Entitlement Realization of Rural Dalit Women, Bihar - mashal

Entitlement Realization of Rural Dalit Women Funded by

German Doctors Jan 2015 – Dec 2018

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Contents Page

1) Introduction of the Implementing Agency 4

2) Background Information of the project 4

3) Rationale of the Project 5

4) Project Location 5-6

5) The overall Goal of the Project 6

6) Project Objectives 6

7) Project Outcomes 6

8) Indicators of Project Outcomes 6-8

9) Activities based on the Objectives: 8

Objective 1: Formation of Federations and Strengthening of lobbying activities 8

of women individually, as group, as federation in order to get better access

to Government schemes/programmes

Activities:

a) Mobilization and Orientation Seminar to CBO leaders at Units 8-9

b) Formation of Clusters at Panchayat level 9-10

c) Formation of Federation at Block level 10-11

d) Meetings of CBOs, Cluster and Federation 12-14

e) 5 days of Capacity Building Training to the Federation Leaders 14-15

f) Three days Training for CBOs at Unit Level on available schemes/ 15-16

programmes of the State and the Central Government

g) Awareness campaign on National Rural Health Mission, Mahatma 16-17

Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, State Rural Livelihood

Mission-Jeevika

h) Three days training on Federation Management for the Governing Body 17

members and the implementation team

i) Inter-face Meeting of CBO Leaders with the Service Providers 18-26

j) Linkage with the Government Schemes 26-27

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Objective 2: Strengthening of women fighting against sexual abuse and violence 28

Activities:

a) Awareness Campaigns in the target villages on Right to Education for 28-29

enrolment and retention of girls in the schools and collecting and

documenting the data of new enrolment and retention

b) Three days training on gender sensitization for the CBO leaders at units 29-30

c) One day campaign in the villages on violence against women and girls 30-31

d) Three-days training on Legal awareness for Federation 32

Governing Body members and the Project Personnel at the centre

e) Meeting and Focus group discussions with CBOs, Clusters and 33-34

Federations to take-up the issues of violence and abuse on women and girls

Objective 3: Strengthening of women for stronger participation at local 34

level politics (Gram Panchayat)

Activities:

a) Mobilization campaign in the villages Prior to the Gram Sabhas 34-36

by CBO members

b) Strengthening the CBO women in Panchayati Raj Election 36-38

c) Ensuring 90% participation of the CBOs members in the Gram 39-41

Sabha in their respective Gram Panchayats

d) One day campaign on Good local self Governance in the village 41-42

e) Three-day training on Good Governance for the elected PRI 42-44

Representatives at the centre

10) Additional Value added Activities: 44

a) Observances and Celebrations

a) Celebration of the International Women's Day on 8th

March 44-46

b) Celebration of Girl Child Day on 11th

October 46-47

c) Celebration of Child Rights Day on 20th

November 47-48

d) Celebration of Human Rights Day on 10th

December 48-49

b) Quarterly tola meetings with specific agenda 50

c) Formation of Kishori Manch (Adolescent Girls'Groups) in the villages 51

and monthly meeting of the groups with specific agenda

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11) Project Management 51

A. Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Documentation 52

a) Orientation Programme for the Project Personnel 52-53

b) Daily monitoring of the Field Activities 53

c) Weekly, Monthly planning, evaluation and reporting at the unit level 53-54

d) Quarterly field visit by the Centre Coordinator 54

e) Half yearly Progress Report Presentation cum Evaluation 54-55

f) Annual Assessment 55

g) Additional visit by the Centre Co-ordinator to attend some of the 55

planned activities and strengthening of federation in all the units

h) Visit of the finance manger 55-56

i) Visit of Mr. Hans from funding Agency 56

j) Visit of the Project Director to attend some of planned 56-57

activities carried out by the units

k) Annual monitoring by the Mashal team 57

l) Documentation of the project 57-58

B. Cooperation, Collaboration and Net-working 58

12) Challenges faced while implementing the project activities 58-59

13) Key Learning 59-60

14) Conclusion 60-61

15) Annexure 61-160

1. Data of the Beneficiaries of Government schemes 61-67

2. Case Studies and Success Events 68-143

3. Details of elected CBO women in 2016 PRI Election 144-146

4. Participation of CBO women in Gram Sabha from 2015 to 2018 147

5. Project Implementation Area 148-154

6. Financial Statement 155-156

16) Photo Section

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Narrative Report

Entitlement Realization of Rural Dalit Women

1) Introduction of the Implementing Agency

Mashal is a non-profit organization, committed to accompany and to enable the marginalized

communities to affirm and uphold their rights and dignity. Mashal has set a goal of awareness

building, education and empowerment of women and adolescent girls, especially among the most

underprivileged groups of the Indian Caste System, through community based organization of

women and girls and experience-based participatory mode of trainings, workshops, and exposure

programs towards developing confidence, self-worth, and leadership to enable them to become

change agents for building human communities based on the values of Justice, Peace and Integrity

of Creation.

