This document summarizes an action research project focused on women's participation in collective decision making at the household level in a village in Pakistan. The project was conducted in three phases: 1. Pre-action research involved focus groups, interviews and surveys to understand existing perceptions and practices. It found that men dominated decision making and women had little involvement or power. 2. The action intervention phase aimed to raise awareness of the importance of women's roles and collective decision making. 3. Post-action research evaluated the impact through comparative analysis with the pre-research data. It found that awareness had increased of women's contributions and the importance of their participation in decisions. Participants expressed willingness to empower women in the household.

1. ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT
COLLECTIVE DECISION MAKING AT FAMILY LEVEL

2. 1
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page
Table of content
Actionresearchgroup
Executive summary
Phase-1 Pre-actionresearch
Background_____________________________________________________________________5
Objectives______________________________________________________________________7
Methodology___________________________________________________________________8
Major findingandobservationalanalysis_____________________________________________10
Conclusions drawn frompre-action research__________________________________________12
Phase-2 Actionintervention
Background____________________________________________________________________13
Objective______________________________________________________________________13
Methodology___________________________________________________________________14
Explanation of theintervention_____________________________________________________15
Phase-3 Post-actionresearch
Background____________________________________________________________________18
Objective______________________________________________________________________18
Methodology___________________________________________________________________18
Major findings&observational analysis______________________________________________20
Comparativeanalysisof pre-action research and post-action research______________________22
Lesson learn_________________________________________________________23
Annexure
Sample survey questionnaire

3. 2
ACTION RESEARCHPROJECT GROUP
The ActionResearchProjectGroup-1is comprisingof five volunteersnamely,
S.# Name ofMembers Org/ Dept. Contact #
01 IrfanHusainShaikh UniversityStudent 0336-3635718
0308-8571685
02 AftabHussainMahar UniversityStudent 0300-2496499
03 Zohra AllahBachayo CommunityYouth 0307-8989264
04 Sadaqat CommunityYouth 0341-0887563
05 FaizaKarim CommunityYouth 0341-0887563

4. 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Sindh Development Society (SDS) was formed in 1991 and registered in May 1994 under
the Societies Act 1860, to participate in the process of development and social uplift of
the backward areas of the province of Sindh. SDS is one of the few organizations with a
wide-range agenda on development. In its short span of existence, SDS has been actively
involved in the development projects in the areas of non-formal education, sanitation,
environmental protection, human rights, advocacy, political education/awareness,
primary health care, capacity building of grass-root local CBOs, disaster relief services.
SDS mission is developed, rational, non-discriminatory, and peaceful society. To uplift the
living standard of the people living in the backward areas of the province of Sindh through
participatory, sustainable and integrated development initiatives and to promote and
advocate the rights of underprivileged and vulnerable sections of the society. SDS major
objective is to ensure Human Rights for all with especially for (women, children, special
children, minorities, and socially excluded groups) and Women Empowerment
(economically, socially and politically through social mobilization, enhancement of their
skills, exhibition and marketing of handicrafts, introduction of new skills and occupations
for women particularly rural women)
SDSC in line with their mission and objectives implementing the program “Empowerment
of Women for Reduction of GBV” through Action Research Project with its partner
organization ABAD and AMAL in three district of Sindh namely Hyderabad, Jamshoro and
Matiyari, since 2009. The project was funded by Trocaire which is the official overseas
development agency. The action research project is divided into three phases, pre-action
research, action intervention and post action research. The Projects focus on different
aspects of gender equality, masculinity and patriarchal system and employee result-based
approach to measuring change, for this purpose 25 volunteers were selected from
university of Sindh Jamshoro and 08 groups were formed who participate in the
implementation of projects.
In connection with Pre-action research ideas identified by the participants during the
three day training between 19-21 Feb 2015, project concepts from groups (formed for
the purpose) were sough including one for this project which is based on “women
participation in collective decision making”. The training included comprehensive
discussions on gender equality, gender-based violence, domestic violence, masculinities,

