Strategy Training, manuals developed along with participatory exercises Lack of or limited knowledge of roles and responsibilities of Government functionaries and schemes for women and girls at the community level including women, girls Awareness and sensitization on welfare schemes imparted to girls and women Limited or no access to socio-economic empowerment or access to basic services and amenities- such as health, education, social security, welfare measures, protection etc. Awareness and sensitization on welfare schemes imparted to girls and women through training Lack of or limited knowledge of laws related to VAW at the community level, level of the civil society as well as the level of service providers Stakeholder consultations and convergence with Government Functionaries and Departments running various schemes Lack of or limited knowledge of support services related to VAW at the community level, level of the civil society as well as the level of service providers The violation of the Rights of Women and Girls because of Gender based Violence and Discrimination, Against Women and Girls, Domestic Violence, High level of substance abuse by boys and men, in particular caused by individuals, families, communities and institutions, which negatively impact the lives of women and girls as well as livelihoods, physical and psychological wellbeing, thus limiting their access to socioeconomic growth and development and overall quality of lives. Poor sex ratio, early dropout from school by girls and female feticide 11

19 Key Findings Key Findings from Focus Group Discussions: - High levels of everyday violence against women and girls - Sex selected Abortions - Dropout of girls from school as soon as they reach class 7 or 8 - Early Marriage of Girls ( Below the age of 18) as well as prolonged wait for marriage up to 30 years in some cases because of poverty and forced to wait for a male sibling to get married first - High spending on alcoholism and other substantive abuse - Poor nutritional in take by women and girls - Discrimination in roles and tasks for girls and boys based on social practices - High levels of stress and depression - Lack of awareness on basic human rights and that any form of violence including discrimination is violation of human rights - Lack of awareness on legal and constitutional rights as well as schemes of the Government - Low levels of confidence in taking up jobs or being entrepreneurs and because of the violence at home - Unwillingness to report violence to girls and women either to the Government Functionaries and stakeholders responsible. Non willingness to report about the same for baseline saying it would impact their lives negatively and did not wish to have any information on paper. However, willing to discuss about violence collectively in a group. - Girls mentioning discrimination in terms of being forced to do household work before and after school and being unable to cope with studies as a result either they are forced to dropout or dropout on their own as they are unable to take pressure while boys enjoy a carefree life and a e free to study - Increase in number of subjects that women and girls required training on from their own perspective and their demand for inclusion of training on subjects like: a) How to make a Business Plan b) How to make a Gram panchayat Development Plan c) Stress and Depression Management d) Sensitisation of Men From the baseline it was found that - There were 142 regular participants - In 84% of the cases the head of the household was a male family member and decision making at home was in their hands - Of the 142 participants 53% were not married - 63% of the women and girls did not have bank accounts of their own - 62% of the women did not know how to operate bank savings account 12

20 - 3% of the trainees did not have any ration card while 30% of the trainees who had ration card were from Below Poverty Line (access to public distribution food) and 2% were not aware of Public Distribution System - 98% of the women and girls reported that they did not have any aspirations in life. Those reported of aspirations mentioned economic activities such as- opening beauty parlour, animal husbandry, teaching, being doctors, tailoring, any kind of business, government jobs or any work which would fetch them some income participants mentioned they wanted to engage in either animal husbandry, teaching, beauty parlour, nursing, cooking and making food products, tailoring or any suitable work - 81% of the trainees were not aware that they had rights to land ownership - None of the trainees were aware of any of the schemes for women and girls, barring a few pregnant women who were aware that they would get nutri tion supplement from ICDS and children in school would get mid-day meals. Other Key findings from interventions and achievements: Expected - Capacity, skill development of a total 100 girls and women on mentioned subjects women leaders as change agents - Participation of 10 members from the Gram Panchayat for training on Micro Planning for the Village - Convergence with Government - Demand for training on how to make a business plan - Training on Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Girls - Prevention of Violence against Women - Knowledge of Constitutional, Legal Rights and Schemes for girls and women - Basic Managerial Skills for Girls and Women - Personality Development, Communication Skills for Girls and Women Key findings/ Achieved - A high demand for the training programme with an escalation on number of participants from 100 to 142 Regular participants - 8 girls and women were irregular participants and attended some of the training programmes - 20 Change Agents including 10 adolescent girls and 10 women - Participation of 50 persons including 10 Gram Panchayat members and functionaries, ASHA workers, ICDS workers and 20 Change Agents selected by the trainees themselves and some men from the village - Convergence with Beti Bachao Scheme of Government of Mehsana - CDMO and Health Counsellors - Formation of 7 Self Help Groups - Demand from women Training on how a self-help group functions and way forward - Demand from women on training on How to earn through micro credit activities - Empowerment of the 142 trainees In addition to those that were planned based on FGDS and secondary research- on demand for additional training - How to create a Business Plan - Making men gender sensitive - Stress and Depression Management - Safety Drills and Practice for protection - Convergence with the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme and the initiatives of Chief medical District Officer - Enhancing skills of the Panchayat to develop a Gram Panchayat development Plan as well as be inclusive to voices of women and other vulnerable people 13