2) Background Information of the Project:

India is famous in the world for its rich cultural diversity. India has 1/6th

of the world's population

and 1/3rd

of the world's poor, Bihar is the third most populous state of India with a total population

of 104,099,452 (54,278,157 male and 49,821,295 female) and it is in the top five poorest states of

India. Nearly 89% of Bihar's population lives in rural areas and most of the people are poorest of

the poor and deprived because they belong to SC and ST. 16 % of the population belongs to SC

communities and 8.2% communities belongs to ST communities in India according to the Census

2011, and there are 8% SC living in Bihar, known as Dalit. Bihar has several law and order

problems such as extremist groups' interferences, occasional caste and communal violence, human

rights violations and corruption. Amidst this, a culture of domination, marginalization and

exclusion makes the rural poor victims of injustice and ignorance. Women are the most vulnerable

victims of injustice. Gender discrimination leading to gender violence like female foeticide,

infanticide, child marriage, Dowry death, Domestic violence, Rape, Maltreatments make the life of

women more miserable and less humane. The patriarchal values keep away the women from the

decision-making processes in the family and in the society; as a result, there is subordination and

inadequate participation of women at all levels in the social affairs. In the history of India, Dalits

were already excluded and treated as a subordinate caste in the society; among them again women

are discriminated on the basis of class and gender. The caste system assigns individuals a certain

hierarchical status according to Hindu beliefs. Traditionally there are four principal castes (divided

into thousands of sub-categories) and a fifth category of people who fall outside of the caste

system- the Dalits. Dalits in Indian society have historically suffered the most caste-based social

exclusion from civil, cultural, economic and political rights. The main reason for this is that most

of the population of Dalit is illiterate and uneducated. Several schemes are implemented for their

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social, economic and educational development but they are not able to access the benefits of the

schemes because they are not aware and thus don't know how to get the benefits, because of

which, most of the SC /ST people are exploited by the other castes. Several schemes are only in

government papers and do not reach the grass root. Still most of the Dalit population do not have

shelters, jobs, good facilities of quality education, no nutritious food for children, no good health

facilities in the villages. Mashal felt the plight of the marginalized communities and started to

work on enhancing their lives through various projects and programmes. In collaboration with the

German Doctors, Mashal initiated the project ‘Entitlement Realization for Rural Dalit Women’

for strengthening them socially, politically and economically to access their entitlement. From

2015 January to 2018 December Mashal worked with 5000 women and their families in 225

villages of 5 Districts of Bihar with a 40 member dedicated team.

3) The Rationale of the Project

Over the years Mashal had been working with the rural dalit communities of Bihar especially with

women and girls. It was able to mobilize about10, 000 women into 900 SHGs and has instilled the

basic concept and dynamics of SHG. Through various projects and interventions there had been

slight improvement in the socio-economic living conditions of the people and the social status of

women too. The health and educational scenario also had shown snail pace progress as a result of

the awareness creation programmes in this sphere. Years ago our women were just limited to their

home and village and dependent on the men folk for security be it physical, social, emotional or

intellectual. The empowerment trainings that were given had enabled women to coming out of

their homes; organize themselves and hearth to go to Blocks, banks and training centers. But they

were not able to give leadership in development activities in their villages and challenge the

atrocities against them. There was a great need for further capacitating and organizing them to

synergize their leadership qualities to realize their entitlements. Thus this project was a response to

the felt need of women to move forward as a force to attain development, justice and equality

through a rights based approach by women and for women.

4) Programme Location

The project was implemented in 225 villages/hamlets of five districts of Bihar, namely Sheikhpura,

Munger, East Chamaparan, Rohtas and Bhojpur, where Mashal's seven socio-health action centres

are working. The detailed information regarding the areas where this project will be implemented

is given below.

