Reducing gender discrimination through collective approach by the women groups in Sundarbans

• Primary objective of Mukti Voice is introducing the concept of gender and gender discrimination among women groups in Sundarbans that the women can take collective actions to reduce gender based issues (such as child marriage, trafficking, school dropout, gender violence etc) in their locality.
• The project is organized into two layers. The first layer comprises a woman action group consisting of 20 women.
• In the second layer, village-level women groups are formed. Training and orientation programs are initially conducted with the woman action group, who then replicate the process with the village-level groups.
• Each Voice member oversees a village-level group, typically composed of 10-12 women members.
• Over the course of the first and second phases of the project, gender sensitization workshops have been conducted to cultivate a foundational understanding of gender among the woman action group members.

• The project commenced in January 2021 and is presently ongoing in the designated region.
• A committed Project Coordinator, Field Supervisor, and volunteers diligently monitor the project’s progress on a regular basis.
• In the upcoming phase, our focus will extend to fostering a foundational understanding of gender within the village-level men’s group.
• Additionally, the woman action group (WAG) will actively collaborate to address various rights-based issues, such as land rights, fisherfolk rights, and entitlement rights. Together, we aim to seek sustainable solutions and promote equitable practices within the community.

Mathurapur II block, South 24 Parganas, Sundarbans

• Suffered and tortured women and children of proposed underdeveloped villages are now sufficiently aware and conscious about their democratic and human rights.
• Women are now started to enjoy their social justice rights, the domestic violence against women has reduced.
• Women are now participating in decision making affairs and involving themselves in the development activities.