5. 4
patriarchal system and pro-women laws. The SDS later organised an orientation session
on 11 March 2015 to acquaint selected groups with technical and social aspects of
projects, and to decide on the days of field visits (base-line survey). After the Pre-action
research, presentation is given on March 24-2014 to SDS, ABAD and AMAL Action
Research Project team based on the key findings and observation during the Pre-action
research. On the same day SDS, ABAD and AMAL sought our action ideas on the
intervention, and systematically select one Project idea on which this action have been
taken. After the Action Intervention on April 19-2015, SDS, ABAD and AMAL Action
Research Project team finalized the date and organized the Post-action research visit on
May 16-2015 with the identified beneficiaries. The objective of this phase of the project
is to collect the data for the comparative analysis between Pre-action research and Post-
action research to evaluate the outcome of the Action Research Project on the
participants.
This action research project aim to “Understanding and addressing perception of
household members regarding women participation in collective decision making”. Some
of the major objectives are (1) to examine women autonomy and decision-making power
at the household level. (2) To identify areas of intervention to raise awareness about
collective decision making and importance and role of women in collective decision
making at household level (3) To assess or evaluate the outcomes of Action Research
Project (4) to do the comparative analysisof Pre-action research and Post-action research.
(5)To provide the recommendation to the policy makers.
This research achieved all its major objectives particularly it succeed in bring positive
change in male perception regarding women participation in collective decision making
at household level. After this project awareness have been raised about the importance
and role of women. Villagers are recognizing women’s contribution in the subsistence,
productive or re-productive works. Participants are willing to take necessary action for
the betterment and empowerment of women. They said they will take all the possible
measure to improve women decision making power at household level.

6. 5
PHASE I:PRE – ACTION RESEARCH
This study seeks to understand and address perceptions of household members
regarding women’s participation in collective decision making in Village Arif Khatiyan’
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
Learning about women’s role in collective decision-making at the household level is
essential because of the nature of their responsibilities. A basic feature of any rural or
urban society is that the family is the unit through which people seek to fulfil their
needs. An equally basic feature is that family responsibilities are divided along the sex
lines among males and females. Each sex has the responsibility of carrying out certain
aspects of work necessary for survival of the family. It is the survival of the family for
which males and female members organize and agree upon certain roles and
responsibilities.
As is the case with men, women’s ability to organize and agree upon i.e. the ability to
take part in collective decisions directly affects the degree mode and quality of their
performance. Therefore the decision-making power of women within the family has
been looked upon as one of the important factors regulating the well-being of the family
and household economy. But this significantly differs between societies. Specifically,
lower capacity of the women to take part in decision-making is a basic element of rural
Patriarchal families in Sindh.
The question as to whether the women’s choice is valued, and whether and how is her
advice sought and incorporated into major decisions need formal examinations to be
satisfactorily answered. Thus, this study sets to explore and address the perception and
level of women’s participation in collective decision making in one of a hamlet in Village
Arif Kathyan in Sindh province of Pakistan. The society is mainly patriarchal in nature
and men have greater control in family decisions—often simply by virtue of being men.
Hence, women decision-making power is limited to the patriarchal ideology.
This pre-action research (examining women’s autonomy and decision-making power at
the household level) will provide the basis for a project intervention to raise awareness

7. 6
of and improve the level of participation of women in collective decision making in the
village.
VILLAGE ARIF KHATIYAN
UNION COUNCIL MOSA KHATIYAN
TALUKA HYDERABAD
DISTRICT HYDERABAD
PROVENCE SINDH, PAKISTAN
ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY PS-44 RAFEEQUE CHANA
Village Arif Khatiyan is an under-developed rural area. Villagers live in clusters of small
scale settlements, locally named as bastis, usually with all of their relatives. They have old
traditions, norms and customs. The livelihood of estimated 90 percent of the population
is dependent upon agricultural and allied activities. Rest are involved in services, market
related activity and trading, including general stores, easy paisa shops, local hotels and
cabins.
The village is situated in Deh Sipki, UC Mosa Khatiyan, Taluka Hyderabad rural, and
District Hyderabad. It is bounded on the east by Village Karnai Sama, on the west by
Village Sulaman Khatiyan, on North by Peer Hajan Shah and on the South by Haq Machi.
Tandojam, which serves as the hub-center of the village, is located at a distance of 7
kilometres from the village.
It covers a geographic area of around 2000 acres and has a population of around 5000
people dwelling in some 250-300 houses. Major communities in the village include
Khaskeli, Khatiyan, Gadan, Shedi, Mugal and Bhati. Other ethnic groups include Machi,
Kohli, Magwar and Bheels. Main local spoken language is Sindhi and Saraiki.
INGO Trocaire with partner organisations Sindh Development Society (SDS), Association
for Betterment and Development of Human Beings (ABAD) and AMAL organized and