1. Sheikhpura District: It is about 130 km from Patna. The project was implemented in 30

villages/hamlets of 5 Panchayats of Shekhpura Block by Mahila Shikhsan Kendra

2. Munger District: It is about 200 km from Patna. The project was implemented in 20

villages/hamlets of 4 Panchayats of Darare Block by Integrated Community Empowerment Centre.

3. Rohtas District: It is about 140 km from Patna. The project was implemented in 40

villages/hamlets of 8 Panchayats of Nokha block by Navjeevan Development Centre and 40

villages/harmlets of 8 Panchayats of Chenari Block by Jeevan Mashal Samiti.

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4. East Champaran: It is about 150 km from Patna, in northern Bihar, across the river Ganges.

The project was implemented in 30 villages/hamlets of 5 panchayats of Pagardpur by Pragati Rural

Development and 25 villages/hamlets of 5 Panchayats of Raxaul Block by Cheshta.

5. Bhojpur: It is about 50 km from Patna. The project was implemented in 40 villages/ hamlets of

5 Panchayats of Charpokhari Block by Piro Community Development Centre.

5) The overall Goal of the Project:

Promoting women leadership to realize their dignity and rights by capacitating 5000 women of 500

Community Based Organizations leading towards the realization of MDG3: Promote Gender

Equality and Empower Women (The MDG is replaced into Sustainable Development Goal and

under this Gender equality is mentioned as the 5th

Goal.)

6) Project Objectives

1. Formation of Federations and Strengthening of lobbying activities of women

individually, as group, as Federation in order to get better access to government

programmes

2. Strengthening of women fighting against sexual abuse and violence

3. Strengthening of women for stronger participation at local level politics (Gram

Panchayat)

7) Project Outcomes

1. 7 Well functioning federations of 500 women CBOs dealing with their entitlement issues

2. 5000 women have gained practical knowledge and information and have access to the

benefits of various government schemes

3. 5000 women have increased awareness on the importance of Panchayati Raj Institutions

4. 5000 women individually and collectively stand against various forms of gender based

violence and abuses

8) Indicators of Project Outcomes

1. Every group of the overall 500 groups is an active member of a federation at the block

level, which is active concerning “entitlement realization” especially vis-a-vis the office of

the BDO

2. At least 4125 women (out of the 5000 women) benefit from the government

programme/schemes

3. Women/women groups have at least 100 documented cases protested against “violence and

abuse perpetrated on women”

4. 90 percent of the 5000 women participate regularly at Gram Sabhas

5. In the course of the Panchayat elections in Bihar in 2016 at least one member is elected

from each of the overall 42 Panchayats of the 500 groups.

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Unit level indicators

1. Every group of the overall 500 groups is an active member of a federation on block

level, which is active concerning “entitlement realization.”

Unit No of groups No of block level

Federation

Chenari 70 01

Sasaram 100 01

Piro 70 01

Jamalpur 30 01

Sheikhpura 100 01

Gahiri 70 01

Raxaul 60 01

Total 500 07

2. At least 4125 women (out of the 5000 women) benefit from the government

programme/schemes

Unit No of groups No of Women No of Women

benefit from the

govt. schemes

Chenari 70 700 560

Sasaram 100 1000 800

Piro 70 700 560

Jamalpur 30 300 255

Sheikhpura 100 1000 850

Gahiri 70 700 560

Raxaul 60 600 540

Total 500 5000 4125

3. Women/Women groups have at least 100 documented cases protested against “violence

perpetrated on women”

Unit No of groups No of documented cases

Chenari 70 15

Sasaram 100 21

Piro 70 15

Jamalpur 30 07

Sheikhpura 100 18

Gahiri 70 15

Raxaul 60 09

Total 500 100

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4. 90 percent of the 5000 women participate regularly at gram sabhas

5. In the course of the Panchayat Elections in Bihar in 2016 at least one member is

elected to each of the overall 42 Panchayats of the 500 groups.

Unit No of groups No of Panchayats No of elected

Women

Chenari 70 08 08

Sasaram 100 08 08

Piro 70 05 05

Jamalpur 30 04 04


Gahiri 70 05 05

Raxaul 60 06 06

Total 500 42 42

9) Activities based on the Objectives:

Objective 1: Formation of Federations and Strengthening of lobbying activities of women

individually, as group, as federation in order to get better access to government programmes.

a) One day seminar for mobilizing and orienting the members of CBOs at the unit level

at the start of the project implementation.

