Current Projects - India

Promotion of Dalit Women’s Empowerment Through Alternative
Health Care Systems

Partner:
SAHANIVASA

Location:
30 Villages in Kambamvari Palli, Chittoor District, India

Purposes:

• Promote solidarity and knowledge that socioeconomic change is within not only people’s ability but within their human rights
• Improve the health and nutrition of Dalit and Adivasi women within the reach of the project; and
• Increase the knowledge of Dalit and Adivasi women of their legal rights and promote their right to benefit from government services.

Goal:
Dalit and Adivasi (the most marginalized castes) women empower themselves through collective discussion and education sessions. Dalit and Adivasi women control their own health through the application of nutrition and health knowledge.

Highlights to Date:

• Formation of women’s associations through village meetings
• Formation of committees to collectively bring potential solutions to women’s common concerns before local government
• Training of women in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and establishment of clinics
• Cultural performances to encourage community discussion and reflection on issues that affect Dalit and Adivasi women in the region such as HIV/AIDS and health practices

Below is a short film about GEMS of Hope's work in India. Thanks to your donations and generous support from the Canadian Auto-Workers' Social Justice Fund we have been able to fund the hiring of all project staff and the purchase of all necessary materials for the project.