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Tens of thousands of village councils, the lowest rung of governance in India, are headed by women due to a law that mandates at least one third of the positions be reserved for women. Several states have increased that number to 50%. However, in many conservative regions, the real power is often wielded by the men in the women’s family. Anjana Pasricha reports from northern India on a local university that is teaching women heads of village councils to take charge
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PLAYBOOK SLUG: India Women Empowerment
HEADLINE: Teaching Women Leaders in Indian Villages to Take Charge
TEASER: Although thousands of women head village councils, the real power is still wielded by men
PUBLISHED AT: Wednesday, 05/10/2023 at 11am
BYLINE: Anjana Pasricha
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Khanpur Kalan, Haryana, India
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd, wpm
VIDEO SOURCE: VOA Original
PLATFORMS: WEB _x_ TV _x_ RADIO _x_
TRT: 3:08
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: There is an accompanying WEB))
((INTRO))
[[Tens of thousands of village councils, the lowest rung of governance in India, are headed by women due to a law that mandates at least one third of the positions be reserved for women. Several states have increased that number to 50%. However, in many conservative regions, the real power is often wielded by the men in the women’s family. Anjana Pasricha reports from northern India on a local university that is teaching women heads of village councils to take charge.]]
((NARRATOR))
Sangeeta Malik only steps out of her home with her head covered – a longstanding tradition in villages in India’s Haryana state. Since being elected as head of the village council seven months ago, she is usually accompanied by her husband.
((Sangeeta Malik, Khanpur Kalan Village Council Head (female in Hindi))
“Men take all the decisions here. Women stay in the backdrop.”
((NARRATOR))
While tens of thousands of women lead village councils in the conservative, patriarchal state, power is often wielded by the men in the family. Traditionally confined to housekeeping roles, women like Malik never questioned men’s authority.
Sudesh Chhikara is vice chancellor at Bhagat Phool Singh Women’s University.
[[RADIO:
((Sudesh Chhikara, Bhagat Phool Singh Women’s University (female in English))
“They had a very low self-belief about themselves and their roles. They believed that their role is not to lead, the men will lead the village and the family as well. So it was basically because of the social construct.”
((NARRATOR))
Realizing that this was defeating the aim of empowering women at the grassroot level, the university launched programs to teach them to take charge.
[[FOR RADIO: Sudesh Chhikara is vice chancellor at Bhagat Phool Singh Women’s University.][
((Sudesh Chhikara, Bhagat Phool Singh Women’s University, female in English))
“We wanted to tell them that this is a very responsible role they have, and they can do it very effectively. When they can manage their home, they can manage their village also.”
((NARRATOR))
They were taught to bring women’s perspective in development issues in the village and to use funds allocated to the council for issues such as education and health.
The message is having an impact. Malik now encourages women to articulate their problems.
((Sangeeta Malik, Kanpur Kalan Village Council Head (female in Hindi))
“I want to ensure that the village gets better quality water and that the streets are cleaned.”
((NARRATOR))
Nearby villages are also witnessing a change -- another head wants to help women become economically independent.
[[FOR RADIO: Parmila Kumari is head of the Kailana Khas Village Council]]
((Parmila Kumari, Kailana Khas Village Council head, female in Hindi))
“I want to open a stitching center and a beauty parlor, which could create employment opportunities for women.”
(((NARRATOR))
Sheila Devi wants to ensure that children get the full benefit of government-run nutrition programs. She also wants to explore the possibility of shutting down liquor shops.
((Sheila Devi, Gamri Village Council Head, female in Hindi))
“Many women come to me complaining that their husbands come home drunk and create trouble or beat them.”
((NARRATOR))
Counselors see a slow transformation as women become more articulate.
[[FOR RADIO: Manju Panwar heads the social work department at Bhagat Phool Singh Women’s University (female in English)))
((Manju Panwar, Bhagat Phool Singh Women’s University (female in English))
“We have seen there is a change in their attitudes, change in their skills and change in the knowledge.”
((NARRATOR))
But breaking age-old traditions is not easy. The village heads say they must work with their husbands.
((Parmila Kumari, Kailana Khas Village Council Head, female in Hindi))
“We must get the consent of men. We can only pursue our ideas if they agree.”
((NARRATOR))
Making women ready to take independent charge will take time, but a start has been made.
((Anjana Pasricha for VOA News, Khanpur Kalan, Haryana, India))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 10, 2023 10:18 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English