A one-day seminar was organized for the CBO leaders in the beginning of the project

implementation at the unit level for mobilizing and orienting the CBO members towards

their active participation in the project implementation process. In the seminar the CBO

leaders were motivated to work together to achieve the project goal. They were made aware

of the importance of their role in realizing their entitlement.

Unit No of groups No of Women No of Women

Participating in

Gram Sabha (90%)

Chenari 70 700 630

Sasaram 100 1000 910

Piro 70 700 630

Jamalpur 30 300 270


Gahiri 70 700 630

Raxaul 60 600 540

Total 500 5000 4500

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During the seminar video clips, chart papers and short stories were used to increase their

knowledge on how they could work collectively and reduce the violence on women and

girls and to strengthen their

participation in the local

level politics. The seminar

was started with discussion

on how to promote human

values and to reduce

violation human rights. A

total of 1,531 CBO women

participated in this seminar.

Before this programme,

groups were mainly focused

on the economic strengthening but under this programme women would take collective

action for social, political and economic strengthening. During the seminar they decided to

form a cluster in each Panchayat.

b) Formation of Clusters at Panchayat level

In all seven units the formation of Clusters was completed in the year 2015 itself. The Animators and

Unit coordinators conducted several meetings with the CBOs at Panchayat level in order to help the

CBO members to identify the leaders for the formation of Clusters in their respective Panchayats. The

Animators educated the CBO women about the importance of coming together as a group at

Panchayat level to perform better in availing their rights. After a series of meetings, the women took

initiative in the formation of the Clusters.

One day seminar for mobilizing and orienting the members of CBOs

Date Name of Unit No. of Participants Resource person

20/2/2015 to 23/2/2015 Chenari 204 Sr. Alka & Sr. Manju

5/2/2015 to 9/2/2015 Sasaram 307 Sr. Ajita, Mr. Ashok

Kumar & Animators

2/3/2015 to 10/3/2015 Piro 203 Sr. Amrita, Mr. Tej

Narayan & Animators

18/3/2015 to 21/3/2015 Jamalpur 127 Mr. Sunil & Mrs. Sajni

11/2/2015 to 19/2/2015 Sheikhpura 300 Sr. Udaya & Sr.

Suprabha

26/2/2015 to 23/3/2015 Gahiri 210 Sr. Sunanda & Mr.

Ramnath

26/2/2015 to 7/3/2015 Raxaul 180 Sr. Harsha & Sr. Grace

Total 1,531

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A Cluster is the Apex body of the CBOs at the

Panchayat level. When the CBOs are capable of

managing their basic activities such as saving

and credit and regular monthly meeting in their

villages, they are clustered in their Panchayats.

If a Panchayat does not have more than 5

CBOs, then these CBOs are clustered with

those of the adjacent Panchayat. Once the CBO

becomes a Cluster member it is eligible to join

the Federation at the Block level. From each

CBO, two members are elected to form the

Cluster body. From the cluster body, three

office bears are elected as President, Secretary

and Treasurer. The number of members in the

Cluster body depends on the number of CBOs in that particular Panchayat. The Cluster body meets

once in every month to deal with the issues of CBOs in their Panchayats. A Cluster is a CBO

network of a particular Panchayat. At present there are 39 Clusters in the project locations. The

following chart shows the number of Clusters in unit wise.

c) Formation of Federation at Block level

The Formation of Federations at block level in five units of Mashal in different locations namely Piro,

Sheikhpura, Jamalpur, Gahiri and Raxaul was completed by November 2015. There were already two

functioning Federations before the start of the project – one in Sasaram and one in Chenari.

The objectives of the Federations are the following:

To strengthen the economic conditions of CBO members.

To ensure active participation of women in the local political arena.

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4 5 5

4

6

No. of Clusters - Unit Wise

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To strengthen women to stand up against violence and exploitation of women and girls and get

relief from the same.

To promote education of women and girls.

To bring equality among men and women.

To create awareness in women of their roles

in overcoming social evils such as

superstition, child marriage, forced

marriage, dowry system, etc

To ensure active participation of women in

rural health development.

To strengthen advocacy and lobbying for

entitlement through CBO network.

