The Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard have come together to organize this joint initiative called “Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World.” This competition aims to help young changemakers create a better world of opportunities for women and girls in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
The competition seeks entries from 18-35 year olds to submit a 5-minute platform to pitch their inspired idea to the world. There is an opportunity to win a $25,000 grant.The grant must show creativity and sustainable impact in the lives of women and girls across Asia, Pacific, the Middle East or Africa through entrepreneurship.
Entries should be submitted in the form of a (maximum) 5-minute video or a (maximum) 2-page A4-sized proposal.
Video entries are to be uploaded on any public video-sharing sites, such as YouTube or Vimeo. Links to the videos must be provided on the submission e-form.
Submissions, either video OR written, must be made in English.
Each proposal should address the following questions:
- What is your inspirational idea?
- How will your project change the lives of women and girls in the short and long term?
- How will you/your team carry out the project?
- How will you spend the US$25,000 grant to carry out the project?
- How will you measure the success of the project?
Submissions should be accompanied by information on the existing program, biographies of the team members and any supporting materials (e.g. website, social media channels, media clippings, past awards)
The deadline to submit entries is 30 June 2012. For more information, visit this link.
Golomoti Active AIDS Support Organization (GASO)
P. O. Box 44, Golomoti, Dedza, Malawi.
Contact Person:Justin Chimangeni.
Inspirational Idea: Cooking Oil Processing Plant for Women and girls Economic Empowerment
BACKGROUND AND SITUATION ANALYSIS
Golomoti Active AIDS Support Organization (GASO) is a community Based not for profit Non Governmental Organization working in the remote rural communities of Golomoti and Traditional Authority Kachindamoto in Dedza district, Malawi. These communities are located very remote 250km away from Lilongwe (capital city).The communities lay on the shores of Lake Malawi. GASO implements a number of programs that include Gender and Human Rights, Women Empowerment and HIV and AIDS.
The above programs are the only hope for our women in the community. Through the programs we raise awareness on gender, human rights and HIV/AIDS. We empower women with skills in different areas of importance for example women are encouraged to be in groups for easy organization. In such groups we offer trainings in leadership, entrepreneurial and other relevant skills. We also provide counseling and support to abused women, girls and children but the challenge has been inadequate support due to funding. We want to bring hope and relief to the women through initiatives under this project. Women in their respective groups carry out welfare and agricultural activities amongst themselves. More interesting there is a group of women living with HIV .It has a membership of 128 women including a few girls. Profits realized from the project will be used to support and further the activities of these women groups. Below are a few issues that jeopardize the lives of women and girls in Malawi especially in our community;
There are many orphans and widows resulting from deaths of husbands who in most cases are breadwinners. This predisposes women to HIV and AIDS as they resort to promiscuity in order to sustain the household’s living standards. Prostitution is very high amongst these vulnerable women and girls due to poverty as they take it as the only and cheapest alternative to generating income.
There are cultural practices that negatively impact on women and girls such as ‘Chimwanamaye’ (wife swapping) whereby friends exchange wives so that they experience change. The wrong belief is that by practicing Chimwanamaye, Chances of having extra marital sex or affairs are reduced and they cannot engage in sex with somebody they don’t know. Unfortunately these people do not go for HIV testing before swapping their partners nor do they consult the women before they agree. There is also a cultural practice of Chokolo (Wife Inheritance) which does not seek women’s consent. In this way women’s rights are violated and hundreds of women contract HIV in the process. Girls are mostly affected by cultural initiation ceremonies.
It is estimated that over 35% of the population are living with HIV and most of these are women and young girls.
THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON WOMEN, CHILDREN AND GIRLS
The project is expected to benefit 1000 women and girls including 128 women of the Golomoti Active AIDS Support Organization (GASO) support group of women living with HIV and AIDS. The project intends to create jobs for 14 women who will be directly involved in the management of the project. The income realized from this IGA will be used to support needs of the GASO support group of Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) which has 128 members and other women groups. Nutrition has been a challenge for WLHIV all along. People take ARVs without taking any food. This has resulted in PLHIV skipping some days without taking ARVs especially during the lean months of the year (November-March). This is the period when the harvest is almost exhausted in most poor households.