21 - Basic Financial Literacy for Girls and Women and how to create a business plan - At least 50% would be aware of constitutional, legal rights and schemes - 90% were made Awareness of constitutional, legal rights and schemes and human rights issues and that violence was not to be accepted. This proportion was not aware of the same. - Training 100% received training on Training on Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Girls - Prevention of Violence against Women - Knowledge of Constitutional, Legal Rights and Schemes for girls and women - Basic Managerial Skills for Girls and Women - Personality Development, Communication Skills for Girls and Women - Basic Financial Literacy for Girls and Women and how to create a business plan - Stress and Depression Management Training - 25% of the 115 women and girls were found to be undergoing depression. - From among the 25% - 18 were married and 11 were unmarried LEVEL OF DEPRESSION NO. OF UNMARRIED WOMEN Mild mood disturbance 12 4 Borderline clinical depression 2 1 Moderate depression 3 3 NO.OF MARRIED WOMEN Severe depression 1 2 Extreme depression 0 1 TOTAL

22 Conclusion It is evident from the secondary research and findings from the focus group discussion, baseline and counselling sessions with women and girls that the reasons for the decining sex ratio in Baliaysan is because of rapid fertility decline without having changes in cultural norms resulting in a deliberate attempt to get rid of girls. Gender discrimination stands firmly on the ground simply because of a myth that a girl is a reason for impoverishment and a burden while a boy brings in enrichment or income to homes. It is mostly in reference to costs and benefits including the instituion of marriage and dowry that daughters appear so expensive. So they are either killed in the womb, asked to dropout from school, either married off early or very late and subject to various forms of discrimination and violence. The result is a skewed sex ratio and child sex ratio. This has also resulted in lowering of number of women for marriage and pressing need to get brides from other States and prolonged bachelorhood of men which might be leading to violence. This may lead to high levels of migration too. Bringing in brides from different States because there are very few women and paying a bride price may be indicative of trafficking, forced marriage, purchased marriage, eloping, kidnapping and other such crimes. High dependency ratio was visible. Adverse sex ratio is certainly difficult to change over night and requires long term intervention and constant engagement on fundamental economic changes obtained through active participation of the Panchayat and created Change Agents. Further, adverse child sex ratio will result in reduction of female work force participation in economic activities in future as well as procreation for future generations, maybe in a decade. Against this gloomy Scenario, McCain Foods India Pvt. Ltd. and it s CSR implementing partner Arupa Mission Research Foundation have designed a set of training programmes to create community level change agents who influence the community to rid of any form of violence against girls and women and enhance soft skills of Women and Girls to take up Vocational Skills in future to be employable or be entrepreneurs and gai n knowledge of their rights and safety. More families enjoy lives free from violence. After all with the growing number of industries around Baliyasan, there is an increase in income of households, however, the prevalence of adverse social life impacting women and girls negatively, indicates that such income is of no use to the households. Additionally, the demand to learn new subjects, the demand to be leaders to bring in transformation and the high demand from more and more women for training indicates that the objectives of this programme which was to empower and enhance soft skills, knowledge and confidence of girls & women through capacity development initiatives has been successful. Till the very last day of 12 days training session 142 trainees wer e regular and attended all trainings and there was immense pressure to take in more number of girls and women but we were unable to because of budget and time constraints. The other success factor for this training is the participation of the Panchayat (Local Governance Body), their willingness to understand gaps in their village development plans and need to gender be sensitive. Convergence with the District Collector s office and the CDMO s office for creating awareness on schemes and also participating in lectures and demonstrating was found to be successful. It was found that the Government was concerned about female feticide and skewed child sex ratio of the village and district as such and was willing to join hands. Since this is a district marked by the Government of India for addressing i ssues around adverse child sex ration and its impacts, the success of the current programme has created the scope for upscaling initiatives as well as taking the current initiatives to a new level. 15

23 Recomendations Based on the findings from the project intervetions, voices demand of of women and girls, recomendations from trainers, Arupa Mission Research Foundation s senior advisors, key Government functionaries, panchayat members, the Collector of the district and the CDMO of the district, the following recommendations are made: A. Undertake an Impact Assessment after three months to assess the status of the training programme using scientific methods and tools. B. Refresher Training Programmes on key subjects (financial literacy and how to make a business plan, prevention of violence, Government Schemes, personality development and communication skills) and Covering more number of trainees for the core objectives including training for boys and men on prevention of violence, personality development and communication skills. C. Instituional Strengthening of the group of Change Agents and Self Help Groups: o Training on groups functioning and stregthening o Training on saving and micro credit activities o Training on starting small enterprise and key economic activities o Group solidarity o Training Change Agents to be future resource persons and partners for viggilance at the community level, volunteerism, planning, collective voice, conducting social audit and monitoring D. Facilitation in convergence with Government Schemes such as Mission Managalam, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, CDMO s office for health related isues, Department of Horticulture and Agriculture, ITIs for non farm training on businesses of different nature and other schemes. E. Training on and seed money as loan/ rotation to start small business. As expressed by women they would be interested in opening beauty parlours, animal husbandry, teaching, being doctors, tailoring, and any kind of business, government jobs or any work which would fetch them some income. 116 participants mentioned they wanted to engage in either animal husbandry, nursing, cooking and making food products, tailoring or any suitable work. Accordingly, seed money would be given as loan to start select activities. F. Ensuring gender inclusive village plans in detail for at least 10 days so that entire population of the village is covered and the plan is linked to schemes and can be shared with the Government for support and convergence 16

24 17