To ensure women’s participation in social development in national interest.

The Unit Coordinators and Animators conducted several meetings and discussions from village

level to Panchayat level with the CBOs to identify the eligible CBO members for the formation of

Federation.

The eligible groups proposed the formation of the Block level Federation. The formed Federation

consists of two committees, namely the General Body and the Governing Body.

Formation of the General Body: The CBOs in the cluster, from each of which one member is

elected to the general body of the Federation.

Formation of the Governing Body: From the general body of the Federation two members

from each Panchayat are elected to the governing body. Election of office- bears for the

Federation such as (a) President (b) Vice-president (c) Secretary (d) Treasurer is done from the

governing body for smooth functioning of Federation. The following chart shows the

number of Federations in unit wise.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

No. of Federations - Unit wise

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d) Meetings of CBOs, Clusters and Federations

The Coordinators and the Animators carried out monthly meetings and focus group discussions

with CBOs, Cluster and

Federation members. Cluster

and Federation meetings

were held for the purpose of

strengthening the CBO

members to be active

participants in the

implementation process of

the project activities. They

discussed the needs and the

significances of formation

and strengthening of clusters

and federations to get better

access to various

government programmes.

They also talked about the new schemes of the government and how they would get the

benefits. The issue, that of women not being able to fill the forms properly and get the benefits

of the schemes even after wasting a lot of time, was also raised. In some meetings, the benefits

of the schemes given by the Mukhiyas were also discussed. The animators talked about how to

live in a group and take action against village and family problems. They also discussed on

Panchayati Raj elections,

admission of girl

children in the school

and to fight against

sexual abuse and

violence against women

and girls. For the

realization of rights,

social transformation and

getting better access to

government

programmes, each unit

formed six committees in

the cluster at Panchayat

level. These committees

are Health, Education,

Environment, PRI, Government Schemes, Vigilance committee on Human Rights. In the

meetings they also discussed on the state government’s agendas on ODF (Open Defecation

Free) villages, Pave road, street light, drainage, drinking water, house hold electricity under the

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Seven Resolutions Scheme and on stopping the child marriage and increase the literacy rate of

girls under the Kanya Utthan Yojana.

In Raxaul and Gahiri, the federations could not function properly because; several micro

finance companies are active in these regions. A large number of male members migrate from

these areas due to absence of opportunities of livelihood. Only women and old persons are left

behind in the family for caring for their children and their homes. These women take loan from

the micro finance companies for their family needs and when the male members send the

money they repay the loan with huge interest. Women take loan from 2-3 finance companies,

due to high interests; the repayment of loan becomes a heavy burden for them. The Unit-in-

charge sisters are making new strategies for saving women from micro finance companies.

The Following Charts demonstrate the unit wise Meeting and the Participation of Clusters and

Federations in the meetings from 2015 to 2018

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Federation Meeting in %

2015

2016

2017

2018

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100 Participation of Federation meeting in %

2015

2016

2017

2018

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e) 5 days of Capacity Building Training to the Federation Leaders

Five days of Capacity building training of the Leaders of the Federations was conducted for the

purpose of strengthening the Federation with enhanced leadership qualities, technical capacities to

run the CBO network effectively at block level. The training was organized for 35 participants (5

governing body members of each of the 7 Federations) from 02 to 06 September 2015 at Mahila

Chetna Kendra, Patna. The module for the training included life skills such as: Self-Awareness,

Interpersonal Relationship, Empathy, Coping with Emotions, Problem Solving, Decision Making,

Effective Communications, Creative Thinking and Critical Thinking.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Cluster Meeting in %

2015

2016

2017

2018

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Participation of Cluster Meeting in %

2015

2016

2017

2018

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f) Three days Training for CBOs at Unit Levels on available schemes and programmes

of the State and Central Government

A three days training was organized by every unit of Mashal in the different locations of the

project for the purpose of imparting

knowledge and information to the CBO

leaders on different govt. schemes and

programs available at the state level and the

central level. In the villages, people are not

made aware and educated about the

programmes entitled to them. The CBO

leaders who took this training provided the

information and knowledge that they

received about the government programme

to their CBO members and also to their

family members. This way all the CBO

members were made aware of the Govt.

schemes and programmes such as

MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), NHRM

(National Rural Health Mission), SRLM (State Rural Livelihood Mission-Jeevika), ICDS

(Integrated Child Development Scheme), Janani Awam Bal Surakhcha Yojana, National

Pension schemes, National Family Benefit, Special Schools, Free Hostel for SC/STs etc.

