Table of Contents
Two Indias, one future. India must overcome major challenges to achieve a great future. Women will be the change agents for the transformation that must occur.
A lifetime of subjugation. Every phase of a woman’s life is shaped by malnutrition, the denial of selfhood and lack of voice in the decisions that affect her life.
The cycle of malnutrition: determining factor for India’s future. India’s rates of childhood malnutrition are among the highest in the world because the subjugation of women in India is among the most severe.
Women — India’s invisible producers: unrecognised, unvalued, unsupported. In addition to her many household responsibilities, the Indian woman is a key producer of food and contributor to family income. Her contributions go unrecognised and supported.
Violence and the threat of violence to women are endemic in India, and hold the social and economic subjugation of women in place.
Awakening to a new possibility. Sparked by an historic process of global activism and conferences, humanity is now recognising that women’s full equality and participation are pre-conditions to human progress.
Panchayati raj: local democracy in action. The 73rd amendment to India’s constitution mandates that responsibility, resources and decision-making authority be placed in the hands of elected local councils known as panchayats. Its most revolutionary provision — one-third of panchayat members must be women.
Women as change agents. Despite enormous obstacles and public cynicism, women are beginning to play an effective role in panchayats, bringing human development to the forefront.
Agenda for action. Priority actions must be taken with government, the media, civil society, panchayat members themselves, and women members in particular, to enable local democracy and women’s leadership to succeed.
The Panchayati Raj Campaign. The Hunger Project is committing itself to ignite and sustain a co-ordinated, strategic campaign of action for women’s leadership and the success of panchayati raj, local, democratic government rule.
The Hunger Project-India, active in more than 1,200 villages in 11 states, has made the empowerment of women in panchayat raj its highest priority.
The Hunger Project around the world is a global movement that combines cutting-edge strategy, deep human principles and an unyielding commitment to the end of hunger.