The project will provide nutritional needs for women living with HIV most of whom are caring for orphans. The project will provide resources through the direct provision of food, cooking oil itself, farm inputs for their maize fields and other social needs such as blankets, and mosquito nets to control Malaria which frequently occur among WLHIV and children. These women have children who on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART). Women will be asked to bring locally available food items like vegetables during their group therapy sessions. Other food supplements will be provided using the project’s resources. We shall engage the services of the nutritionist to help the women in nutritious food preparation using locally available foods. The food prepared during group therapies will be consumed right at that particular group meeting. We hope to reduce ART defaulters and AIDS related deaths among WLHIV with this project. We hope that more people living with HIV will be encouraged to come out in the open to declare their sero status and join this support group thereby reducing the spread of HIV. The project will provide training in farm manure making for the women so that they harvest enough without spending on fertilizer. It also recommended by health experts that it is unhealthy for people living with HIV to consume food substances which were grown using fertilizer. Awareness will not be limited to HIV/AIDS but
Girls in primary and secondary education especially those orphaned or from poor households will be supported with school supplies including uniform and fees. Currently GASO has in its register 27 Orphaned and Vulnerable Girls in secondary schools and of these only 3 are being supported by the organization due to luck of resources. It is hoped that the project will provide the solution to the problems faced by girls. The project will strengthen our program of helping girls to get excellent education and achieve gender equality/equity. We have for long wanted to introduce an award for girls in education whose performance has been good in class so as to create competition amongst our girls in the communities we work. We would like to use this project to achieve our goals to have more girls completing secondary education by introducing this award. Currently, only 15-18 percent of girls complete secondary education due to the existing poverty, gender disparities, early pregnancies, forced and early marriages and other cultural factors, beliefs and abuses.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
To economically empower women and girls by creating a special fund for Micro financing and Entrepreneurship training using profits realized.
To create jobs for 14 women from different women support groups.(These will work as volunteers but after a year a little stipend will be introduced to motivate them)
Improve the nutrition of women and girls living with HIV and ensure a 100% adherence for those on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) through the provision of livelihood programs such as farm inputs, trainings and direct food and nutritional support to their families.
To empower girls by providing educational support for girls from poorest house holds and those affected by HIV and AIDS through the provision of school fees, uniform, note books and other school supplies.
To provide support to abused women and girls. (long term)
Conduct trainings on HIV/AIDS and Human and Women’s Rights to create broad awareness.
We believe that education is a vey important tool to fighting poverty among women and girls. Fighting poverty among women and girls by economically empowering them will launch the meaningful fight against poverty, gender based violence, unfriendly cultural practices and HIV and AIDS. We hope to restore the dignity women and consequently achieve MDGs 1, 3 and 4.
HOW WILL OUR TEAM CARRYOUT THE PROJECT
Our project team will have ten members which include one man and nine women and girls. The four females are representatives of the beneficiaries and the male member has been approved by women to provide technical support and coordination on the project. He is the one who negotiated with chiefs to have the land ready for this project for free because without the land we would not have applied for this project. Below is the biography and responsibilities of the project team.
Justin Chimangeni: Project Coordinator responsible for monitoring and technical support
Occupation: A dedicated young man aged 32. Social Worker with Certificate in working with individuals, families and communities affected by adversity (HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Conflict, and Displacement) from the University of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN), South Africa. Trainer in Gender, HIV and AIDS mainstreaming and has worked for a decade in HIV/AIDS and managing community based projects. He is a Social Change Agent trained by the University of Manhattan, USA. He is the founder of GASO (a community based NGO) and he leads most of the social networks in the district.