8. 7
facilitated Action Research Projects for lower Sindh province of Pakistan in three districts
namely Hyderabad, Jamshoro, and Matiari. These projects focus on different aspects of
gender equality and masculinity and employee result-based approach to measuring
change. In connection with Pre-action research ideas identified by the participants during
the three day training between 19-21 Feb 2015, project proposals from groups (formed
for the purpose) were sought and including one for this project. The training included
comprehensive discussions on gender equality, gender-based violence, domestic
violence, masculinities, patriarchal system and pro-women laws. The SDS later organised
an orientation session on 11 March 2015 to acquaint selected groups with technical and
social aspects of projects, and to decide on the days of field visits (base-line survey).
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
Specific objectives include:
 Understanding and addressing perception of household members regarding
women participation in collective decision making
 To examine women autonomy and decision-making power at the household level
 To identify areas of intervention

9. 8
METHODOLOGY
DATA COLLECTION
This research allowed for a structured, qualitative approach to the collection of data.
The procedure employed was as under
STRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRE
A questionnaire was also administered among the same respondents who participated
in the focus groups. Total nine questions were asked, the questionnaire is designed to
identify people perception regarding women participation in collective decision making
at household level, to understand the dynamic of decision making, and to assess who in
the family play key role in decision making, role of women in decision making, and the
relative necessity of collective decision making.
RESPONDENTS/BENEFICARIES
The total number of direct beneficiaries in the village initially may number up to 160
members from the households of 18 respondents of three focus groups conducted in
the village. Total number of direct and indirect beneficiaries may number up to another
700-800 including the Action Research Project Group at this level.
FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION
Three FGDs were conducted with groups of 10 and
08 respondents from the village respectively
including 10 males and 08 females. The respondents
belonged to different castes. Two FGD were
conducted on 16-05-15 and one on 21-05-15.
The FDGs were central to data collection on people
perception regarding women participation in
collective decision-making at household level in the
village. These were also useful in obtaining
information on demography, culture and lifestyle of
the villagers.

10. 9
Community mobilizer from SDS, Mr. Manzoor Ali,
and the Focal Person from Village Development
Committee (from ABAD) provided valuable
assistance in mobilizing villagers for the focus
groups and interviews.
TRANSIT WALK (GENERAL OBSERVATION)
A transit walk (observation) of the area was carried
to get an understanding of the overall
environment, culture, activities and people. The
transit walk also help in mobilizing villagers for the
FGDs.
INFORMANT INTERVIEW
Two key informant interviews were conducted
with villagers the respondent were randomly
selected.

11. 10
MAJOR FINDING& OBSERVATIONAL ANALYSIS
Villagers were of the view that decision making is important at the household level
including women and that it has been a norm in their village. One of the respondent said
it is natural that family members discuss and cooperate in homes. They were on the view
that collective decision making leads to better results and that everyone know where,
when and how are things going to be. They added that issues within the family can only
be solved with collective decision making, by giving due importance to the advice of
others. These decisions include those related to marriage, relations with other family
member, issues and conflicts, remunerative activities, health, food etc.
Male members of thefamily especially elders play main role in every decision, for example
grandfather, husband, brother, brother in law, and from females, the grandmother is
mainly involved in decision making.
The involvement of women and children’s in decision making depends on the nature of
discussion. Women from very few households are involved in decision making and very
little advice is sought. Males remain dominant in the household. On the other side, only
married male and above 18 children, are allowed to take part in the discussion. Women
are not allowed to sit in discussion with male members of the family.
Villagers were on the view that equality of women in decision making depends on the
nature or kind of discussion, in decision making about marriage, family and community
conflicts, property issues, business related discussion etc. women are not equally involved
and even restricted to take part.
Male members of the family are not giving equal rights to women. They do not want to
share power with women. It is noted that non-patriarchal family and educated people are
giving women opportunities to take part in decision making.
Majority of the male population do not want to share power and give equal right to
women in decision making. They think women are polite and not strong. On the other
hand, cultural practices and religion are also reflected in women inequalities. Some of the
people said their culture and religion (society) not allowed them to share power and give
equal right to women.

