Printed & Published by:

Director, Save A Family Plan India,

Aiswaryagram, Parappuram P.O., Kanjoor Via, Ernakulam District, Kerala State, India – 683 593

Phone: 0484-2462130, 2462230, 2466324 & 3943325

E-mail: augustineb@safp.org safpi@safp.org

Editorial Team:

Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara and Mr. Jacob. P.O Issue Number 4 January –March 2009

Director’s Desk At the very outset I am privileged to wish all the directors and staff of the partner NGOs a very happy new year 2009 and blessings in all their endeavourers. SAFP is a pioneer organization promoting the concept of gender mainstreaming through partner NGOs in India. I congratulate and express to the partner NGOs my gratitude for formulating and developing the resource team of 20 members each, a total of 1040 women and men from 52 Indian NGOs, who are giving training on gender mainstreaming to the members of the grass root level organizations. Observing the implications of the concept many local self government authorities also replicated the training programs. Globally the concept of gender mainstreaming is of wide importance for having sustainable development. Gender mainstreaming is quite significant as it is the third millennium development goal. In the interaction with the resource team members it was observed that many of them have not received any follow up training and updating of the knowledge on the concept of gender mainstreaming. Viewing the importance of this concept and how the active members of gender resource team are contributing to bring this concept to the grass root level of each partner NGO, SAFP envisaged follow up training for the presently active members of the gender resource team. This will create a space for interaction and experience sharing for the active members of the gender resource team developed in the partner NGOs under SPED II Even though SPED II is near completion, the resource team will be an asset to the partner NGOs in future activities. I wish success to the resource team members who are participating in this follow up training. I take this opportunity to thank all partner NGOs for the successful completion of SAFP-SPED II program through which thousands of poor families were led to sustainable development. Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara Bimonthly Review Meeting

1. The bimonthly meeting for the coordinators from Watershed Sector was conducted at Aiswaryagram from 6.00p.m on 12th January 2008 to 3.30p.m on 14th January 2009. There were 27 coordinators who participated in the program, 20 men and 7 women. The bimonthly meeting for the coordinators from Health and Education sector was conducted at Aiswaryagram from 6.30p.m on 14th January 2008 to 3.30p.m on 16th January 2009. There were 16 coordinators who participated in the program among them were 9 men and 7 women. Along with the input sessions by various resource persons the power point presentation of the activities was done by each of the coordinators.

2. The bimonthly review meeting was held at Aiswaryagram from 23rd March 2009, 6p.m to 27th March 2009, 9p.m. 41 Coordinators (26male and 15female) participated in the final presentation of SPED II program. Dr. Sunny George was the resource person. Being the end of the SPED II program, Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara specially appreciated and

congratulated all the coordinators for their commitment with which they implemented the program. He gave gifts to all the coordinators. A one day picnic was arranged for the coordinators.

Trainings

1. Family Development Program coordinators’ meeting and follow up training was conducted at Aiswaryagram on 9th and 10th March 2009. There were 42 participants-16male and 26female.

2. Follow up training program for the active members of the gender resource team members of the partner NGOs was held at Calicut diocese animation center from 9th-11th March 2009. The participants were from Calicut, Bathery, Mananthvady, Thalassery and Thamarassery DSSSs. Total participants were 50-8 male and 42 female.

3. Follow up training program for the active members of the gender resource team was held at Aiswaryagram from 12-14th March 2009. The participants were from Kottayam, Ernakulam, Varapuzha, Muvattupuzha and Alleppey DSSSs. There were 40 particiants- 3 male and 37 female.

4. Follow up training program for the active members of the gender resource team was held at the Trivandrum Latin Animation Center from 16th to 18th March 2009. The participants were from Punalur, Quilon, Trivandrum Arch, Trivandrum Latin and Neyyattinkara partner NGOs. There were 31 participants- 10 male and 21 female

Visits to SAFPI

1. Ms. Lois Cote- President SAFP Canada and Ms. Lesley Porter- Executive Director, SAFP Canada visited SAFP India from 9th January 2009 to 1st March2009. They visited Sneha Bhavan Palluruthy, Marayur Tribal school, Ooty DSSS and The M. &R.F Hospital at Nanganahalli for Community Development Project at Mysore.

