25,552 women in 335 villages participated in awareness events by Reliance Foundation on International Women's Day. Reliance Foundation organised 99 health camps in 124 villages, benefiting 11,519 women...

1. International Women’s Day
(IWD) Report 2015

2. 11519 benefitted from 99 health camps organized for 124 villages across 17
project locations. 25,552 people participated in International Women’s Day
from 335 villages across 24 project locations of 11 states
Basis
Reliance Foundation (RF) celebrated International Women’s
Day (IWD) on 8th
of March as an event to bring women
together to speak, recognize their efforts and for the collective
happiness. The official United Nations theme for International
Women's Day 2015 was "Empowering Women - Empowering
Humanity: Picture It!” Reliance Foundation decided to
celebrate this year IWD on the theme ‘Health and Women’ as
good health is must for any form of empowerment. IWD was celebrated at numerous levels – Creating
awareness about health, health camps for check-up and consultations and various cultural programs
organised by VFAs
Objectives
 Reflection of past experiences of women in development and seeking opportunities for
larger role for women in Village Farmers Association
 Recognize the women achievers
 Enhanced awareness about health and linkage with nutrition among women
 Sharing the health status of the project area
Specific highlights
Health camps organized for women of all project villages in cluster such as Panna and Adoni to
took stock of health conditions of women in their project region.
VFAs of Jamai launched a scheme named “Apki beti Hamari Beti” for girl child where VFA will
reward the parents with 501 rupees for every girl child born in the village and will link the scheme to
“Sukanya Samriddhi” account in post office.
‘Amari Geet Mala’ (Collection of songs) is an energizer book
prepared and released by the women VFA members of Netrang
containing 22 songs on different themes such as Strength of
institution, motivational songs for women, awareness against
alcoholism, promotion of nutrition etc.

3. Government departments organized separate stalls
during IWD in Radhanpur, such as Mission Mangalam on
Capacity building, Police on Women Security, ICDS
department on Nutrition, and Primary health centre on
Women’s health emphasising the overall theme for the
event. Information sharing of the Government schemes,
process of availing and benefits with the participants.
Rally was organized in clusters at Jamai, Yavatmal and Rajam to demonstrate the power of women
and emphasized on women leaders such as Mother Teresa, Rani Laxmibai, and Savitri Phule, who
devoted their life for the society. Rally attracted lot of girl students to be part of the procession.
Mission Mangalam of Netrang put up stall showcasing the Warli and bamboo crafts as an opportunity
for alternate livelihood for women.
Series of Income Generation Activities and livelihood trainings conducted in VFAs of Gadag with
the support of women scientist from KVK enabling towards financial security.
General health camps organized for both male and female
members in Uttarkashi and also the doctors emphasized on
the physical exercise, yoga and cleanliness for better health.
Health camps organized for school children in Agar cluster.
Women representatives from 9 VFAs of Adoni cluster
participated for first time in an exposure visit to the thrift
cooperatives promoted by CDF and visited the Women’s Dairy promoted by the women’s thrift
cooperatives as part of increasing their motivation levels.
Women thrift groups and VFA representatives took the entire ownership of planning, organizing and
execution of the entire event in Seoni.
Women’s week celebrated in Sawai Madhopur by
organizing the series of health camps. Women thrift
groups played significant role in designing and
managing the event. Women Self Help Groups
shared the significance of savings and credit with the
audience. Strong winds and rain hampered the event
but the community showed their enthusiasm by quickly reorganizing the event at a new place.

4. Executive Committee members of VFA in Rajnandgaon conducted informal survey and discussion
with Anganwadi workers, school teachers, village nurse to identify the health issues of the villages.
VFA reps shared the findings with health departments at various level and organized health camps
for their villages.
Best practitioners for RNG and other
interventions recognized in majority of the
clusters. Recognition and rewards given to
households of Mandla to those of whom have
promoted education of their daughter in laws,
educating their daughters, and two oldest women
members of VFA regularly participating in VFA meetings.
Medical team in Karaikudi did awareness program on women health mainly focussing on anaemia
covering the symptoms, causes, effects and remedies. Emphasis on the consumption of vegetables and
clarified lot of queries that came from the community regarding nutrition intake and balance diet.
Women members from four villages expressed their interest to form Village Farmer Association after
IWD celebrations at Modasa.
Outcomes:
 Women members became aware about their health status
 Baseline Health & nutrition data maintained for women
 Recognition of best practitioners and platform to share their experience
 Increased ownership by women right from planning to execution of the event
 Increased motivation for women members
 Established Collaboration with numerous stakeholders especially government department
Way Forward:
 Health camps for every member of all VFA of RF BIJ
 Focus on nutrition and health of VFA members
 Ensuring enhanced space provided for women especially at decision making level

