Fourth 'Gender Samvaad': Empowering women through dialogue and action

New Delhi [India], September 23 (ANI): The fourth 'Gender Samvaad', a collaborative initiative by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development and the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE), took place on Friday, uniting thousands of participants in a virtual event.
This unique platform seeks to raise awareness about DAY-NRLM's gender-focused initiatives across India, with a specific focus on amplifying the voices of states and self-help group (SHG) members, read the Ministry of Rural Development press release.

Over 8000 participants, including senior officials from the Ministry of Rural Development, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Government of Bihar, state government officials, practitioners, gender experts, academics, civil society representatives, and SHG members, came together to discuss and address crucial issues concerning gender, read the press release.
In his keynote address, Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, expressed concerns about gender-based violence statistics and highlighted the role of community-based institutions in addressing this issue.
He stressed the importance of inter-ministerial convergence, particularly with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Education, to raise awareness and sensitize the public about gender-based violence, read the release.
Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), shed light on the extensive efforts DAY-NRLM has made to empower women and establish model institutions that address women's concerns in rural areas. These efforts have been carried out primarily through the Gender Resource Centre platform.

Community resource persons (CRP) from various states, including Jharkhand, Kerala, and Odisha, were invited to share their experiences and strategies for addressing gender-based violence.
Rajani Dandasena from Odisha discussed the Prerna Kendra (Gender Resource Centres) at the Gram Panchayat level, which have played a crucial role in establishing strong linkages with other departments and addressing cases of violence, read the press release.
These efforts have led to a significant increase in awareness about gender-based violence and public action on related issues.
Mahua Roy Chaudhary from Jeevika, Government of Bihar, emphasized the importance of gender training, pedagogical approaches, and the use of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials in creating gender-responsive institutions, especially Didi Adhikar Kendras, read the press release.
These institutions have played a pivotal role in addressing violence rooted in patriarchy and social norms, along with promoting the political empowerment of women.
A panel discussion involving the Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, a gender expert, and a women's rights lawyer emphasized the significance of state rural livelihood missions (SRLMs) and the opportunities they offer, such as legal remedies through fast-track courts, gender training at various levels, and inter-ministerial convergence, read the release.
The panel also discussed innovative financing for sustainability, the need for safe spaces like Shakti Sadan and short-stay homes, strengthened data-driven governance, and enhanced women's economic agency.
The Samvaad 2023 concluded with a collective call to address core women's issues through preventive measures, convergence, and innovative local problem-solving approaches, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue and action in empowering women across India. (ANI)