12. 11
Some of the people are of the view that women are good in decision making in household
work, while some think that they are not good in decision making. Grandfather and
grandmother play a key role in decision making. They control the whole family. Every
member of the family obeys them. The decision they make and the advice they give are
valuable for all the members. This discussion includes marriages, conflicts, health and
remunerative works. Most other women seek advice from grandmothers about health
issues. They also play key role in keeping family united.
One of the women who were present in the focus group is a police constable. She has
tried and has succeeded significantly in curbing child marriage in the village with the
support of other villagers. Another villager, named Mir Muhammad, gave a positive
example of collective decision making. He said his child left his house and started using
drugs. After two years, his child came back at home and her grandmother and mother
were first to convince him. He is no more using drugs. Liquate Ali, a villager, said that he
had a conflict on property with his brother for long but his wife and sister tried to solve
the issue and finally succeeded. The accounts of the villagers revealed many examples of
the importance of collective decision making in their households but these collective
decision making practices can also reflect in wrong decisions like early child marriages,
etc.
In response to a question, the respondents said that allowing women to educate is
important at least at primary stage. Sensitizing women and man, developing women
group/ committee, providing skills and income generation training to women are crucial
so that they can earn some income. It is also noticed that people are willing to take part
in action for the betterment and empowerment of women in the village.

13. 12
CONCLUSION
Male of the village recognized the importance of women participation in collective
decision making. They were on the view that collective decision making is a natural
phenomenon. Male members of the family dominate in the decision making process.
Women decision was not sought, male don’t want to share power with female. They were
on the view that women are not good in decision making. Grandfather and grandmother
make major decision at household. Women take advice or discuss about their issues with
grandmother or elder women of the family. Male are bound by the patriarchal system,
they were on theview that their society does not allow them to equally involve in decision
making.
People of the village are quite motivated and are willing to take action for the betterment
and empowerment of women in the village.

14. 13
PHASE – II ACTION
SENSITIZATION SESSION
BACKGROUND
After the Pre-action research, presentation is given on March 24-2014 to SDS, ABAD and
AMAL Action Research Project team based on the key findings and observation during the
Pre-action research. On the same day SDS, ABAD and AMAL sought our action ideas on
the intervention, and systematically select one Project idea on which this action have
been taken. A work plan on the intervention is develop in the same session, key
component and activities are briefly mention bellow.
Changes are inevitable in every project, some changes have been made in the action plan,
these changes have been made accordance to the circumstances and to make the action
plan, realistic or result oriented.
OBJEECTIVE
The purpose of these exercise was to understand or highlight, who in the family made
decisions. To identify people perception regarding merits of women or men in household
decision making. The major purpose of these exercise was to highlight the role and
importance of women in collective decision making decision to the participants.

