Goal:
To empower women councilors in Local Self Government for being ideal people’s representatives.
Objectives:
- Self esteem and personality development
- Sensitivity towards rural social issues
- Active participation in governance of local self bodies
Project Coordinator: College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai
Training Coordinator: Resource and Support Centre for Development, Navi Mumbai
Characteristics of the Project:
- Based on the positive feedback and evaluation of a pilot project conducted in Selu Taluka of Wardha District.
- An innovative project of the State Election Commission in collaboration with government institutions and non-government organizations
- Cadre of committed and expert trainers from state to village level
- Compilation and creation of resource material for trainers to impart through knowledge of the subject.
- Thrust on use of creative media like songs, games, role-plays, and demonstrations in the training of women councilors instead of heavy literature
- Emphasis on actual governance of Village Panchayat, Social issues and personality development
- Programmes to change patriarchal mentality of both women and men
- Organization of non-residential de-centralised workshops at village level considering the social constrains of women councilors to attend residential centralized training programmes.
- Inspiration by success stories of effective women councilors.
- Regular follow up and handholding program after the training.
Empowerment and support through hand-holding for 20,000 women councilors from selected 10 districts
Training Contents
- Functioning of Panchayat Raj Institutions
- Awareness about schemes implemented in rural areas, specially for women
- Finance management, budget and transactions at Village Panchayat
- Self esteem and personality development
- Burning social issues and exploration of their solutions
- Success stories of effective women councilors
Medium of Training
· Training through creative mediums like games, audio-visual aids, songs, slogans etc.
· Group discussion of women trainees
· Presentations by women trainees
· Inspirational speeches
· Success stories of effective & efficient women
Handholding programme
- Trained mentors and hand holders will conduct monthly follow-up meetings with women councilors in non-formal atmosphere at local level.
- Support and guidance by the mentors/handholders in day-to-day functioning of the women councilors.
- Help-line at district level to address immediate concerns and to provide help in emergencies.
Evaluation of Trainees
Systematic evaluation of trainees will be conducted regularly for following indicators
· Knowledge of the actual governance
· Confidence and self esteem
· Skills for governance
· Participation in governance
· Improvement in effectiveness
Role of District Coordinators and Core Trainers
- Organizing and conducting training programmes for trainers at district level.
- Awareness building through meetings with government institutions and non- government organizations
- Planning and organizing for training of women councilors at local level
- Coordination at district level for resource mobilization
Role of Trainers
Planning at Tahasil/ Primary health Centre level and conducting actual training of women councilors.
Role of Handholders/ Mentors
To coordinate between women councilors and trainers and guide women councilors during their day to day functioning.
