Jatan recognizes the need to improve the health and status of women and adolescent girls. We work with Panchayats, political leaders, health service providers, the media as well as community members in order to create awareness on health and rights of women. Jatan has formed various special groups of pregnant women for better provisioning of ante and post-natal care. We’ve also had the privilege of being responsible for carrying out the capacity building of ASHA workers. Changing the perception of institutional delivery and improving the access of public health services have been two major achievements in this effort.
Jatan is a part of “SUMA” network (White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood) in Rajasthan that is working on maternal health issues and entitlements. The declining female population, due to preference of sons, is a major development concern in Rajasmand. Jatan has had an active presence in the community that is fighting against female feticide and infanticide. Our organization has participated in state level workshops on female feticide and undertaken regular campaigns in the area to increase gender sensitivity among key stakeholders in the area.
Jatan also facilitates the formation of women groups in various villages. The women groups then organize themselves into various self-help groups and after trainings that have been provided by Jatan, they have successfully been running cottage industries. In addition, Jatan provides programs for the rehabilitation and integration of widows and separated women segregated in their respective villages. Jatan, in partnership with Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, organizes trainings on vocational skills and then employment of marginalized women.
Empowering Women Representatives in Local Government
In 2010, Jatan reestablished its collaboration with The Hunger Project—India, working to strengthen the female leadership in 29 Gram Panchayats of the Relmagra Block of the Rajsamand District. Through this partnership, Jatan works to mobilize people for self-reliant action, empower women as key change agents and engage with local government. Jatan facilitates Women’s Leadership Workshops, with respective preparation and follow-up meetings, to enhance the skills of the women leaders. Jatan also works to improve the system of village-level Gram Sabha meetings, by engaging and informing women on the processes and functions of their local government and elections.
Campaign Against Declining Sex Ratio in Rajsamand District
This Projects intends to address the issue of declining sex ratio and eliminate the illegal practice of Female feticide through an integrated approach. It aims to understand the causes and consequences of female feticide and the effect of PNPNDT Act and government incentive schemes through action research. It works to promote and advance the effective implementation of existing legislation supporting the girl child. While awareness-genration and action research are the key foci, creating networks and linkages are also an important component. The project is implement in the Rajsamand and Railmagra blocks, covering 150 villages. Key stakeholder include village communities youth groups Panchayati Raj iIstitutionsmembers government functionaries medical professionals and health institutions.