15. 14
METHODOLOGY
ACTION OBJECTIVE ACTIVITIES SUPPORT
NO OF
BENEFICARIES
DETAILS OF
BENEFICARIES
MOBILIZATION DATE
SENSITIZATION
GIVING
AWARNESS TO
IDENTIFIED
BENEFICARIES
ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCEOF
COLLECTIVE
DECISION
MAKING AT
HOUSEHOLD
1. INTERACTION
DIALOGUE.
2. WHO DECIDE
3. WHO MAKE
GOOD SOCIAL
DECISION
1.INFORMATION
MATERIAL
2. FIVEFLIP
CHARTS
3. TWO MARKERS
4. TWO PENS
5. LUNCH OR
PARTICIPANTS
INCLUDING
PROJECTTEAM
12 MALE
BENEFICIARIES
BELONG TO
MULTIPLECASTES.
MAJOR SPOKEN
LANGUAGEIN THE
AREA IS SINDHI.
VILLAGE: MOSA
KHATIYAN, DEH
SIPKI, TALUKA
HYDERABAD,
DISTRICT(RURAL)
HYDERABAD
BENEFICARIES
WERE IDENTIFIED
IN THEPRE-ACTION
RESEARCH.
COMMUNITY
MOBILIZER MR.
MANZOOR ALI
FROMSDS AND
FOCUL PERSON OF
ABAD, AND VILLAGE
DEVELOPMENT
ORGANISATION,
MR. LIQUATWILL
PROVIDE
NECESSARY
ASSISTANCEIN THE
MOBILIZATION
PROCESS.
09/4/2015
HIGHLIGHT THE
IMPORTANCE
AND ROLEOF
WOMEN AT
HOUSEHOLD
1. WORD
FORMAT BASE
ON ROLEAND
RESPONSIBILITIES
OF MALE AND
FEMALE IN
HOUSEHOLD,
LIVESTOCK AND
FARMING.

16. 15
EXPLANATION OF INTERVENTION
RECITATION OF HOLLY QURAN
The session started with the recitation of Holly Quran by one of the participant.
NAME CHAIN
We asked a total number of 12 participations to stand up and create the circle and then
each participant introduced themselves along with their name, nick name and an action.
The participants were bound to repeat the name in the same manner. The purpose of this
activity was to make participants familiar with each other and to create a meaningful
environment for rest of the activities.
BRAING-STORMING
This exercise comprised of three activities namely, the first, “who decides” and second
“who make a good social decision” and the third “who do the most works”.
WHO DECIDE
In this activity we told the participant to give their answers on the below mentioned
question, whether Men do decision or weather Women do decision at household on the
following questions.
Questions
 If girls want to educate, then who makes decisions regarding girl’s education?
 If a conflict arises in the family, who takes the decisions to solve them?
 Who in the family make decision about marriage?
 After marriage, who makes decisions regarding child birth in the family?
 Who makes decisions regarding cooking in the family?
Two groups where formed on the bases of their answers, group one represented
themselves as the focal persons of Female and the second represented the Males
respectively. Explanation were sought from both groups why they think these decisions

17. 16
were taken by either male or female. The aim of this activity is to highlight or understand
whom from male or female do decision at household.
WHO MAKES THE GOOD DECISION
In this activity we sought answers on the same
questions from participants who makes the good
decision, people who think women do good decision
and those people who think man do good decision
were systematically ordered into two groups. Then we
told both the groups to give explanation that, why they
think women do good decisions, and why they think
men do good decisions.
The purpose of this activity was to understand or highlight to the participant who in the
family made good decisions and to identify people perception regarding merits of women
or men in household decision making.
WHO DO THE MOST WORKS
In this activity we asked the same groups to fill in
the worksheet- based on division of labor between
men and women. In this activity, the participants
wrote all the activities which men and women
carried out in the whole day. The participants were
also asked to write the time spent in each activity
and the price/ cost of these activities if they were
market-oriented. In the case of female activities,
which are mostly unpaid, the market
corresponding prices areput to reflect the valueof work performed by them, (for example
a women wash the cloth of family members, if the same service is higher from the market
how much it cost) Finally all the activities carried out, time spent in each activity, and the
relative income are totalled. The purpose of this activity was to make clear distinctions,

18. 17
who do the most work, who spent the most time on different works and who received
the income (most or least). In this way, participants were made to realize the role and
importance of women’s work in households.
DE-BRIEF
Finally we asked the participants what they understand or learned through these
exercise-activities, so we can judge weather our objective of the intervention is achieved
or not. After listening to their statements we particularly asked their answer or shed light
on bellow mention questions-points.
 What is collective decision making?
 Who in the family take the decisions?
 Who in the family make good decision?
 Who did most works in their daily live, or receive the least or no income?
 What is the importance of women in collective decision making?