Gladys Lipenga: She is an account person in the project responsible for financial payments and records. She and the three women below shall be responsible for procurement of all project materials and she holds an Accounting Certificate.
Anne Peter: In secondary school (final year).Responsible for procurement and any other support.
Joyce Juga and Elizabeth Lazarus: Both completed secondary education and are Trainers in Positive Living for people living with HIV and AIDS. During this project she is responsible for procurement and any other support.
The other five are support staff who will be responsible for mobilization of community support and materials.
4. BUDGETING AND EXPENDITURE
The funds of the project will be used for the procurement and installation or planting of the cooking oil pressing machinery, procurement of start up raw materials (groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower) and the construction of a building for the plant; Procurement and transportation of building materials. Procurement of the oil pressing equipment consists of the following; Mincer: This can produce 1.5 tones of cooking oil in 24hours. Motor (7.5 HP). Filter, Start up raw materials: Groundnuts/Soya beans or Sunflower: 5000kgs, Installation (Planting) and Transportation of all materials.
The funds will also be used for Electricity connection; Electrical items/equipment procurement and labor (electrician).
Below is a detailed budget outline of the project funds. It has been prepared in Malawi Kwacha(MK) local currency just divide the amounts with 160 to find US Dollars.
Machinery: Mincer (1.5 tones in 24 hours):1*320 000 = 320 000
Filter:1*405 090 = 405 090
Motor (7.5 HP):1*108 000 = 108 000
Installation/Planting:1*80 000 = 80 000
Transportation of materials:5 trip*50 000 = 250 000
Start up raw material: Groundnuts/Soya beans:5000 kg*200 = 1 000 000
Electrical materials:1*260 000 = 260 000
Fee for electrician:1*50 000 = 50 000
Electricity Connection fees:1*120 000 = 120 000
Cement for installation:100 bags*4 700 = 470 000
Doors for the building:5*12 000 = 60 000
Door frames:5*9 500 = 47 500
Iron sheets:60*4 000 = 240 000
Timber:120 pieces*900 = 108 000
Wire and roof nails:50 kg*600 = 30 000
Bricks:30 000*5.00 = 150 000
Transportation for bricks:6 trip*6 000 = 36 000
Contractor’s fee:1*150 000 = 150 000
Project surveys (evaluation):2* 57 705 = 115 410
Total Project Cost: 4 000 000 Equivalent to US$25 000
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
The success of the project will be measured by the following;
• Conduct a survey to establish the real situation amongst beneficiaries through random Interviews, gatherings and home visits
• Conduct monthly and quarterly monitoring meetings with the beneficiaries(women and girls) and other stakeholders
• Conduct end of project survey to compare with results of the first survey.
INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FOR RURAL WOMEN
(ISCDRW)
I PROBLEM SATAEMENT
A hapless victim of the clash between the traditional system of pastoral domination and the pressing demand for income expected of the women, again of deprivation arising from lack of basic amenities of life and finally of closed system of social interaction Rural women remain bony withered off the life of enriching exposure and experience.
II SSEED CAPABILITY STATEMENT
As required on the part of any non profit making organizations, SSEED bridges effectively the gulf between the change agents and the target group; the change agents include the funding agencies and the government agencies. SSEED has done exceptionally well the role of liaison particularly between government and the target group. This is exceptional in view of the fact that with minimum of administrative expenses, it is able to mobilize the asset worth of Rs.8,27,80,000/-which includes micro credit savings ,bank loans and finally infrastructure with the cost of Rs.20000000 covering 10000 families in the tree blocks or the projects. It has brought various services of the bank and has established infrastructure particularly check dam and thus facilitating effective agricultural operations. The outstanding feature of SSEED’s initiative is that it is able to do the asset formation and mobilization at the price which will be very low in the eyes of any service organizations.
Of SSEED, it should be stated, it is one of the operative non profit-making service organizations working in south Tamilnadu in India assisting all government development agencies in carrying out their developmental programs effectively.
