Gender-Responsive LSG
The XI Schedule of the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution explicitly designates women and child development among the 29 subjects delegated to Panchayats.
Some of the Challenges to Gender Equity in the society are:
- Physical and mental violence towards women
- Child marriage, Early marriage, Forced marriage
- Trafficking of women for sex work and bonded labor, forced migration
- Abuse of Disabled and Aged women and lack of support for their health, nutrition, and social interaction
- Lack of support to adolescent girls on education, health, and nutrition
- Lack of value for unpaid domestic work generally carried out by women
The gender-responsive Local Self-Government (LSG) falls within the scope of SDG Theme 9, which focuses on creating gender-friendly villages.
- Developing a gender protocol for schools
- Implementing vigilance committee initiatives within schools
- Providing Theykondo training programs for girls
- Offering orchestra training opportunities tailored for girls
- Establishing processes for newspaper production and publication
These endeavors aim to foster gender equality and empowerment across various sectors, aligning with the Panchayat's commitment to creating an inclusive environment. The Vigilance Committee, operating under the Gender Friendly Panchayat initiative, is actively engaged in promoting gender equality and addressing various issues within the community. With a focus on knowledge, strength, and security, the committee is working diligently to combat the influence of the drug mafia in the area. Recent inspections targeted the eradication of involvement by the liquor mafia in Amb Vattathani and Putthanteru Pattaruparam. Functioning as a grievance redressal mechanism at the panchayat level, the Vigilance Committee primarily aims to prevent violence against women and children. It operates through ward-level and panchayat-level committees, comprising individuals such as SC/ST women, the Panchayat President Chairperson, ICDS Supervisor Convener, Tanur CI, Doctor, Lawyer, CDS Chairperson, and Women Representative. An illustrative success of the committee's efforts was the protection of a 70-year-old woman who had relocated to Thanalur from Parappanangadi two decades ago. Despite facing mental health challenges and lacking relatives, she spent her old age in a modest dwelling provided by a local resident. Under the guidance of Gender Coordinator Faseetha and Nirbhaya Volunteer Vanaja, the committee efficiently addressed the elderly woman's needs, ensuring she received the care and support required.
The Amballur Grama Panchayat in Ernakulam district has been acknowledged for its commitment to fostering gender-friendly local governance within its jurisdiction. The Panchayat has developed gender policy documents through various methods including data collection, focus groups, workshops, and expert consultations. It operates an active gender resource center that serves as a counseling hub, office for the vigilance committee, and a women's center. Additionally, the Panchayat maintains a gender library.
The Kanjiramattam school within the Panchayat offers free taekwondo training for girls, aimed at boosting their confidence and self-defense skills. A program called "She Pad" ensures the free distribution of sanitary napkins in all educational institutions. Schools are equipped with gender desks to address issues faced by girls, and gender clubs organize debates, seminars, and rallies to raise awareness about gender issues. Furthermore, the Panchayat organizes a program called "Thulyatha Sangamam" every six months to promote gender awareness. A dedicated building has been constructed under the central government's Ayush program for conducting yoga classes exclusively for women. Additionally, an open-air gym for women has been built near the children's park.
Penma, a specialized facility at the Noolpuzha Family Health Centre, reflects the dedication of Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat towards prioritizing the welfare of women. This initiative transcends mere medical care, recognizing and addressing the unique needs and concerns of women in diverse situations. A primary aim of Penma is to provide a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for women visiting the health center. Penama, the relaxation center within Penma, is designed to offer a tranquil space for women to rest and recuperate during their stay. Equipped with essential amenities such as a relaxation area, well-maintained washrooms, and a private feeding room for nursing mothers, Penama caters to the specific requirements of women patients while ensuring their privacy and comfort.
Additionally, acknowledging the importance of mental well-being, Penama offers a selection of women-centric magazines for distraction and entertainment. Wi-Fi facilities are available for connectivity, enabling women to stay in touch with loved ones or access information while awaiting medical consultations. The facility also provides mobile phone charging facilities, recognizing the need for connectivity, particularly in emergencies. Furthermore, amenities like a napkin winding machine and insulator contribute to promoting hygiene and convenience for women visitors comprehensively. Expanding beyond its role at the Family Health Centre, Penma serves women travelers along National Highway 766, operating from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. This extension serves as a valuable resource for women on the move, offering them a place to rest, relax, and attend to personal needs during their journey.
In alignment with their commitment to women’s welfare, Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat has taken additional steps to empower and support women within the community. They have established a recreation center dedicated to providing recreational opportunities for girls and women, funded generously from the women’s component fund. This center aims to promote physical and mental well-being among women and girls while fostering a sense of camaraderie and empowerment.
Through initiatives like Penma and the recreation center, Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat demonstrates its proactive approach to enhancing women’s experiences, ensuring they feel valued, cared for, and supported. These endeavors serve as an example for other communities, emphasizing the importance of women-centric facilities and services in creating inclusive and nurturing environments for all.
The eradication of gender inequalities hinges on achieving social justice across all segments of society. Chembilode Gram Panchayat has made it a priority in its policy-making process to foster the skills and potential of all individuals and create opportunities for their utilization, ensuring inclusivity. While recognizing that gender differences have biological roots, efforts have been directed towards addressing the needs of minority groups such as transgender persons, although it was confirmed through a survey that none are currently residing in the panchayat. Various projects aimed at promoting gender equality have been formulated and implemented by Chembilode Gram Panchayat. As part of International Women's Day observances, awareness classes were conducted by organizations like Koyot and Uday Kala Samiti Anganwadi, with Chembilode Panchayat hosting a gender awareness class and honoring women who have demonstrated their abilities across different fields.