5. Impressions:
“I was very happy to see a lady doctor as many of us will
not hesitate to discuss our health problems with her”
-Sulochana Devi, Rudraprayag
“I remember the first time, no women member was ready
to perform on stage and every one was going back, but see
them today, they are demanding to play more songs to
dance.”
-Dhoom Singh Rana, Rudraprayag
“Earlier we were not keen on our food but after formation of VFAs, Nutritional matters and its intake
has become a discussion point in our houses”
– Jhansi of M J Valasa VFA, Rajam
“It was life time opportunity for me discussing with district collector and other government officials
for inviting them for IWD”
- Sita ben of Motibhuwal VFA, Modasa
“Why have just a day dedicated to us when we have the power to make every day, our day!! I am
feeling more powerful and united after being part of the IWD”
- Leela Ben, Khanpar VFA, Jasdan
“I remember the first time when no women member was ready to perform on stage and everyone was
going back, but happy to sees them today demanding more games to play more games to play.”
– Rajkumari bai, Moyari, Jamai
“I thought we will playing sports during women's day celebration but surprisingly I was called to
come on stage and speak about the work. I was frightened seeing the huge gathering but I am happy
that I spoke what I wanted that too from my heart"
-Helen Marandi, Bhalpahari VFA, Deoghar

6. KEY STATS:
Number of clusters celebrating IWD: 24
Total number of participation: 25,552
Number of clusters organized Health camps: 17
Number of health camps: 99
Number of villages benefitted: 124
Total number of people benefited: 11,519
Note:
Clusters celebrated IWD and health camps
Clusters celebrated IWD
Clusters yet to celebrate IWD
S.No Cluster
Number of
Health camps Number of Village Number of Beneficiaries
Number of
Village
Number of
participant
1 Jamai 10 10 860 9 6285
2 Sendhwa
3 Bidar 23 550
4 Mandla 27 1017
5 Rajnandgaon 3 3 532 3 610
6 Jasdan 12 12 1500 14 1500
7 Agar 10 10 1264 1 68
8 Sawai Madhopur 7 7 700 18 750
9 Rudrayaprayag 5 5 199 15 645
10 Adoni 9 9 1140 9 1140
11 Balangir
12 Kamareddy 4 4 336 3 248
13 Karaikudi 4 5 352 5 632
14 Rajam 1 5 230 14 595
15 Gangakhed 23 1025
16 Uttarkashi 5 5 384 5 385
17 Deoghar 3 3 177 18 1502
18 Modasa 6 12 600 16 1450
19 Netrang 2 2 122 15 857
20 Seoni 28 2600
21 Banswara 11 756
22 Panna 9 11 554 5 350
23 Radhanpur 13 422
24 Yavatmal 25 500
25 Gadag 8 8 2400 10 700
26 Jamwa Ramgarh 1 13 169 25 965
Total 99 124 11519 335 25552
IWD 2015 IWD celebrationHealth Camps

7. SNAPSHOT FROM CLUSTERS
Yavatmal, Maharashtra
Rally organized for creating awareness Speech focussing on the women and health rights
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Health camps organized at VFA level
Seoni, Madhya Pradesh
Recognition of women member Folk songs and dance performance

8. Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan
Women enjoying the local games Health camps organized
Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Experience sharing and dance programs
Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh
Health camps organized in collaboration with Government Health departments

9. Rajam, Andhra Pradesh
Health camp covering aged woman also VFA REPS sharing their experiences
Radhanpur, Gujarat
Stall organized by Police department Women taking the opportunity to speak up
about Women Security
Panna, Madhya Pradesh
Recognition of Best Practioners – RNG Health Check-up, Consultation and Treatment

10. Netrang, Gujarat
‘Amari Geet Mala’ book prepared and released Tribal dance performance by women
Modasa, Gujarat
Skit performed by VFA members Health camp
Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
Huge participation of Women Rally during the IWD

11. Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu
Health camp organized and doctors also conducted street play on Health
Kamareddy, Telangana
Moment of happiness Health camp
Jasdan, Gujarat
Women celebrating with colour GVK EMRI Women helpline addressing the awareness

12. Jamwa Ramgarh, Rajasthan
Colourful celebration of International Women’s Day
Jamai, Madhya Pradesh
Rally organized for creating awareness Women members enjoying Kabbadi
Gangakhed, Maharashtra
Women along with their demo RNG model Health camp organized

13. Gadag, Karnataka
Health camps organized Training organized on Income Generation Activities
Deoghar, Jharkhand
Proud VFA member anchoring the event Nutritional attire showcasing the
importance of vegetables consumption
Bidar, Karnataka
Celebration of International Women’s Day

14. Banswara, Rajasthan
Sports, fun, celebration and happiness as part of IWD
Agar, Madhya Pradesh
Every health camp beneficiary got their health cards Health camp for school children
Adoni, Andhra Pradesh
Women with their health cards Exposure visit of women representatives from VFAs
to milk dairy established by Women’s Cooperative