III PROJECT GOAL
Equitable Development of women to realize their potential for growth on par with men’s share in civilization – building initiative.
I PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1. IMPACT OBJECTIVES
To bring about lasting changes which ensures the reduction in the rate of occurrence of violence against women and the amelioration of sufferings resulting from the absence of adequate measures of various securities such as health, social and economic. To make in place all the self contained institutional setting underlying the above changes.
2. ACTION OBJECTIVES
1. To establish various functional committees taking care of various need of women with relevant resource persons aiding specialized care.
2. Formation of functional committees as health, legal care and social development.
3. Establishment of self-revolving health care system which includes setting up of health- dispensaries covering 5 villages, identification of and training for health women animators and finally arranging for regular visit of gynecologist to dispensaries and for health camps.
4. Formation of legal aid and holding awareness campaigns for measures against various abases like domestic violence, sex abase in working and non-working situations.
5. Establishing forum for sharing problems views and deducting on the course of actions with the specialized guidance offered by women social experts.
IV ACTIVITIES
1. Identification of the group of villages for intervention.
2. Initial Rapport building Exercises.
3. Conducting series of meetings.
4. Formation and Finalization of BI-LAWS of various functional committees.
5. Annual Planning Exercises.
6. Arranging for camps and holding various camps.
7. Arranging for Block level Three days “Awakened Women Conference”.
8. Declaration of Resolutions and future plans.
V CONCURRENT EVALUATION
1. Monthly Review Meeting.
2. Vibrance – Testing visit by the project Leaders.
3. Crisis management cell formation.
VI POST MORTEM EVALUATION
1. Encouraging Development expert to develop indicator for the measurement of impact of the Programme on women empowerment.
2. Conducting the study and making the report available to the project office and the funder.
3. Participatory evaluation, in the form of preparing for the women conference.
4. Resolutions passed during the conference and the future porgramme of the women.
VII BUDGET
The budget has been worked in Indian Rupee and dividing it by 50 we can arrive at the dollar amount requested.
1 Committee Formate 1 Time 20,000
2. Legal Awareness camp (20,000 *5) 5 Camps 1,00,000
3. Conference 1Time 2,00,000
4. Establishment of 5 Dispensaries:-
Rent per Month
Medicine
Doctor Fees
Health worker
Animator
(2000*12*5)
(10,000*5)
(4,000*12*5)
(5,000*12*5)
(1,500*12*5)
1,20,000
50,000
2,40,000
3,00,000
90,000
Service and Maintenance cost 11,20,000
1,50,000
12,70,000
In terms of dollar in budget has been worth out to be Twenty-five Thousand only.
ERRAGUDUR VILLAGE NOW ON ECO – FRIENDLY
MODEL VILLAGE IN ANDHRA PRADESH
______________________________________________________________________
In 1992 started social voluntary organization of P.S.S. Educational Development society (NGO) and inaugurated a eco friendly model Erragudur village of Pamulapadu Mandal Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh that was worked and Heavy blasting by Telugu Ganga Project work in 2006. The village lives in Erragudur Grama Panchayat and has been built under the take Relief and Rehabitation programme by P.S.S Educational development society (NGO) and Blue cross youth seva sangam Executive Secretary Bathula Sanjeevarayudu erragudur is located beside of Telugu ganga project & Pothureddy padu project of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. The Housing and social infrastructure was by P.S.S Educational Development Society and Blue Cross (NGO) thousands of many verities of plants planted within Erragudur village.
