WOMANKIND has been supporting women in India for over a decade.
Our programme is based in Tamil Nadu State where we work in partnership with a number of women’s organisations 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. More recently, we have been working with partner organisations in some areas of the State affected by the Tsunami (December 2004).
WOMANKIND’S partnership programmes touch 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
- 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
Why India?
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