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On a hot summer afternoon, walking through the inner lanes of the village, Naresh stops by at a shop to exchange pleasantries with a man. "Ram Ram ji, she greeted him. "Ram Ramâ the man replied and asked her where she was going. Naresh spoke to him briefly sharing with him her role as a PRIA Field Animator, purpose of visiting the village, and her close acquaintance with the village Sarpanch.
PRIA field animator Naresh on a visit to the village women
In an area where women still wear a long veil both at home and outside, it is significant how boldly Naresh walks and talks with the male members of the community . Her body language, the command in her voice and her conversational skills tell a lot about the confidence and empowerment she has. But she wasnât always like this, life had dramatically changed since the time she joined PRIA as a Field Animator.
As we walked with her inside the village we met a group of women sitting on the front door of a house. We sat down with them to have some casual conversations about their lives, the social issues that trouble them. As a Field Animator Naresh is required to go to villages and talk to women groups on issues such as female foeticide, dowry, domestic violence, but itâs not easy to talk on these issues with women who are so reluctant to share their personal issues with strangers. "So how are your children? How many are they?â She asked a common safe question to break the ice.
The group of women in the village sipping tea in their front court yard
Quick response came from one of them, "I have seven girls,â her voice and expressions seemed a bit unhappy. "Thatâs a good thing, be happy and proud about the fact that your daughters would nurture seven families.â Naresh replied giving a strong turn around to her perceptions and mindset.
Naresh spoke to the women for couple of hours mostly letting them speak on anything they wanted to discuss. Besides giving them a patience ear, she also made them aware of Government schemes such as Laadli Yojna and Kanyadaan, "Remember this for all time sake, and also share this information with your family and neighborhood, if you have two daughters you should fill the forms for Laadli yojna, do you have the yellow card? Did you get the Kanyaadan?â she asked. "These are your rights, you should fight for them, visit your Anganwadi center regularly, information about all government schemes and benefits are available thereâ¦â Naresh goes on giving them information and empowerment.
Naresh talking to the women about their problems
Soon Naresh was able to position herself as someone these women can reach out to with their problems. Meanwhile more women and girls from the neighborhood had gathered around us all eager to share their issues. Many girls in this village are not able to pursue education beyond class 8th since the village school doesnât have higher classes. One of the mothers said her daughter wants to study but sheâs too afraid to send her daughter to the next village to attend the school, "what if something bad happens on the way?â She was referring to rape and molestation, which are the biggest obstacle in girlâs education in this area.
Naresh tried to reason with her, âsomething badâ can happen even at home or in the village fields, we cannot end a young girlâs dreams for these reasons. Let her study.
A regular day in the life of a PRIA Field Animator working with the Gender team starts by such visits to the villages. Each animator has a set of villages where their task is to form women groups and discuss various issues with them, share information that can help them solve their issues and empower them. These animators have been chosen by PRIA from within the community on the basis of their ability to take leadership and mobilize the women of the community. As field animators they are bringing small but significant changes in the lives of the community members, and their own lives are being positively influenced and empowered by PRIA.
Naresh, was married at the young age of 14 a time when she didnât even know the meaning of marriage. After her marriage, she couldnât pursue her studies and life was confined within the four walls of her home. Life changed once she started going for PRIA meetings and learned about her rights. But it wasnât until she stood against her family and husband and fought with them to ensure right to education for her daughter, that she truly realized how much her association with PRIA has impacted her life. Today she has been able to bring a change in her familyâs mindset and is proud that her daughter is in the city studying and pursuing her dreams of being an international sports person. During her interactions with the community women, she is often heard saying, "sabse pehele anpe aap se dar nikalo, phir apne parivaar ko samjhao (First get the fear out of your own system, then convince your family)â
The story of Rajbala is not very different. She wanted to be a Kabaddi player but her dreams ended with her marriage. "My parents were themselves illiterate but never discriminated between boys and girls, they sent me to school along with my brothers, but after marriage I faced a lot of restriction,â she said. Like Naresh, she too had to struggle a lot to be able to send her daughter to the college. Her family would say, "Bahar mahol kharab hai, kuch cher char ho jayega (Outside world is not good, some eve-teasing would happen.â But she convinced them after a lot of struggle and today her daughter is studying in the college in Sonepat.
PRIA Field Animator Rajbala
The Field Animators have been working on various projects initiated by PRIA under the gender theme â Sakshar Mahila Samuh, Swyam Sahayata Samuha, Kanya Bhrun Hatya, Beti Sneh Samuh, Violence against Dalit women, WPEL (Women Political Empowerment and Leadership) to name a few. They are groomed by PRIA from time to time by giving them skill development workshops. Recently, the animators attended a sex and gender workshop at PRIA head office. When asked about what was their experience like, they said it was a memorable experience, something weâd never forget. There were so many things we have not heard before. We didnât know that if a husband forces his wife to have relation (sex) that also is a rape.
PRIA’s MobiliseHER team traveled to Bangalore during the week of June, 10 – 14, 2024. The aim of the visit was to gain relevant insights into the civil society ecosystem in Bangalore and meet different organisations to understand the city through a lens of gender and inclusive mobility.
Working at PRIA, often leads us to various cities across the country. Each trip is an opportunity to witness firsthand the challenges and triumphs of different communities.
Mr. Yedukrishnan V has recently joined PRIA after gaining valuable experience in the development sector. Drawing from his journey in the social sector and personal encounters in Kerala, he emphasises the importance of participatory governance and research in empowering marginalised communities.'