With the Govt support the rehabitation and reconstruction activities in Erragudur village Gram Panchayat located in the remotest parts of Nallamalla Forests has little external connectivity’s linkage, electricity, drinking water supply sanitation, special schools of ST Sugali (Banjara), internal roads and is prove to frequent natural disaster. This development was conceptualized, planned and implemented by PSS Educational Development Society and Blue Cross Youth Seva Sangam (NGO) as an Eco – friendly model village with aim to transform the life style of the effected community and narrow the gap between the privileged and under privileged sections of the society. PSS Educational Development society and Blue cross youth seva sangam (NGO) B.Sanjeevarayudu under took a holistic planning approach and use innovative themes and ideas while drawing up this village. Pothureddy padu project widening of work used heavy blasting by contract company. 574 houses fully damaged by heavy blasting. The NGO Team ensured full involvement of the affected communities by beneficiaries during the entire cycle of development & welfare of process. It took consideration the present socio economic profile, people’s sentiments and preference and provided facilities and amenities such as drinking water supply, sanitation, amenity building, cattle sheds, machaans, (raised resting plat forms). Shade net, green house, adequate open areas including children play areas, space for communities participation, besides creating disaster resistant dwelling unitis, Animal welfare & Development, The NGO team under B.Sanjeevarayudu ensured full involvement of the affected people and beneficiaries during the entire cycle of development process several green and eco efficience features. Were in corporate in planning, design and contruction.
Additionally PSS Educational Development Society & Blue Cross Youth Seva Sangham (NGO) ensured extensive usage of locally available materials, skill sets and employed the local work force in this project. Erragudur village most back word and heavy blasting effected village a year ago, now erragudur village to day has been completely transformed and boasts of a clean environment good ambience and safe living with all facilities like water supply, sanitation, greenery amenity buildings, lighting, Education, Health, Banking, formation of womenself help groups, A.P. Government all programmes implementation, linkage roads with other villages good implementation of MNREGS Programme Animal welfare etc., NGO Executive Secretary Bathula Sanjeevarayudu take special efforts and concentration dedicatedly done.
Mr. Bathula Sanjeevarayudu has relentlessly worked in the field of eco development, Animal welfare, wild life protection, villages development programmes for last 32 years, Mr. Sanjeevarayudu has faced many life threatening situations while implementing all welfare and development programmes and Govt. Programmes also. He has played a major role in educating people to give up the ritual of superstitions in Rural areas.
CONTACT ADDRESS:
B.SANJEEVA RAYUDU,
Excecutive secretary
PSSEDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY,
ERRGUDURU – 518442
PAMULAPADU MANDAL
KURNOOL DISTRICT.
ANDHRA PRADESH ,INDIA
Women Development Organization (WDO)
Women Development Organization (WDO) a fitting forum that seeks to empower communities especially women to become the catalyst for transforming their social, economic and political sphere into a participatory, pro-people system that is led by accountable, transparent, dedicated and honest leadership at every walk of life.
WDO is a non-government and non-profit organization that strives for a peaceful society with gender equality human rights and access to development. It envisages socio-political and economic empowerment of marginalized groups particularly women, peasants and minorities. It was established by a group of female social activists of Mardan in 1995 and is registered under Society Act XXI of 1860 and Social Welfare Department.
WDO is district based grassroots level organization whose commitment revolves around concerted civic action through social movement to bring about changes for the uplift of target communities. With a great deal of passion and commitment it has been able to established vocational centers for women. Special focus was given to those who were in no position to fight for their rights focusing on helping them find ways to generate income. WDO initially with limited resources was able to extend its work in the year 2000 with the financial support of the South Asia Partnership – Pakistan. WDO’s has transformed its economic development program into establishment of increased number of skill training, literacy and vocational centers in the surrounding villages of Mardan.
During two-and-half decades of work with women, WDO has focused on their socio-economic and political empowerment and issues of combating violence against women and children. WDO is also engaged in other development avenues, such as, citizen empowerment program, home based workers network, political education program to motivate women to contest local elections, Democratic Education Program, to promote democratic values and provide guidance and encourage the candidates for peasant, workers and minorities’ seats.
Vision
“WDO envisions a progressive society where fundamental
Human rights are equally ensured through cooperative and participatory Approach”
Our Mission
“To become true voice of the marginalized groups in transforming their peaceful, socially and politically coherent society with the objective to transform their equal participation of all the segments of every walk of life for their empowerment and access to sustainable development”
Our Values
• Mutual respect, recognizing and the innate dignity to the marginalized groups.