19. 18
PHASE III:POST – ACTION RESEACH
BACKGROUND
After the action intervention on April 19-2015, SDS, ABAD and AMAL Action Research
Project team finalized the date and organized the Post-action research visit on May 16-
2015 with the identified beneficiaries. The objective of this phase of the project is to
collect the data for the comparative analysis between Pre-action research and Post-action
research to evaluate the outcome of the action research project on the participants.
OBJECTIVES
 To assess or evaluate the outcomes of Action Research Project
 To do the comparative analysis of Pre-action research and Post-action research.
 To provide the recommendation
METHODOLOGY
DATA COLLECTION
For the data collection and analysis the same structured, qualitative approach which has
employed in the Pre-action research was applied. The brief description of the procedure
was as under.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRE
A questionnaire was also administered among the same identified respondents who
participated in the previous phase of theproject. The questionnaire is designed to identify
people perception regarding women participation in collective decision making at
household level, to understand the dynamic of decision making, and to assess who in the
family play key role in decision making, role of women in decision making, and the relative
necessity of collective decision making at household level.

20. 19
PROJECT BENEFICARIES
The total number of direct beneficiaries in the village initially may number up to 160
members from the households of village Arif Khatiyan. Total number of direct and indirect
beneficiaries may number up to another 700-800 including the Action Research Project
Group at this level.
FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION
Two FGDs were conducted with groups of 10
and 12 respondents from the village
respectively including 10 males and 12
females. The respondents belonged to
different castes. Two FGD were conducted on
16-05-15.
The FDGs were central to data collection on
people perception regarding women
participation in collective decision making with
major focuses on the assessment of the overall impact of the intervention.
Community mobilizer from SDS, Mr. Manzoor Ali, and the Focal Person from Village
Development Committee (from ABAD) provided valuable assistance in mobilizing villagers
for the FGD.

21. 20
MAJOR FINDINGAND OBSERVATION ANALYSIS
In response to the first question regarding their perception of decision making at the
household level, respondents were of the view that in the rural patriarchal society with
large and extended families, every member of the family is bound to sought advice of
other family members. They said that the decision making means that you have to decide
for future action. They added that the decision we make, good or bed, right or wrong,
have major negative as well as positive effects on other member of the family.
In response to the second question as to who play main role in decision making, they said
the decision making is natural or social phenomena. Every person have the right to make
decisions about themselves or on behalf of their family. The villagers sought advice from
friends, blood relatives, especially from elders of the family. Because of the importance
and effects of decisions on other members, usually grandfather, grandmother, father,
brothers and uncles particularly make major decisions.
When asked as to who play main role in decision making related to family matters in
household, they responded that it depends on the nature and type of issue/matter and
in accordance with circumstances. They said that the matters like education, health,
marriage, family conflict, division of labour, role and responsibilities assigned or
undertaken, male members perform key role, particularly elders of the family since they
are considered the head of the family.
In response to the question—are women and children’s involved in decision making
related to family matters, they said the family is a social unit comprising of all the
members living in one place or having mutual relation with each other, with different
roles and responsibilities, women and children are obviously directly or indirectly involved
in decision making. Male children and elder women of the family have greater
involvement in such decisions.
In response to the question whether they think women should be equally involved in
decision making, majority of the participants replied is yes, they were on the view that
due to the nature and type of work and contribution of women in the functioning of the
family, we must have to involve women in collective decision making.
When asked if they agree or disagree with the principle of women involvement in decision
making and the reasons for a particular opinion of yes or no on this aspect; people who

