International Womens Day

(IWD) Report 2015

11519 benefitted from 99 health camps organized for 124 villages across 17
project locations. 25,552 people participated in International Womens Day
from 335 villages across 24 project locations of 11 states
Basis
Reliance Foundation (RF) celebrated International Womens
Day (IWD) on 8th of March as an event to bring women
together to speak, recognize their efforts and for the collective
happiness. The official United Nations theme for International
Women's Day 2015 was "Empowering Women - Empowering
Humanity: Picture It! Reliance Foundation decided to
celebrate this year IWD on the theme Health and Women as
good health is must for any form of empowerment. IWD was celebrated at numerous levels Creating
awareness about health, health camps for check-up and consultations and various cultural programs
organised by VFAs

Objectives

Reflection of past experiences of women in development and seeking opportunities for

larger role for women in Village Farmers Association

Recognize the women achievers

Enhanced awareness about health and linkage with nutrition among women

Sharing the health status of the project area

Specific highlights
Health camps organized for women of all project villages in cluster such as Panna and Adoni to
took stock of health conditions of women in their project region.
VFAs of Jamai launched a scheme named Apki beti Hamari Beti for girl child where VFA will
reward the parents with 501 rupees for every girl child born in the village and will link the scheme to
Sukanya Samriddhi account in post office.
Amari Geet Mala (Collection of songs) is an energizer book
prepared and released by the women VFA members of Netrang
containing 22 songs on different themes such as Strength of
institution, motivational songs for women, awareness against
alcoholism, promotion of nutrition etc.

Government departments organized separate stalls

during IWD in Radhanpur, such as Mission Mangalam on
Capacity building, Police on Women Security, ICDS
department on Nutrition, and Primary health centre on
Womens health emphasising the overall theme for the
event. Information sharing of the Government schemes,
process of availing and benefits with the participants.
Rally was organized in clusters at Jamai, Yavatmal and Rajam to demonstrate the power of women
and emphasized on women leaders such as Mother Teresa, Rani Laxmibai, and Savitri Phule, who
devoted their life for the society. Rally attracted lot of girl students to be part of the procession.
Mission Mangalam of Netrang put up stall showcasing the Warli and bamboo crafts as an opportunity
for alternate livelihood for women.
Series of Income Generation Activities and livelihood trainings conducted in VFAs of Gadag with
the support of women scientist from KVK enabling towards financial security.
General health camps organized for both male and female
members in Uttarkashi and also the doctors emphasized on
the physical exercise, yoga and cleanliness for better health.
Health camps organized for school children in Agar cluster.
Women representatives from 9 VFAs of Adoni cluster
participated for first time in an exposure visit to the thrift
cooperatives promoted by CDF and visited the Womens Dairy promoted by the womens thrift
cooperatives as part of increasing their motivation levels.
Women thrift groups and VFA representatives took the entire ownership of planning, organizing and
execution of the entire event in Seoni.
Womens week celebrated in Sawai Madhopur by
organizing the series of health camps. Women thrift
groups played significant role in designing and
managing the event. Women Self Help Groups
shared the significance of savings and credit with the
audience. Strong winds and rain hampered the event
but the community showed their enthusiasm by quickly reorganizing the event at a new place.

Executive Committee members of VFA in Rajnandgaon conducted informal survey and discussion
with Anganwadi workers, school teachers, village nurse to identify the health issues of the villages.
VFA reps shared the findings with health departments at various level and organized health camps
for their villages.
Best

practitioners

for

RNG

and

other

interventions recognized in majority of the

clusters. Recognition and rewards given to
households of Mandla to those of whom have
promoted education of their daughter in laws,
educating their daughters, and two oldest women
members of VFA regularly participating in VFA meetings.
Medical team in Karaikudi did awareness program on women health mainly focussing on anaemia
covering the symptoms, causes, effects and remedies. Emphasis on the consumption of vegetables and
clarified lot of queries that came from the community regarding nutrition intake and balance diet.
Women members from four villages expressed their interest to form Village Farmer Association after
IWD celebrations at Modasa.

