Thanks to NGO Chingari, rural women who suffered from injustice now taking lead in reducing injustice caused to others

By Bharat Dogra

PM, an educated girl with an MA degree in Hindi literature, comes from Magaura village in Banda district (UP). For nearly 24 years she endured domestic violence and insulting behaviour in her marriage, but when she could take it no more, she came back with her three children (two daughters and a son) to live with her parents in her maternal village. Here she contacted a women’s organization Chingari (translated as spark) and it was in the course of her counselling and sharing here that she developed the consciousness that she can assert her legal rights to get justice.

When she formally filed complaints against the violence and injustice inflicted on her, her husband and his father finally expressed regret and agreed to compensate her with a monthly support of Rs. 12500. At the time of writing she has received two such monthly instalments. With this support PM has a new confidence of her ability to support herself and her children. Her children and particularly her eldest daughter have been a source of great support for her in her struggle for justice.

What is more, apart from getting justice for herself, PM is now very keen to help other women to avoid the fate of violence and injustice, and she is getting involved with Chingari for this, reaching out to assist several other women.

Women who have suffered the pain of violence and insults realize how painful this can be, and it is not surprising that once they get relief due to the efforts of Chingari they are also keen to contribute to the efforts for reducing the injustice being suffered by others.

Such help is particularly needed in the context of women and girls from poorest families. MD of Malhara village was returning around evening from toilet in fields when she was stopped by a local ruthless person (dabang). This dabang tried to molest her but when Manju succeeded in raising an alarm, he ran away. When Manju and her father, who are dalits, went to register a complaint with the police, initially there were several problems. The aggrieved family then approached Chingari organization. The women activists of Chingari helped them and took up the matter with police officials. On their intervention the complaint was registered and the dabang culprit was arrested.

*Kammo is a woman of Naugawan village who faced increasing difficulties as her husband had not been well for some time. In difficult conditions she was trying to get her house constructed when a ruthless person (dabang) arbitrarily demanded Rs. 20,000 from her and when she could not pay this amount her house construction was stopped. When she approached the police, her request was not heard and her pleas were ignored. In this difficult situation she approached Chingari who initiated legal action against the dabang and others acting in collusion with him. While this case proceeded, the pressure on Kammo eased and she could go ahead with her house construction which has now been completed and she is now living here with her family.

*In Tirra Ka Purva hamlet in Atarra Gramin the Anganwadi was not functioning properly and the nutritious food was not being distributed properly. An activist of Chingari named Santoshi mobilized the people here to raise their voice for proper implementation of this important nutrition scheme. With their support she filed complaints with the relevant authorities. The authorities after examining the matter took corrective actions and now the anganwadi functioning here has improved.

* In Shabdapurva hamlet of Gramin Atarra panchayat the anganwadi had not operated properly as the in-charge of this centre had stopped coming and performing duties after her husband was elected as a pradhan. The Chingari organization activists took up this matter in a strong united way with the authorities who took remedial actions and now the anganwadi is functioning as per norms here.

Chingari is primarily a women’s organization which has been struggling relentlessly for the empowerment of women, for the protection of women and girls from violence, injustice and discrimination, and for the better implementation of various protective laws and welfare schemes. Despite being primarily an organization of women, this organization does not exclude the active participation and cooperation of those men who agree with the aims and aspirations of Chingari and at times they also make important contributions in various struggles. At the same time, issues which are not just merely women’s issues but are important issues for the entire community (for example better functioning of schools or mid-day meals scheme) are also taken up by Chingari.

However a very important concern for Chingari as a women’s organization remains that of working for the justice, equality and safety of women.

In Banda district Chingari organization is active in Naraini, Mahuwa and Bisanda blocks and has about 10,000 members spread over about 90 villages. It has a relationship of cooperation with Vidya Dham Samiti (VDS), an organization which shares its values, aims and aspirations.

Chingari chaupals or community gatherings are organized once every month to discuss various recent incidents and problems. Women victims of violence and injustice come at these chaupals regularly and after carefully listening to their problems and injustices or violence suffered by them, the future course of action including legal support and meetings with various officials are decided. Such support is particularly important for those women who come from poor and vulnerable households. At present Chingari is involved in assisting over 50 such women in various legal cases. These efforts have resulted in bringing much-needed relief to a large number of women victims, and have also contributed to reducing violence against women in a region known for high incidence of such violence, although a lot remains to be done to further reduce this serious social problem.

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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include 'Man over Machine', 'A Day in 2071' and 'Protecting Earth for Children'

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