CWLR recommends single-window approach to resources for women

CWLR, a coalition of groups and individuals working on land and resource rights for women, was represented at the Northern Regional Consultation on Engendering the Eleventh Five Year Plan which was held at Chandigarh from 1st to 3rd June 2006. Their recommendations for resource mapping and Village Resource Centres were well received by the consultation.

CWLR, a coalition of groups and individuals working on land and resource rights for women, was represented at the Northern Regional Consultation on Engendering the Eleventh Five Year Plan which was held at Chandigarh from 1st to 3rd June 2006. Their recommendations for resource mapping and Village Resource Centres were well received by the consultation. The consultation was jointly organized by UNIFEM, the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Maya Foundation. This event was being organised following a southern regional consultation and would be followed by other regional consultations in June and July 2006. These would culminate in a national consultation. The event provided a platform for academicians and professionals working in non-governmental organisations and government machinery to discuss various issues impacting women in India and to give their recommendations on making the Eleventh Five Year Plan a gender sensitive plan. The consultation was inaugurated by Sh. B.S. Hooda, Chief Minister Haryana and the Guest of Honour, Smt. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab along with Mrs. Suman Krishan Kant. The agenda for the three day consultation was set by Prof. Pam Rajput, Executive Director, Women’s Resource and Advocacy Centre and Dr. C.P. Sujaya, Former CS, HP and Visiting Fellow CWDS. They stressed that the sections on women in the Five Year Plans should state the specific context such as agriculture and industry, within which issues are being discussed. “Government programs like the SCP and the Tribal Sub Plan should be allocated by gender.” they said. “Further, these schemes need to address not only the traditional occupations as women’s livelihood options, but also break gender stereotypes allowing for wider choices and opportunities.” Participating in the session on women and agriculture, Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (CWLR Advisor and Director Mahila Dakshita Samiti) and Ms. Surabhi Sarkar (Sathi Intern) presented their recommendations a single window approach to women’s resources for livelihood, possibly through establishment of women owned and managed VRCs. They also recommended that women should be trained in village resource mapping. Other delegates present at the consultation, discussed the issues of concern in different thematic areas such as violence, health, education, employment, social security, poverty alleviation and infrastructure. State-wise presentations also highlighted that the problems and issues can also vary across states and regions and national policies need to incorporate this factor. A report on the Northern Regional Consultation has been uploaded under the reports section of the CWLR website.