One Woman's Voice

WOMANKIND’s partnership programmes in Tamil Nadu State help women in practical and supportive ways to meet – and overcome – the many and substantial disadvantages and challenges they face.

Over the years, many women have found their voice – here are two, talking to us at the end of 2006:
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I live in a village 70km away from ITWWS (the Irula Tribal Women's Welfare Society) in the Villaparam District. I have three daughters. I am a member of a self-help group that has 45 members. We have raised awareness about the importance of education and everyone is now sending their children to school.

The group is also involved in agricultural activities. Through working together to develop our community we have all gained strength. By coming together we have increased our understanding, our equality with men, and have been able to reduce family conflict.

I stood for the local government (panchayat) elections and, although I didn't win, I am determined to stand again. I want change and representation for the Irula community.

Through our self-help groups we solve every problem together, so we don't need to go and beg to others, who do not want to help us. empty

In another village, people told us about the impact of the December 2004 tsunami - and the reconstruction efforts:
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A lot of changes have occurred since the tsunami destroyed our houses. At that time we did not even have food, so ITWWS provided that for our children, as well as utensils, bicycles, land, houses and fishing nets.

We are speaking for ourselves now, and we have also learned about savings, hygiene and sanitation. With these savings we are sending our children to school as we now understand the importance of education.

We are no longer dependent on others for loans. We are happy having businesses! Before the tsunami we never saw a government officer, never went to a panchayat, bank or office. We never met them. Now we sit with them and demand from them and have given a petition to demand drinking-water, electricity and loans.

We never had an opportunity before to go to meetings and receive training. Now I come home and tell my husband what I have learned about no violence and no alcohol. Now I know the law.

Before, we used to sing songs and do dancing at home. Now we do it in public - we feel we have some freedom. We now hear our traditional songs on the radio, see our dances on TV. This makes us proud to be Irula!
Updated December 2008

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