Participants of 5 days Capacity Building Training for the Federation Leaders

Unit Name of the CBO Leaders Total

Participants

Sheikhpura 1.Sita Devi 2.Malti Devi 3.Rekha Devi 4.Urmila

Devi 5.Janakawa Devi

5

Jamalpur 1. Rekha Devi 2.Sajani Devi, 3. Ahilliya Devi

4.Shanti Devi

4

Piro 1. Reena Devi 2.Kiran Devi 3.Marachi Devi

4.Hemanti Devi 5.Shobha Devi

5

Chenari 1. Runta Devi 2.Chanda Devi 3.Radhika Devi

4.Manderawati Devi 5.Sabiha Bibi

5

Raxaul 1.Reeta Mehta 2.Saroj Devi 3.Munni Devi

4.Parbhawati Devi 5.Munian Devi

5

Sasaram 1.Meera Devi 2.Saroj Devi 3.Sita Devi 4.Lakhsmina

Devi 5.Bindu Devi

5

Gahiri 1.Binda Devi 2.Seema Devi 3.Chathiya Devi

4.Kisnawati Devi 5.Jashoda Devi,6.Sardha Devi

6

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3 days Training for CBO leaders on available schemes and programmes of Govt. at Unit Level

Date Name of Units No. of

participants

Resource person

12/3/2015 to 11/4/2015 Sasaram 300 Sr. Ajita and Anushila

16/3/2015 to5/9/2015 Chenari 216 Sr. Alka and Sr. Manju

2/3/2015 to 25/5/2015 Raxaul 180 Sr. Harsha and Sr. Grace

30/3/2018 to 4/6/2015 Sheikhpura 301 Sr. Udaya and Sr. Suparbha

9/4/2015 to 26/4/2015 Piro 210 Sr. Amrita and Mr. Shiv Kumar

11/3/2015 to26/3/2018 Gahiri 210 Sr. Sunanda

16/4/2015 to 31/10/2015 Jamalpur 90 Sr. Anupriya

Total 1,507

g) Awareness Campaign on National Rural Health Mission, Mahatma Gandhi National

Rural Employment Guarantee Act, State Rural Livelihood Mission-Jeevika

Awareness campaign on MGNREGA, NRHM and SRLM-Jeevika was conducted at the village level

in all the seven units of Mashal for the purpose of providing knowledge and information to the CBOs

members and villagers about these schemes

and how to avail them.

With the help of the Unit coordinators and

the animators, the CBO leaders sensitized

the people in the villages on the provisions

of MGNREGA, NRHM and SRLM through

rallies, writing on the walls, awareness

sessions/meeting, Slogans, Banners of

different Govt. schemes etc. They also had

discussions regarding how to get the benefits

under MGNREGA, NRHM and Jeevika.

There was good participation of women and other family members in the campaign. They gained

information and knowledge about the procedures of getting job cards, wages, number of days of

work, and how to get work under MGNREGA. They also got information and knowledge about the

provisions of NRHM such as Community Health Centre, Primary Health Centre, Janani Suraksha,

Yojana, ICDS-Aganwadi, Vaccinations and so on. The women learnt how to link their groups with

Jeevika and avail the benefits.

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As part of the awareness campaign 5000 entitlement cards were made for each member of

the 500 CBOs. Every unit conducted a survey regarding the number of CBO women's access

to different govt. schemes and programmes.

h) Three days residential training on Federation Management for the implementation team

(5 women from each Federation Governing Body and the Coordinators and Animators).

Mashal conducted a three-day residential training at its training centre, Mahila Chetna Kendra,

Patna, from 28th

August to 30th

August, 2016. This training was attended by all seven Unit

Coordinators, Animators and five members of the each federation governing body from the

units. 65 members participated in the training. The resource person for the training was Sr.

Jyotisha. On the first day, the topic was on Organization: what an organization is, what the

identifying features of an organization are and what is the importance of an organization in

social development, economic strengthening, eradicating corruption, demanding our rights, etc.