2. Benefactor-Mr. Lorrie Walker and family visited SAFP office on 16th January 2009. They also visited some Family Development Program Beneficiary families at Ernakulam and Alleppey DSSSs.

3. Benefactors Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Johanha Mirten visited SAFP office on 20th January 2009 and visited Family Development Program Beneficiary families at Pala, and Tuticorin DSSSs and joined Fr. Richard Sadhana,s team

4. Fr. Richard Sadhana with 19 Canadians team visited SAFP office on 23rd January 2009 and visited the RB families at Cochin, Ernakulam, Kottappuram and Irinjalakuda DSSSs. They returned to Canada on 27th January 2009.

Monitoring and Audit Visits to Partner NGOs Monitoring visit to Family Development Program families were done at Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam, Kanjirappilly, Kannur, Belthangady, Shimoga and Chicmangalore DSSSs.

Monitoring visits for SPED II activities were done in Kannur, Belthangady, Shimoga and Chicmangalore DSSSs. Audit visits were done at Kanjirappilly, Kannur, Chcmangalore, Belthangady, Shimoga, Trivandrum Latin and Trivandrum Arch. A success story from Thalassery Social Service Society Basic Information DSSS Name : Tellicherry Social Service Society (TSSS) Name and place of the Sangham : Nedumpuramchal, Credit Union Name of the Target family : Johny Muttapally Place

: Nedumpuramchal, Kannur dt. Kerala

Introduction Johny Muttapally is a poor daily laborer. He owns 40 cents of land. His wife Annamma is very sick. He does not have a proper house. In the rainy season, it is very difficult to stay inside the house. He has a son with family including small children. In this pathetic condition ,he has joined Nedumpuramchal Credit Union. Interventions and processes initiated It was at this juncture that he came to know about Save A Family Plan. He was a member of Nedumpuramchal Credit Union, which was the sole source of assistance for his financial and developmental needs. The Sangham selected him in a participatory manner for the SPED II Programme for the construction of a house. The Sangam members discussed the total cost for the house construction and then they mobilized local funds for the construction of the house. Results generated: He has taken a loan of Rs. 10,000/- from the sangam. A SPED subsidy for the house construction was Rs. 15000/- . The social capital mobilized was Rs. 50000/-. Thus the sangam has helped him to construct a beautiful house.

Johny Muttapally gratefully acknowledges that he has reached this secure and happy stage of life because the help was given from SAFP-CIDA-DSSS and sangam members. He conveyed his regards and gratitude to the people who have helped him directly and indirectly to make a beautiful house.

Name of the family member

Relationship Age Grade in School

Occupation

Johny Muttapally Applicant 65 yrs VI Daily labour Joy Son 30 yrs VIII Daily labour Annamma Wife 60 yrs IV House wife Moly Daughter in

law 26 yrs XI House wife

Anju Grand daughter

4 yrs ---

Abhilash Grand son 1 1/2 -----

Content of Gender mainstreaming follow up training to Gender Resource Team

Resource Person: Mr. Joy.K. (Navadhara) ‘’It was like throwing a stone into a calm pond and create waves in it,” “The people began to be uneasy but are thinking positively for a change’’, “without age differences, the women feel that changes can be brought”, “could convince the participants that women are individuals with a large number of potential”, “Could influence family members of the participants towards change”, “some people are of the opinion that these trainings are to mislead the women”. The resource team members of the partner NGOs shared their experiences at the trainers’ training conducted at Aiswaryagram, headquarters of SAFP on 12th and 13nth of March. India is a country where we find great people like Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna and Mahatma Gandhiji etc. who worked for the uplift of women. During the revolt for India’s Independence, the women were in the forefront. But after independence, women were asked to return to their homes. There was a review of the changes that have come through the last 5 decades in India. Mahilasamajams were formed which provide nutritious food, provide skill development, taught to be good house wives, encouraged family plan etc. Women’s wings are created in each Government Department. 33% reservation is given in Panchyathiraj elections. However, there is no role for women in decision making and planning process. Now the favorable conditions that prevail are Jagrathasamities, women’s cell, women’s commission at state level and national level etc.