Outcomes:

Women members became aware about their health status

Baseline Health & nutrition data maintained for women

Recognition of best practitioners and platform to share their experience

Increased ownership by women right from planning to execution of the event

Increased motivation for women members

Established Collaboration with numerous stakeholders especially government department

Way Forward:

Health camps for every member of all VFA of RF BIJ

Focus on nutrition and health of VFA members

Ensuring enhanced space provided for women especially at decision making level

Impressions:
I was very happy to see a lady doctor as many of us will
not hesitate to discuss our health problems with her
-Sulochana Devi, Rudraprayag
I remember the first time, no women member was ready
to perform on stage and every one was going back, but see
them today, they are demanding to play more songs to
dance.
-Dhoom Singh Rana, Rudraprayag
Earlier we were not keen on our food but after formation of VFAs, Nutritional matters and its intake
has become a discussion point in our houses
Jhansi of M J Valasa VFA, Rajam
It was life time opportunity for me discussing with district collector and other government officials
for inviting them for IWD
- Sita ben of Motibhuwal VFA, Modasa
Why have just a day dedicated to us when we have the power to make every day, our day!! I am
feeling more powerful and united after being part of the IWD
- Leela Ben, Khanpar VFA, Jasdan

I remember the first time when no women member was ready to perform on stage and everyone was
going back, but happy to sees them today demanding more games to play more games to play.

Rajkumari bai, Moyari, Jamai

I thought we will playing sports during women's day celebration but surprisingly I was called to
come on stage and speak about the work. I was frightened seeing the huge gathering but I am happy
that I spoke what I wanted that too from my heart"
-Helen Marandi, Bhalpahari VFA, Deoghar

KEY STATS:
Number of clusters celebrating IWD:

24

Total number of participation:

25,552

Number of clusters organized Health camps:

17

Number of health camps:

99

Number of villages benefitted:

124

Total number of people benefited:

IWD 2015

Health Camps

S.No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Cluster
Jamai
Sendhwa
Bidar
Mandla
Rajnandgaon
Jasdan
Agar
Sawai Madhopur
Rudrayaprayag
Adoni
Balangir
Kamareddy
Karaikudi
Rajam
Gangakhed
Uttarkashi

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

Deoghar
Modasa
Netrang
Seoni
Banswara
Panna
Radhanpur
Yavatmal
Gadag
Jamwa Ramgarh

Total

11,519

Number of
Health camps

IWD celebration
Number of Number of
participant
Number of Village Number of Beneficiaries Village
10
10
860
9
6285
23
27
3
14
1
18
15
9

550
1017
610
1500
68
750
645
1140

3
5
14
23
5

248
632
595
1025
385
1502
1450
857
2600
756
350
422
500
700
965

25552

3
12
10
7
5
9

3
12
10
7
5
9

532
1500
1264
700
199
1140

4
4
1

4
5
5

336
352
230

384

3
6
2

3
12
2

177
600
122

11

554

8
1

8
13

2400
169

18
16
15
28
11
5
13
25
10
25

99

124

11519

335

Note:
Clusters celebrated IWD and health camps
Clusters celebrated IWD
Clusters yet to celebrate IWD

SNAPSHOT FROM CLUSTERS

Yavatmal, Maharashtra

Rally organized for creating awareness

Speech focussing on the women and health rights

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Health camps organized at VFA level

Seoni, Madhya Pradesh

Recognition of women member

Folk songs and dance performance

Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan

Women enjoying the local games

Health camps organized

Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Experience sharing and dance programs

Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh

Health camps organized in collaboration with Government Health departments

Rajam, Andhra Pradesh

Health camp covering aged woman also

VFA REPS sharing their experiences

Radhanpur, Gujarat

Stall organized by Police department

Women taking the opportunity to speak up

about Women Security

Panna, Madhya Pradesh

Recognition of Best Practioners RNG Health Check-up, Consultation and Treatment

Netrang, Gujarat

Amari Geet Mala book prepared and released

Tribal dance performance by women

Modasa, Gujarat

Skit performed by VFA members

Health camp

Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

Huge participation of Women

Rally during the IWD

Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu

Health camp organized and doctors also conducted street play on Health

Kamareddy, Telangana

Moment of happiness

Health camp

Jasdan, Gujarat

Women celebrating with colour

GVK EMRI Women helpline addressing the awareness

Jamwa Ramgarh, Rajasthan

Colourful celebration of International Womens Day

Jamai, Madhya Pradesh

Rally organized for creating awareness

Women members enjoying Kabbadi

Gangakhed, Maharashtra

Women along with their demo RNG model

Health camp organized

Gadag, Karnataka

Health camps organized

Training organized on Income Generation Activities

Deoghar, Jharkhand

Proud VFA member anchoring the event

Nutritional attire showcasing the

importance of vegetables consumption

Bidar, Karnataka

Celebration of International Womens Day

Banswara, Rajasthan

Sports, fun, celebration and happiness as part of IWD

Agar, Madhya Pradesh

Every health camp beneficiary got their health cards

Health camp for school children

Adoni, Andhra Pradesh

Women with their health cards

Exposure visit of women representatives from VFAs

to milk dairy established by Womens Cooperative