• Equity and Justice, to ensure that everyone – irrespective of sex, age, race, color, class and religion has equal opportunity for their basic human rights.
• Strengthening marginalized groups – especially women by forming effective independent organizational structure and Network.
Means of Action
• Awareness Building & Mass Sensitization.
• Capacity Building and Advocacy to mobilize the communities.
• Interactive and Participatory approaches for development needs.
• Enabling environment for socio-economic development of home based women workers, entrepreneurs and peasant workers.
Objectives
• Raising awareness about gender equity and fundamental rights of the people especially women and children.
• To promote & enhance knowledgebase of the community about self reliant, participatory and sustainable development in areas of education, their socio-political condition and economic status.
• Enabling environment for the target stakeholders, to understand social, political and economic challenges both domestic/national and international.
• Maximizing outreach program for skill development and awareness building programs for the women to improve their socio-economic and Political status.
• Strengthening female, peasant workers groups by forming their independent organizational structure and Networks.
WDO Uniqueness and Proficiency
• Only grassroots level organization fully functional in almost 68% of villages in target UC’s of Mardan.
• It has over 56 volunteer Master trainers and 10 regular Lead Mentors trained in human rights, gender mainstreaming, capacity building, interactive theater, political empowerment and peace building and conflict transformation.
• WDO has a dedicated female documentary production unit, duly supported by technical support staff and equipments.
• WDO has the distinction of covering various development issues through its interactive capacity building and mass sensitization approaches.
• Based on untiring humanitarian efforts WDO President Ms. Nusrat Ara, was selected as Noble Peace Women among 1000 peace women across the globe.
Linkages and Geographical presence
WDO is grassroots level National Based Non-governmental organization with its strong presence in NWFP’s Rural and Urban settings at various districts With its head office in district Mardan
WDO has also established its Regional Focal Points in Peshawar, SWAT, Dir, Haripur, Lahore, Sialkot, Haiderabad and Islamabad.
It is also affiliated with various National and international Donor agencies, research and academic institutions.
It has developed its strong linkages – National –wider inter-provincial networking with other partners, i.e.
• SAP-Pk ( Projects )
• Action Aid ( Projects )
• SPO ( Projects )
• DCHD ( Projects )
• IRC (Theatre & Documentary production )
• International Foundation For Election System – IFES (CEP Program )
• Church World Service – CWS ( Trainings )
• Sangi Foundation – Interactive Theatre Performances
• Khwendo Kor (K.K) Interactive Theatre Performances
• NCHD ( Support to Establish Non-Formal Schools & ORS Campaign )
• SSEWA-Pak ( Relief Package for IDPs of Swat & Buner funded by
• Tearfund-UK)
• Omar Asghar Development Foundation ( Package for Women IDPs )
Projects & Interventions
1. Awareness Building & Mobilization
• Community Awareness Program – CAP: (March 1999- May 2001)
Based on Human Rights Education, the program was started in collaboration with DCHD (Democratic Commission for Human Development) in seven different communities to enhance awareness about fundamental and constitutional rights.
• Supporting Democratic Electoral Process – SDEP
(Sept 1999-March 2000)
SDEP was a short-term activity to create awareness about Electoral Process, Right to Vote and Political Rights of citizens. It was duly supported by SAP-Pk.
• Awareness Building and Mobilization Project – ABM Project
(Jan 2000- December 2001)
Pioneering & comprehensive Awareness Building and Mobilization program for the Rural Women with four different components focusing on five different communities. The program was focused on socio-economic and political uplift of women. Under this project awareness campaign was launched, started with community meetings, workshops, seminars and open forums, where the local and National issues were highlighted as well as issues related to women and negative customs were discussed.
