National Consultation findings to be presented to Planning Commission on Enhancing Women's Resource Base
The consultation focused on legitimate rights of not only women but other excluded sections of society over the land, infrastructure and budgetary allocations for civic amenities and services.
Tweet-- Today, a National Consultation on Enhancing Women’s Resource Base ended with a roaring success. The consultation focused on legitimate rights of not only women but other excluded sections of society over the land, infrastructure and budgetary allocations for civic amenities and services.
Approximately 70 participants from women’s rights groups, civil society organizations, government bodies, labor unions as well as private sector actively participated and shared various initiatives wherein women’s resources rights are recognized. The proceedings of this consultation will presented to National Planning Commission for effective implementation of gender sub plans. .
Sathi all for Partnerships (SAFP), Suzlon Foundation, Centre for Budget Governance and Accountability (CBGA) and support from United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) organized the Consultation. They (Charter Partners) will also be extending support in monitoring the outreach of steps taken by the government towards enhancing resource base for women in India.
Ms. Shivani Bhardwaj, SAFP during the consultation assured “Constitutional provisions for gender equality need to be monitored for effective and successful implementation.Charter partners will provide a two year support to set up a monitoring mechanism that links local, state and national level agencies to monitor gender resource equality through district development plans. I also urge corporate to come forward and be part of the movement”.
Ms. Anne Stenhammer, Regional Program Director, UNIFEM who have been promoting policies and project ideas said, “Right to equality of women and men is a fundamental prerequisite of democracy, and that a democratic society cannot afford to ignore the skills, knowledge, experience and creativity of women”.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Seemantinee Khot, Head CSR, Suzlon Foundation, “It’s the need of the hour to recognize the role of organizations, which are working to transform the resource base of women, to facilitate building inclusive & sustainable development models and lead towards planning gender equality in resource distribution in local and national plans. There is a lack of trust among people and corporate, and it needs to be bridged. We should aim to sensitize establishments towards integrating pro-people, pro-environment approaches across business functions, and contribute in enhancing captive natural resources”. Suzlon Foundation also shared Conjunctive land use “We Farm”, in Suzlon’s wind Fram areas; it received very postive response and is being seen as a significant initiative by the Corporate..
The Consultation recognized organizations and working group that have previously undertaken efforts to enhance women’s resource base, which eventually helped in the development of specific measures and actions in facilitating gain of resources for women so that they can access their entitlements.
- First ever collective land use option for a group of HIV positive women as a public- private agreement between Positive Women Network and Suzlon Foundation
- Inclusion of policy and project ideas drafted by SAFP in Integrated District Development Plan of Kollam in Kerela.
- Acceptance of the idea of developing a Women Resource Zone within the Sustainable Development Zone developed by Inspiration in Edakochi in Kerela.
- Inclusion of access to infrastructure along with cash grants in Swarn Jayanti Rozgar Yojna proposal framework by Mission Convergence, Delhi.
The Consultation paper to National Commission has the following recommendations and steps to be undertaken in the near future:
· Collection and public disclosure of sex disaggregated data on gaps between resource base of men and women in local area development data collection. The ministry of statistics can play a major role in this.
· Consultations on the sex disaggregated data in local areas with communities as well as authorities to develop gender equal access and control of resources.
· Advocacy with different stakeholders for maintaining gender equality: Besides the district gender sub plan, there is scope for advocacy to look at gender equality parameters. At global meetings one such demand has been that “Whatever is allocated to the woman as a resource under the equality is non transferable to a man”.
· Gender equality action plan of local area under supervision of Ministry of Panchayti Raj or other state agencies need to be made such that a charter on women and men’s equality is drafted for a sign off at local and state level.
Suggested approaches for enhancing resource base:
- Organized women groups need to continuously map their available resources so that they can best utilize and support their livelihoods.
- Local and regional governments need to adopt and implement Gender Equality Action Plans - by including specific requests of local women for resource re-allocation and to ensure sustainability of the area.
- State and National government to ensure budgetary provisions for the Gender Equality Action Plan and insists on equitable allocation under all the schemes.
- Institutions, Panchayats, government departments, NGOs, temple trusts to declare any unused, under-used resources / assets and make those available for use with mutual consent of desired users.
- The Corporate establishments share resources with local communities; whether lands, buildings, vehicles, equipment or any productive assets, with specific provisions for women and men from excluded sections.
- The Civil Society actively follows up gender equality in resource allocation and merits of gender justice.
The Consultation panel appealed that the State needs to take greater responsibility for specific increase in the resources as cultural and patriarchal controls inhibit women's and other excluded groups' access to even basic resources such as land, water and services. With increasing private participation of developmental projects, corporate agencies' action towards women resource base increases, giving the much needed impetus.
Notes to Editor
About SAFP
Sathi All for Partnerships, a civil society organisation, promotes partnerships to work for women resource increase and care for disabling mental illness. SAFP coordinates two global forums i.e. the Consult for Women and Land Rights and Habitat International Coalition - Women and Habitat Network., SAFP, Address : E09 Anand Lok Mayur Vihar I, New Delhi. www.sathiallforpartnerships.org
About UNIFEM
UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies to foster women's empowerment and gender equality. Address:D53, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024. www.unifem.org.in
About Suzlon Foundation
Suzlon Foundation leads Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives for the Suzlon Group of companies working in the Renewable energy sector. Registered as a Section 25 Company in Dec 2007, Suzlon Foundation has initiated a number of projects in partnership with Civil Society Organizations for sustainable development. www.suzlonfoundation.org