For teaching about organization, video clips, stories, discussions and plays were used. Women

came to know about what are the good qualities in an organization. In the second day, the

participants learnt how to organize the Federations of CBOs and the rules and regulations of a

Federation, what a cluster is and how a cluster makes a network of CBOs at Panchayat level,

what the roles of a cluster in a federation, how a CBO can join a Federation etc. The

participants came to know about the clusters and their benefits. On the third day, the focus was

on the financial strengthening of a Federation — the saving credit activities of Federation and

how CBOs play an important role in strengthening the finance of a Federation, how does a

federation work for a long time and where does the money come from for the administrative

functions of the federation etc. There were several questions from the participants for better

clarity and understanding of the management of a Federation and they expressed satisfaction

over the learning that they received from the training.

Three days training on Federation Management for the implementation team

Date No of

Participants

Resource Person Methods Contents

28-30/8/2016 65 Sr. Jyotisha

Mrs. Vandana

Mr. Ashok

Songs, Stories,

games, group

discussions,

video clips, power

point presentation

Chart papers and

blackboard

What, why and how of an

Organization/ Federation

Importance of Federation

in: women empowerment,

social development,

economic strengthening,

eradicating corruption,

accessing rights and

realizing entitlement

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i) Interface Meeting of CBO Leaders with the Service Providers

Interface meeting is a system to know about the details of government schemes, and to reduce

confusion and rumours regarding the schemes because the service providers themselves provide

the information related to it. Under the project, to help the women get better access to the

government programme, the Interface meeting has been conducted continuously every year from

2015 to 2017. The interface meeting was organized by the programme personnel with the help of

CBO leaders and members. They gave the invitation letters to the Govt. officials and met them

personally for the participation in the Interface Meeting. The CBO leaders prepared the agenda for

discussion with the officials. The interface meeting was organized on different dates in all the

respective units of Mashal. The following are the details of different interface meetings of the

units.

Chenari: First interface meeting was organized on 11th

August, 2015 in Chenari Unit at

Multipurpose Hall, Chenari Block. The chief guest of the day was the Block Development Officer

(BDO) of Chenari Block, and the meeting was chaired by the Unit In-charge Sister Alka. The

Circle Officer (CO) of Chenari, some panchayat representatives and other officials were present in

the meeting. Firstly, the BDO and the CO of Chenari Block addressed the CBOs, they shared

information about all the schemes which were going on at the block level for the beneficiaries such

as Health Cards for BPL family, MGNREGA Scheme, PDS, Providing 3 decimal land to landless

Mahadalit families, Aaganwadi Schemes, Pension scheme, Indira Awas Yojana, Ration Card,

schemes for repairing home at the time of natural disasters or any other emergency for the BPL

family.

Second interface meeting was organized on November 15, 2016 in the MGNREGA building in

Pabendi Panchayat. Approx. 70 CBO members reached there. In the interface meeting, the

preamble of the Indian Constitution was recited. The

Chief Guest was Barkat Ali Khan (Mukhiya of Pebandi

Panchayat), and other guests were Father Ranjan

(Manger of Mission School, Chenari), Visheshar Yadav

(Sectary of Panchayat), Sgodra Devi (Sarpanch),

Mukhdev Ray (BDC), some ward members, Panchs,

Gram Sewaks, and many other respectable persons who

participated in the interface meeting. Unit in-charge Sr.

Alka gave a short introduction about the interface

meeting and its benefits. The interface meeting was

started according to the agenda. In succession, many

social issues and other topics were deliberated upon. The

main focus was on pensions of old women, widow

women, PDS, Toilet etc.

Some CBOs women raised several issues and problems related to different schemes such as not

being paid wages for working under the MGNREGA scheme since a long time, Aaganwadis are

not functioning properly; Indira Awas Yojana, Street/Road, not getting the benefit of Kanya

19

Surakcha Yojana, land issues for Mahadalit family, not including the name of eligible candidates

in the BPL list and so on. The officials clarified the different issues raised by the CBO women, and

they assured the CBO women that appropriate actions would be taken against the concerned

officials very soon. The centre coordinator also made the CBO women aware regarding the new

schemes running at panchayat and block level and how to get the benefit of these schemes.

