Zindagi Fellowship Jharkhand Workshops
The Zindagi Fellowship team achieved a big milestone in 2024 with their first offline workshops in Jharkhand. They took 5 one-day workshops for women on the primary themes of Gender, Patriarchy, Female Health, and Financial Literacy. Workshops and group discussions among community members play a crucial role in building grassroots movements organically. They also promote a deeper understanding of various topics, especially complex ones revolving around gender, patriarchy, and financial literacy, enabling participants to articulate issues and explore solutions collaboratively. This was evident in the workshops organized as part of the Zindagi Fellowship Program in Jharkhand, which proved highly impactful.
Three Jharkhand districts—Gumla, Kuju, and Madhupur—were chosen for their unique socio-economic mix of tribal, rural, and industrial populations. These areas are rich in natural resources and have a considerable tribal demographic, making them prime targets for industrial development. This context was taken into consideration to design the workshop focusing on community-specific needs.
The workshops were held on September 24, 2024, in Gumla, September 27 and 28 in Kuju, and September 29 and 30 in Madhupur. In total, around 189 participants from these districts attended, which is a remarkable achievement in many ways.
The Project Mukti team conducted the workshop, with Srijan Foundation and Samvad as our partner organizations. Deepak Rajak, an individual community organizer, helped us connect with participants in Gumla.
Gender and Patriarchy Workshops
The workshops on Gender and Patriarchy encouraged the participating women to think, ask questions, and share their perspectives. In Gumla, facilitators observed that participants possessed some knowledge about gender and patriarchy, primarily drawn from personal experiences of inequality. Facilitators built on this foundation by introducing terminologies to help participants articulate and understand that the discrimination they faced stemmed from the patriarchal system they lived in. While most participants were open to understanding patriarchy, explaining gender proved more challenging. Many struggled to grasp the concept of gender as a construct distinct from societal norms and personal identity, for example, gender-neutral clothing.
In Kuju, the facilitators adapted their planned content by screening a short film titled “Juice” on YouTube. The film acted as a mirror for the participants, deeply resonating with them and sparking open and honest dialogue. Most participants were highly active and engaged throughout the session, expressing that the film validated their feelings and helped them recognize and navigate the rigid traditional gender norms. However, some participants misinterpreted the film, focusing on the contrast it highlighted between the behaviors of men and women. Younger participants, in particular, expressed their frustrations with the persistent patriarchal system, actively venting their discontent and contributing to meaningful discussions.
Female Health Workshop in Madhupur
In Madhupur, the session tackled female health, examining its intersection with gendered expectations. Discussions revealed that participants often associated women’s health with caregiving and reproduction, while men’s health was linked to productivity. This perspective sparked conversations about the broader dimensions of female health, including mental health, hygiene, and nutrition. Activities like mapping life milestones and envisioning an ideal world free of social restrictions encouraged participants to reimagine gender roles and their impact on health and well-being.
Financial Literacy Workshops
Financial planning and household budgeting were introduced through group activities. Participants in Kuju demonstrated a solid grasp of financial terms, often investing savings in government schemes. However, challenges arose due to limited time for explaining complex processes and the diverse needs of participants. Many showed interest in long-term investment options like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana but found the procedures daunting, highlighting the need for more comprehensive financial literacy sessions. In Madhupur, participants had limited interaction with financial institutions, and awareness of investment options was minimal. Most earned less than ₹10,000 per month, restricting their ability to save or invest. Despite these constraints, younger women were particularly enthusiastic about learning investment strategies. The workshops revealed the importance of tailoring financial literacy programs to participants’ socio-economic realities, with a focus on foundational knowledge and accessible guidance.
Learnings
Managing diverse participant groups in settings with limited infrastructure posed significant challenges. For instance, in Gumla, the Anganwadi center lacked adequate seating, electricity, and sound systems, making it difficult to maintain engagement. Despite these constraints, facilitators observed active involvement from some participants, while others struggled due to distractions and childcare responsibilities.
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) faced similar challenges, with larger-than-expected participation and varied interest levels. In Kuju, women with small businesses were keen on expanding their ventures, while in Gumla, most participants lacked business experience and attended out of curiosity. Surprisingly, younger participants preferred in-person skill development classes, while older ones leaned towards online options. These observations highlighted the need for flexible fellowship structures catering to regional and demographic variations.
One of the workshop’s objectives was identifying participants for the Zindagi Fellowship Program. Many young women were willing to dedicate 2-3 hours daily to further classes. In Kuju, around 50% were eligible, though most had early-stage business ideas rather than concrete plans. Students expressed interest in computer and English courses, while older participants preferred skill development in stitching and fashion. In Madhupur, fewer participants met the eligibility criteria, but there was strong interest in computer and English courses, particularly among younger women. The program’s design appeared more suited to semi-urban participants, while remote rural areas would benefit from tailored, in-person initiatives. Including computer and English courses in future fellowship offerings could address these disparities and attract a broader range of participants.
Based on the workshop’s outcomes, facilitators suggested several improvements:
Residential Workshops: Multi-day residential workshops could foster deeper connections and more meaningful interactions, overcoming the limitations of single-day sessions.
Partnerships with Local NGOs: Collaborating with established local NGOs can enhance participant engagement, provide logistical support, and improve access to facilities.
Volunteer Training and Support: Clear communication with volunteers and provision of per diems can ensure better logistical and participant management.
Dedicated Time for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Allocating specific time slots for FGDs, rather than scheduling them after long workshops, would improve participation and focus.
Enhanced Workshop Design: Introducing structured introductions and circular seating arrangements can create a relaxed, inclusive environment conducive to open dialogue.
The Zindagi Fellowship Program’s workshops were a testament to the transformative potential of community engagement. By addressing complex issues like gender and financial literacy, the program empowered participants to challenge patriarchal norms and envision new possibilities for their lives. The initiative’s ability to adapt to the diverse needs of participants, despite logistical challenges, highlighted its commitment to meaningful change. The workshops were not just events but milestones in the journey towards gender equity and community empowerment. They demonstrated how grassroots movements can be nurtured through thoughtful planning, skilled facilitation, and a focus on inclusivity.
