Fourth Gender Samvaad

September 25, 2023

The fourth edition of ‘Gender Samvaad,’ a collaborative initiative by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE), brought together thousands of participants in a virtual event. This platform aims to create awareness about DAY-NRLM’s gender-focused initiatives in India, with a specific focus on amplifying the voices of states and self-help group (SHG) members.

Uniting for Change

More than 8000 participants, including senior officials from the Ministry of Rural Development, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Government of Bihar, state government officials, practitioners, gender experts, academics, civil society representatives, and SHG members, joined forces to discuss and address crucial gender-related issues.

Empowering Women in Rural Areas

The event highlighted the extensive efforts made by DAY-NRLM to empower women and establish model institutions addressing women’s concerns in rural areas. These initiatives have been primarily carried out through the Gender Resource Centre platform.

Sharing Experiences and Strategies

Community resource persons (CRPs) from various states, including Jharkhand, Kerala, and Odisha, shared their experiences and strategies for addressing gender-based violence. Rajani Dandasena from Odisha discussed the Prerna Kendra (Gender Resource Centres) at the Gram Panchayat level, emphasizing their role in establishing strong linkages with other departments and addressing cases of violence.

Creating Gender-Responsive Institutions

The event emphasised on the importance of gender training, pedagogical approaches, and the use of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials in creating gender-responsive institutions, especially Didi Adhikar Kendras. These institutions have played a pivotal role in addressing violence rooted in patriarchy and social norms, along with promoting the political empowerment of women.

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion emphasized the significance of state rural livelihood missions (SRLMs) and the opportunities they offer, such as legal remedies through fast-track courts, gender training at various levels, and inter-ministerial convergence. The panel also discussed innovative financing for sustainability, the need for safe spaces like Shakti Sadan and short-stay homes, strengthened data-driven governance, and enhanced women’s economic agency.

Empowering Women Together

Gender Samvaad 2023 concluded with a collective call to address core women’s issues through preventive measures, convergence, and innovative local problem-solving approaches. It underscored the importance of continued dialogue and action in empowering women across rural India.

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