This is a presentation to share the experiences of Arpita Raksit, Indicorps Fellow 2010. She presents her insights into development in India through the lens of women and women’s empowerment.

1. Challenging our understanding of
development- a woman’s insight
Arpita Raksit- Indicorps 2010 Fellow
March 14th 2012

2. Pre fellowship ideals
• Grameen Microfinance
• Systematic relationship:
• 1.Access to finance
• 2.Investment in goods and
services
• 3.Rise in disposable Income
• 4.Expenditure on
family/community
• 5.Well-Being
• 6.Development
• Income as a means to end

3. Background
 Alternative for Rural Movement ‘ARM NGO’
 Baliapal, north eastern Orissa
 Vision: “Establishment of an equitable social
order …with emphasis on women and children
in the sphere of health education, human
rights, economy and rural leadership”

4. The Project
 ‘Financial Literacy for Women’
 300 Women’s Savings Groups
Where’s the development??
 Look, listen, learn

5. Cultural Sensitivity & Relativism
o Participatory Rural Appraisal –
o Exposure visits
o Market research
o Surveys
o Focus group discussions
o Dream mapping
What is development?

6. 40 women are
Microenterprise learning
tailoring skills
25 women are
learning sari
embroidery

7. How development?

8. Limitations
LIMITATIONS
o Lack of vocational training
o Lack of market knowledge
o Time constraints
o Microfinance - eased consumption
rather than promote poverty alleviation
(Gender video)

9. Realisations
•Patriarchy
•Freedom, choice, opportunity
•Ownership
•Consumerism driving domestic
abuse
•Economic, Social, Political
Violence
•Breach of Human Rights

10. GEETA
 Mission: To build a mass movement of social empowerment in north
eastern Orissa by fostering gender equality and creating a means to
propel women and their communities out of poverty

11. GEETA- Structure & Sustainability
•15 female community
RURAL LEADERSHIP
leaders - Change makers
•PWDVA act, Dowry Prohibition
RULE OF LAW act, marriage registration rules
•ARM as Community Service Provider
•Exposure & Education
CAMPAIGNS •Watchdog
•Partnerships: NAWO, TATA Consultancy
Services
RESULTS •Reduction in dowry, violence, divorce.
•Greater equality and respect
•Mindset change
IMPACT •Women’s empowerment
•Sustainable development

12. GEETA- Activities
• 3 day Exposure visit
•Offsite Training
•Stakeholders support
• Media: TV and
newspaper
•Identity- uniform &
badges
•Poster campaign

13. Challenges to Sustainability
1. Transferring ownership
2. Capability of GEETA women
3. Mindset
4. ‘Gender development’- Subjective and not
glamorous

14. Lessons Learnt
****Women’s empowerment is the key to ALL
spheres of development****
o Relativism and non judgement
o Connections, love, service

15. Women at the Core
Example 1:
• HealthReproductive Health Rights
Environment Time & Labour  Happiness and
Efficiency Community Service Development
Example 2:
• New plant fertiliser Men and Women pilot test
Diversity Innovation Productivity and Growth
Women gain voice through Ownership  Investment
in Sustainable Development

16. Questions & Thoughts
www.indicorps.org
www.armngo.org
www.connectindia.org