Overcoming Gender and Poverty Barriers

Poverty has been an inevitable problem in India since the beginning of time. The increasing problems of poverty caused by overpopulation and the unequal distribution of wealth among the people have led to a huge impact on the life of millions in the rural as well as the urban area. A person has to acquire the minimum level of subsistence in order to survive.

The reduction of poverty has been made a priority by focusing on improving the standard of living of the poor. Ensuring food security, self-employment, access to basic social services and other methods has helped many households lift their standard of living.

The increasing inequality between men and women has long been identified in societies. Women suffer multiple issues due to poverty. Women are most susceptible to poverty due to the fact that they have lesser support from their families and also from society.

One among the millions of women affected by poverty is Durgavati Devi, a resident of block Barhaj in Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh, who belongs to a Dalit community. She has been living in poverty since her childhood and always dreamt of bringing a change in her life by coming out of poverty. Due to gender bias in the society, women are bound to stay home and take care of the household chores and the family. In the village, the community leader decides the nature of the work of the people as they are bonded labourers of the landlords. Lacking awareness about human rights, this has been the only surviving tool of the families in the village for several years.

With strong determination and willingness to sacrifice herself to support her family, she chose to challenge the situation in order to bring a change in her family’s living condition. CASA intervention came as a burning torch for Durgavati and many other vulnerable people. Through CASA’s support, CBOs were formed in the targeted villages in the Deoria district, which gives equal opportunities to both men and women in the society. Various meetings were conducted in the targeted villages and women were made aware of their rights and entitlements. Durgavati became an active member. With bravery and keen intention to bring changes to her family and the society she lived in, she took the opportunity to express her concern about the current state of the society. Her active participation brought out good results. Over time, she became the leader of CBO (Community based organization). This gave strength to Durgavati and other women leaders of the community to organize gender rallies and created awareness about the rights of women and other rights and entitlements.

With the courage she got, she has established a Self-Help Group with 12 women members. The group started income generation by doing collective production of vegetables, goat rearing, and making bamboo products. This SHG has helped her in increasing the family’s income and she is also now able to enroll her children at school. At present, Durgavati is creating awareness in the community regarding government schemes and entitlements, and actively raising voice against women atrocities, and doing advocacy at district level regarding issues prevailed in the community.

Self-confidence, willingness, commitment, and sacrifice, have shaped a woman in different levels of life. Thus, women through their creativity and determination are taking steps to break gender barriers prevailing in the society and transform the viewpoint over women.

A very Happy Women’s Day to all the women out there.

By: Priyank Samuel, Communications Executive