The different dimensions of gender are:

1. Biological dimension

The differences in sexual organsHair growthHormone distributionReproductive roles

2. Social dimension

The unwritten law that man and woman should do only such and such thingsEg: woman should cook the food, wash clothes etc. and man should be the breadwinner etc.

3. Cultural dimension

Which is suitable for one culture may not be relevant for another culture. Accordingly the position of woman and man will be defined and set. The beliefs, the language and the assumption regarding beauty etc. will matter in this. The striking words or proverbs regarding man or woman will influence the approach to man and woman and in moulding the character of man or woman. Thoughts regarding divorce: based on belief, religion, scriptures etc. If woman protests a day there will not be any movement in this country? Even equipments are designed for men and women differently However men are ready to cook in hotels etc. which means if money value is attached man also is ready to take up the work done by women. In Punjab for every 10 boys there are only 5 girls. There are villages where there are no girls at all. So girl children below 13 years age are marketed from North Eastern states. In Andhra Pradesh an NGO to look after orphan girls is blacklisted as they were selling the girls to brothels and abroad.

4. Institutional dimension

Family, religions, Panchayaths, district offices, state assembly, parliament etc. Based on this, the roles are defined Accordingly role performances are done. Presently we can note that in every institution there is dominance by men.

5. Political dimension

There is 33% reservation in the PRI But no reservation in the state or central governments So women do not have roles in policy making and decision making Some of the changes required in society in the present context as shared by the participants are as follows:

1. The works at home should be divided among the family members.

2. All the children also should be trained in all household works from childhood onwards.

3. Husband and wife should discuss sexual matters without any mask 4. Women should be encouraged and permitted to take care of their parents also. 5. Awareness programs should be conducted. 6. Personal changes should come. 7. Awareness programs through street plays, brochure, and debates. 8. Respect the dignity of man and woman. 9. Children and adolescents should be given knowledge regarding the concept of

gender. 10. Media should be properly used. 11. Men should participate in gender trainings. 12. Legal knowledge should be imparted to women. 13. Women should participate in decision making process at all levels. 14. Next generation should be made to grow with gender perspective and dignity for

each other. 15. Children should be included in the family budget presentation. 16. Wife should be officially made a partner in the assets of the husband. 17. Reservation should be made 50%. 18. Woman herself has to identify her possibilities. 19. Woman should come out of the shell of dependency. 20. Woman should throw away the inferiority complex.

Practical needs Strategic needs ( Changing needs)

• Water • Cooking • SHG meeting etc.

• Need new roles • New skill initiatives • In an issue like molestation/rape strict

actions be taken • Enter into politics • Economic freedom • Ownership in resources • Come together for rights

Concept of gender mainstreaming. “Gender Mainstreaming is a diplomatic process of creating a social circumstance where in decision making, controlling and making amendments of activities by the political, social and economic institutions which destines the future of the society are done considering the significant desires, rights and experiences of man and woman and the results are equally shared by both men and women”.

Gender mainstreaming should be established in the Gramasabha; Village, block and district panchayaths; state assembly and parliament at the central level. Only then, can gender mainstreaming be brought within society. The various areas where the gender mainstreaming process has to concentrate Resource Person: Mr. Joy.K ( Navadhara)

1. Family • In olden days the nature of woman to suffer and bear maximum was strong factor

for the stability of families. However, many injustices prevailed in society like sathi, no education for girl children, the attitude towards widows etc. The stories of “sheelavathi”, “Pakkanar” and of Urmila the wife of Laxmana in the episode of Rama and Laxmana were explained.

