Women, Youth and Child Development
For women empowerment, women awareness camps are organised in villages of the operational area to make them aware of their rights and duties. Apart from the local rural women, local representatives also participate in these camps.
The area suffers from high rates of illiteracy among women. A small beginning was made in the year 2010, when 35 women above 15 years age started attending a condensed course at Namna village in Shankarpur village in Udaipur development block of Surguja district. These women completed their course in the year 2012. The progress of the programme was monitored by high government officials.
Somewhat unorganised efforts in the field of literacy were made in 23 villages in three districts and the results are now visible. People are themselves coming forward and carrying ahead literacy related activities.
Condition of child labour in the area is pitiable. The organisation is making all out efforts to create awareness among the people on the issue of child labour, who are mostly engaged in local eateries, bus stands, stone crushers and agriculture. Pamphlets against the menace were also printed and distributed. As a result, many villagers took enrolled their children in schools.
The area suffers from two social vices – child marriage and witch maltreatment. Because of child marriage, development of children suffers. On the other hand widows and divorcees are branded as witch and maltreated so as to usurp their land. Information about law to prevent witch maltreatment is being given to panchayat representatives, mitatins (grassroots health workers) and cultural organisations. As a result of the organisation’s efforts, child marriages are declining and affected women are raising their voice against witch branding.
An effort is also underway to develop personality of young men and women through camps and sports. So far this has benefited over 600 youths. The opportunity is used to impart information about youth related government schemes.