Under this program, Skill Training Centers were established for economic uplift of the women. These centers are providing various skills such as cutting, sewing hand and machine embroidery, knitting, macramé, wall hangings and decoration pieces etc. Provision of legal aid to the women was also part of this project
2. Political Empowerment
a. Democracy & Human Rights Program (June 2002- February 2003)
With the objective to create awareness about political rights, democratic values, importance of vote and its usage, this program was based on concerted seminar and forum series which were held for the public debate and dialogues. The target participants and stakeholders in this program were representatives of political parties and candidates contesting elections. After the election, the elected members were again invited in open forums to discuss their views and programs.
b. Political School – Under Strengthening Democratic Governance in Pakistan Program (SDGP)
In collaboration with
SAP- PK a political school was established to engage and maximize political participation of Youth, Peasant workers and women of district Mardan. The underlying objective of this ongoing program is to convert their efforts into collaborative mainstream political action program.
c. Women’s Political Right to Vote (Action – Aid 2008)
This program was started in two selected union councils with collaboration of Action – Aid Pakistan to highlight the political right of women. It was short term program based on advocacy campaign and capacity building of UC councilors. Main themes covered in this project were, women democratic rights to vote, encouraging their participation in political process.
3. Capacity Building & Mass Sensitization Through Interactive Theatre
• WDO Interactive Theater Resource Center
WDO is the only organization in district Mardan which has team of highly trained staff, who are expert in interactive theater art and street theater understanding. It has established the Interactive resource center in district Mardan with the financial support from Action- Aid Pakistan. The objective of this center is to train the local and provincial NGO’s / CBO’s to present different local, national issues by using interactive techniques. This component intensively helped to create awareness among the target community and brought change in the attitude of society, regarding peasants and particularly mind-set of men towards women rights.
• Documentary Production Unit
WDO is the only organization working at district level in local and rural areas of Mardan and adjacent districts on documentary production. Documentary production unit has covered multiple social, political and right based issues, especially focusing on women. This program has been implemented with collaboration and technical support of Interactive Resource Center (IRC).
4. SDGP-Program (2006 ongoing)
This program is started with collaboration and financial support of SAP-Pk. It is focusing on Democracy and Good Governance in the target 6 union councils of Mardan covering both male and female peasant workers and community members. It has four major components;.
a. Group formation and professional training of the Peasant workers.
b. Making bridges and Linkages between PWGs, GLAs, ERs, and CSOs.
c. Networking of the PWGs at District and Provincial level.
d. Capacity Building of PWGs to enable them for Political Participation in democratic & decision making process.
Ultimate aim of the project is to transform these groups into self reliant CBO’s / CCBs. beside these four major components; professional trainings for local government representatives were also organized.
5. Citizen Empowerment Program
WDO in collaboration with International Foundation for Election System – IFES has also completed this project in two union councils of district Mardan. The program was based on the capacity building and awareness rising about the local government system. The target community (communities and elected representatives) were trained and sensitized on collective action for development through C.C.Bs.
6. Economic Empowerment
• WDO Vocational Centers
WDO has the distinction in educating the marginalized communities, especially women on skill development techniques. It is providing its continuous support to the vocational centers in the rural and urban areas of district Mardan. During 2003-2004 with the financial support of SPO, women development organization has upgraded these centers. These centers were equipped with advance equipments and staff was also trained on advance skill which helped them to improve their socio-economic status as well as enhanced their knowledge about the market trends.
7. ORS campaign / Health
The Campaign was launched in Three UCs with the collaboration of NCHD. It was a short term activity that impartial significant consciousness among the illiterate masses about the important of ORS for the health and care of their infants.
8. PACFREL Program
WDO being partner in smooth electoral process and democratic rights initiatives in Pakistan has establish close coordination with partner agencies and other humanitarian organizations. In this regard, in collaboration with PACFREL it has organized pre-post and Election Day activities in General Election 2008. A team of 20 Observers (10 male & 10 Female) was engaged to observe the election process in the District Mardan.
