India

WOMANKIND has been supporting women in India for over a decade.

Our programme is based in Tamil Nadu State where we now work in partnership with one women’s organisation to promote women’s civil and political participation. The focus is on enabling women’s voices to be heard – at both local and national level – giving them the practical skills they need to play a decisive and active role within their families, their communities and their country.

WOMANKIND’S partnership programme touches the lives of some of India’s poorest and most marginalised women. Over the years we have reached more than 15,000 women, providing practical resources and assistance to:

Teach women about their human and civil rights and help them lobby for change within their communities
Support women’s participation in decision-making at all levels, ensuring their needs and concerns are heard and addressed
Lobby for increased educational opportunities for girls and young women
Provide counselling and psycho-social support for women and girls who are victims of violence
Become economically self-sufficient through credit and income-generating projects
Access literacy and vocational skills training, so that women can move out of poverty

Our programmes have resulted in significant change :

300 women stood as candidates in local elections
50% of those who stood were elected
Thousands of women have gained confidence and recognition within their families and communities
More women throughout the State are sending their daughters to school
537 girls from the Irula Tribe have been enrolled in schools in the past 3 years

However, the impact of the Tsunami and the continuing marginalisation of women means that there is still much to do.

Why India?

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