• Today the thinking of women regarding marriage is changed. Woman wants in the partner, a friend through marriage. However the men think of the obedient and beautiful woman before marriage as in the earlier days. The family members also support these factors.

• One of the major factors for the broken families is alcoholism • Some of the other reasons are:

o Not taking up the responsibilities of the family o Differences of opinion and dissatisfaction in sexual life o Extra marital relationship o Infertility o Mental disorders o Lack of beauty o Dowry o Critical illness o Family status: high family and low family o Misuse of technology o Imitation o Less communication o Luxurious life o Low income and more expenditures

• The problems in the family will come out into the society. In olden days the responsibility of debts were taken up by men. Now due to the SHGs the women are taking up the burden of debt in the families. Hence there should be changes in the families with a gender perspective. Family should become stable and a place of understanding and sharing.

2. “Jagrathasamihi”: In every panchayath there is a jagrathasamithi. The samithi includes

Panchayth president, members, police, social worker, advocate etc. But many are not aware about the gender perspective. The work of the jagrathasamihi should be made more active so that many problems especially related to domestic violence and pertaining to

women can be solved. Women with a good vision should come into official posts to bring meaningful change.

3. In Project Planning

• More women components should be included. • A gender related background should be included • When goals and objectives are set gender aspects should be included • Preference should be given to women when beneficiary selection is done • When project indicators are set gender dimension should be included • During monitoring and evaluation the participation of women should be ensured • Gender budgeting should be done

Media and gender mainstreaming Resource Person : Ms. Joicy Joy ( Navadhara) Ms. Joicy Joy dealt with the topic of print media and gender mainstreaming. To find out how the print media presents woman, the participants were divided into groups and asked to prepare a collage through cuttings from various magazines. The collage was explained by each group leader. People want to see, hear and taste various things taking place in the world. Media makes people see things, hear things and taste things. Hence we can say that media is the mirror of the society. Usually people believe what media expresses. If anything in the media affects one person it then affects the family of that person and then the community and then the society at large. So powerful is the impact of the media. Most of the news that we hear is quite different from the original happening. Types of media are: Visual, Audio and print Interest of media regarding women: In media usually what we find is that the negatives regarding women are often highlighted. Women are always looked upon as a commercial product by the media. When we watch various programs in the media we can observe that women are presented as persons without finance and without power. They are presented as isolated persons. The media sets standards for women and men. How a good woman should be and how a bad woman should be are presented by media. All these expressions are imitated by women in actual life. Thus the media has a very high influence in the life of every person especially women. Advertisements in media, in fact, make women lose confidence. For example women are compelled to use cosmetics to increase beauty, but men are usually presented as ambassadors of money, power, muscle power etc. All these indicate how gender discrimination is promoted by the media. Media teaches why women should become beauties. It is for men

If we look into the commercial movies it is evident that about 75% of the viewers are men. Hence considering this fact, the films are produced for men. Hence, the profile of woman is focused to give enjoyment for the male viewers. The film world considers men as the agents of power. They also look at women with a sexual thirst. They also view women for their pleasure. The viewers are also not much different from this. Mostly, women are not considered as individuals with human dignity. So to bring in a change in this attitude of the media world more women should come into the field of media. Thus, gender mainstreaming can be established gradually. Later a Malayalam film “Aaram Thamburan” was exhibited to evaluate how man and woman are presented by the film world. Based on the various dimensions explained in the sessions the participants evaluated the film very critically. The participants evaluated that the media sees woman as a commercial product more than as person with human dignity. The media expressed that women do not have the freedom to express opinions. Woman is considered as a slave. Man is considered above all things. Hence, many changes have to come to the film world and at large in the world of media. This should teach every one a lesson that media should be read only very critically. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Govt. of Canada, to this Newsletter. www.acdi-cida.gc.ca