9. Networking
i. Home based women workers.
WDO is also working with Home Based Women Workers, who have different skills like, sewing, hand and machine embroidery, knitting, macramé, wall hangings and other decoration pieces. WDO is committed to improve their quality of work by focusing on quality management, designing and color scheme. WDO has developed its district based network of these workers where they can share their experiences and problems. This network is likely to extend to other districts in the province as well. WDO has established its skill training center where variety of decoration pieces, wall hangings & traditional dress are being produced. These products are further introduced to the local market.
ii. Peasant Workers Network at District Level.
Under this program WDO has been able to develop strong and active Peasant Workers Network at District Mardan.
iii. Female Peasant Workers Network
On similar lines Separate Female Peasant Workers Network is also established.
10. Relief and Rehabilitation
WDO is also engaged in relief and rehabilitation activities since its inception. Its relief unit started its formal work in August 2005 during Flood in Mardan. The relief and rehabilitation services were focused on flood affected Women & Children. WDO Relief Unit is working with IDPs of Swat & Buner with collaboration of SSEWA-Pak, under Food Provision Program from May 2009 onwards. This food distribution project was aimed at provision of Food Packages to 100 IDP families on monthly basis. This project was funded by Tearfund-UK.
In partnership with SAP-PK NFIs for Women IDPs & Newly Born Babies, were distributed among 499 families in district Mardan. WDO also distributed hygiene kits among IDP women with the support provided by Omar Asghar Development Foundation.
11. Advocacy
Though Advocacy is broader term, but WDO has focused its efforts to three major areas in different projects, i.e.
• Fundamental Right-based advocacy.
• Discriminatory Customs and Practices against the Women.
• Socio-economic / Political uplift of the peasants and youth.
12. Legal Aid and Guidance
WDO has also ensured its legal aid and advocacy guidance to marginalized groups through its various interventions. Initiatives taken but not limited to;
• Legal Aid and guidance for women in prison
• WDO’s distinctive legal outreach program is one of its main strength.
• WDO, initiated legal aid and advocacy campaign for the women cell of District Jail Mardan and provided them legal guidance on various issues.
As a result of these interventions WDO has been able to develop a team of highly skilled and professional lawyers group at district level. This group is further linked with other active advocacy groups at inter-district level.
13. Youth Groups for Peace and development
WDO has also one of very active and energetic pool of youth volunteers, whose participation is ensured in its different interventions and activities. WDO believes in engaging youth and encouraging them to play their proactive role in human development. WDO District level youth group is actively participating in;
• Mass sensitization and mobilization
• Facilitation and monitoring in elections
• Facilitation in organizing district level seminars, workshops & forums
• Conducting Research and Surveys.
• Disseminating peace and tolerance message by adopting interactive approaches.
• Facilitating partner NGO’s/ CBOs/ CCBs and Government line departments in their various need based interventions.
14. Resources/ Expertise:
• WDO has well established linkages with rural and urban population of district Mardan, supported by over 12 office staff, 68 volunteers, in 55 villages of selected union councils
• Compiled various human development reports including district profile,
• Staff is well trained in developing awareness building material
• WDO Documentary production unit has compiled more than 4 documentaries on disaster mitigation, elections, gender etc.
• WDO has to its credit various Awards, titles, coverage, patronage, including nomination of noble peace women in the year 2006.
W omen Development Organization ( WDO )
Head Office: NearPublic Health Engineering Office Eid Gaha Road
Mardan, Pakistan-54000
L.FRANCIS (Chairman)
We are very much inspired with your idea.We will make a submission.Our women and girls continue to be abused due to the non women friendly cultural practices,gender imbalance HIV/AIDS and poverty.Partnership would help our women and girls.
Can a man helping women also apply for this grant?
Justin,”CREATIVE SOCIAL WELFARE SOCIETY” Active AIDS Support Organization (CSWS),AndraPradesh INDIA.