The initiative hopes to create a shared platform to spotlight gender interventions across the subcontinent with a focus on listening to voices from the states and of Self Help Group members

'Gender Samvaad' was launched on the 16th of April, 2021 in a joint initiative by the Ministry of Rural Development’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and the Initiative for What Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy (IWWAGE) by LEAD.

The Gender Samvaad webpage, which will be hosted by IWWAGE, will include case studies and good practices to build advocacy focussing on gender issues across State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLMs) and the NRLM. A panel discussion with gender and livelihoods experts to emphasize the importance of women’s collectives in building sustainable livelihoods.

The event saw the release of a compendium of case studies, documenting good practices and stories of resilience and change demonstrated by SHG women was launched at the event by the Secretary. The event also included a short film that was launched by the Joint Secretary, NRLM, Nita Kejrewal who also dwelt on DAY-NRLM’s role in empowering women and creating model platforms to address women’s challenges. A few persons from Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Kerala also had the opportunity to share their life stories and the impact of DAY-NRLM on their livelihoods and on the SHG women on the topic of inequalities and injustice.

The event falls under the Azadi Amrut Mahotsav hat was launched by the Prime Minister to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence and share the glorious traditions and progress made in several areas. 

Speaking at the event, Nagendra Nath Sinha, the Secretary for the Ministry of Rural Development said, 

“In 2022, India would be celebrating its 75th year of independence. To celebrate this milestone, the government has organized an Azaadi ka Amrut Mahotsav. The celebration calls for merging the best of traditions with an Atmanirbhar Bharat. The self-help group movement is one such tradition.”

According to Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development,’

“NRLM has empowered women both economically and socially. Strong social protection systems can reduce the vulnerabilities and the multidimensional nature of poverty that affect women and men differently. NRLM aims to address gender inequality by strengthening women’s institutions.”

Soumya Kapoor Mehta, Head, IWWAGE at LEAD explained-

“Gender Samvaad, a bi-monthly webinar, will provide states with opportunities to exchange knowledge on how to improve women’s agency, share international experiences of successful gender interventions, unpack implementation barriers in gender mainstreaming, as well as create a ‘gender knowledge repository’ with resources to design and implement gender interventions across the country.”

The Deendayal Antodya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission is a flagship scheme implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development to address multi-dimensional poverty through building strong institutions for the poor.

Initiative for What Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy (IWWAGE) aims to build on existing research and generate new evidence to inform and facilitate the agenda of women’s economic empowerment. IWWAGE is an initiative of LEAD, an action-oriented research centre of IFMR Society.