22. 21
replied in yes said that women should be involved in decision making because women is
the basic unit of the family and that they undertake most of the household activities. They
said any decision regarding family matters have far-reaching effect on women wellbeing.
They further added that making any decision without involving or considering women
point of view the decision could not be found fruitful or benefit the family. Only one
person, Mr. Ajaz Ali thought that women should not be equally involved in collective
decision making and expressed the view that women do not fully understand the matters
and that often they make issues more complex or puzzled; that they do not possess the
knowledge outside home environment, they just cook, eat or feed the family.
Majority of the people were on the view that women are good in decision making they
are kind and soft hearted they considered all the negative or positive effect of any
decision on their family members therefor there decisions found fruitful for the family
and the society at large.
In response to the question if they can reflect on any positive experience in the family
where any issue was jointly solved or any family matter where all members play their
roles equally with responsibility, the respondents said there are many examples of
collective decision making and its positive outcomes. One of the respondent reflected an
experience where male and females of the village jointly convinced one family household
head to give permission to their children’s to let them attend a training.
When asked whether they can make sure that women are involved in collective decision
making in family and the community at large, the respondents were of the view that they
will involve women in decision making. They said their participation in this research is one
of our effort towards women empowerment. They said they have tries to reduce women
workload by participating with them in household works. They said they will also try to
convince other males of the families to ensure women participation in decision making.
At the community level, they said, they can help organizations to arrange awareness
sessions, trainings and seminars. They said they are willing to form village level
committees and that organizing awareness sessions can help them in ensuring women
participation in collective decision making. They added that such committees can also
help in improving women interaction and participation with other women of the village
so they will discuss and identify better solutions.

23. 22
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRE-ACTION RESEARCH AND POST ACTION RESEARCH
In the comparative analysis of pre-action research and post action research findings we
can clearly state that before the intervention people did not understand and recognized
the importance of women in collective decision making. They were of the view that they
sought advice from women but are not willing to equally involve them in collective
decision making. Women advice were indirectly involve in decision making process.
Women are stillsub-ordinated and males dominate in the decision making process. Males
play key role in directing resources and assigning tasks and responsibilities in the village.
But after the intervention male are willing to involve women in decision making.
With-out the project intervention, the understanding of majority of the male members
about women contribution in the subsistence, productive or reproductive works is very
unsatisfactory. They viewed women as the subordinate, second class citizens, but with
the project intervention majority of the male members now accept or appreciate women
contribution in the functioning of household.
It is important to note that this intervention did not succeed in creating equality between
women and man, control over resources, equal division of labour and so on so far but this
intervention succeeded in raising awareness among male about the contribution of
women at household or society at large.
Before the action intervention majority of the respondent were of the view that creating
equality between male and female in the society is government’s responsibility but after
the post-action research, it is found that villagers realized that they must have to take
some action at household or at community level. They said that they encourage and
support women by participating in household works. They further added that they are
trying to aware children, brother or other male members of their own family to equally
involve women in collection decision making.
They are now willing to facilitate organizations in arranging awareness sessions and
trainings in the village for betterment and empowerment of women and wellbeing.

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LESSONS LEARNED
The traditional research are only concerned with the identification, explanation of the
problems, but the action research project have shown that action research project not
only concerned with the identification or explanation of the problems, but it also
concerned with the immediate possible solution of the problem.
By this study we have learn that we can’t change our society in few days it need a
continuous effort of all the stakeholders weather they were project team, community
organization, political groups, community members, or the direct beneficiaries.
Participation of all the stakeholders in the project is a causal element for the success of
any intervention.
It is difficult or impossible to bring immediate tangible change in the society regarding
women participation in the collective decision making, but it is immediately possible to
raise sympathy regarding women’s contribution in the functioning of society among mails
so they can think, evaluate, execute by their own self the necessary action towards
betterment of the society.
By this intervention, we learned more insight about the rural society. Our morality and
the confidence have been developed so far. In the course of action we become familiar
with things like, mobilization process, team work and communication, activity designing
and undertaken, developing survey questionnaire, writing report, conducting sessions
with communities so on so far.

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SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE
Q.1: What do you think about “decision making” at household level?
Q.2: Generally, who plays main role in such decision making?
Q.3: At your household level, who plays main role in making decisions related to family
matters?
Q.4: Are women and children involved in making decisions related to family matters?
Q.5: Do you think women should be equally involved in decision making?
Q.6: Are women good in making decisions? How your mother and grandmother are
playing their roles in deciding about family matters?
Q.7: If yes or no, then why?
Q.8: Can you reflect on any positive experience in your family where any issue was
resolved jointly or any other family matter where all played their roles and
responsibilities equally?
Q.9: How can we make sure that women are involved in decision making in family and
the community at large?