Third interface meeting was organized on 14th

June, 2017 in the campus of Chenari block. 442

CBO women and others participated in meeting. CBO women, many villagers, Aganwadi sevika

and ANM participated in the meeting. A letter was written to ask for permission and the invitation

cards were printed and distributed among all the block officers and the Mukhiyas. The BDO told

the unit in-charge that he would come and he himself called the Mukhiyas on phone but at the last

moment, the BDO and the Mukhiyas didn’t turn up. The BDO took leave that day without prior

information. Only MGNREGA officers Manoj Kumar Gupta and Block Education Officer Sarvjit

Singh came from the block office. Other guests were Ashok Prasad (teacher in Chenari), Uma

Paswan (BRC Supervisior), Sahodara Devi (Sarpanch, Pebandi), Vijay Pal (Panch), Vimala

Devi(Ward member), Mantora Devi (Ward member), Dharam Shila Devi (BDC, Ugahni, Vandana

Thakur (Centre coordinator, Mashal), Virendar (Welfare supervisor, Chenari), Raju Singh

(reporter), Gudiya (District ODF supervisor), Vijay Kumar (District ODF supervisor ), ASHAs,

Aganwadi Sevikas and all Jeevan Mashal Samitti staff. Most of the issues discussed were related

to open defecation free villages (ODF), education systems and corruption in MGNREGA works.

Sasaram: First interface meeting was organized on 25 August, 2015 in Nokha Block, Sasaram

Unit. The chief guest of the day was the Block Development Officer, Nokha Block, and the

meeting chaired by the Unit In-charge Sister Ajita. The interface meeting was inaugurated by the

BDO with other govt. officials.

Second interface meeting was organized on October 25, 2016 in an assembly building in Nokha

block office. With the help of project personnel, the interface meeting was planned and

information regarding the date and

time was notified in the CBOs. A

letter was written to ask for

permission to hold the meeting in

the block assembly hall and an

invitation letter was prepared to

invite the service providers. All the

arrangements were done

systematically for a fruitful meeting.

The Chief Guest was Shri Rahu l

(CEO, Nokha) and other guests were

Ravi Shankar Singh (District

Councilor, Nokha), Girendra Kumar

Singh (Programme officer of MGNREGA), Vikas Kumar Sirvastava (Accountant, Nokha), Lalit

Chaudhary (Nokha Pramukh), Urmila Devi (Mukhiya, Hathni Panchayat), Azraf Ali

(Mukhiya,Dharpura), Kavita Devi (Mukhiya, Ghosiya), Ashok Bharati (Mukhiya Nonsari), Vinod

20

Shrivastav( Civil court advocate), Unit in-charge, unit coordinator and CBO members. The CBO

members posed their problems in front of the service providers one by one. Many suggestions

were given by the service providers to solve the problems. Vinod Shrivastav provided information

about law meant to reduce atrocities against women.

They discussed with the CBO leaders regarding the welfare schemes of Health, Education, Public

Distribution System (PDS), MGNREGA and Aaganwadi in the interface meeting. The CBO

women shared issues and problems that they were

facing at the time of getting the welfare schemes'

benefits in different offices. One of the CBO

members from the village Kaithi – Mrs. Usha Devi

raised the issue of demanding of bribe in Govt.

hospital by the staff at the time of getting the benefit

of Janani Suraksha Yojna. They also raised several

issues regarding MGNREGA (they did not get the

payment since a long time as they worked under

MGNREGA scheme), benefits of the Old age

pension, family benefits, Indira Awas Yojana,

names in the BPL list, books not available in the

schools, toilets and so on. Most officials of the block

participated in the interface meeting and shared their

views regarding the govt. schemes.

Third interface meeting was organized on 21st

June, 2017 in the campus of Nokha block office.

315 CBO women and many villagers participated in

the meeting. The Chief guest was Dharmendra Kumar Singh (BDO, Nokha), and other guests were

Ravi Shankar Singh (Jila Parshad), Amin Singh (BEO), Vikas Shrivastav (MGNREGA officer

Nokha), Supervisor of ICDS, Vandana (Programme coordinator, Mashal), Sr. Suprabha (Unit in-

charge), Akhilesh Kumar (unit coordinator), animators, Panchayat Didis , Federation governing

body members and Ward members, Panch and Surpanch, who were elected from the CBOs.

Interface meeting was planned in the federation meeting and information regarding the date and

time was notified to the CBOs. A letter was written to ask for permission to conduct the meeting in

the block campus. Last time, the BDO couldn't come due to some reason, so this time the unit

coordinator and federation women personally met and invited him. Amin Singh (BEO) listened to

all the problems of the women related to the field and wrote them down in his diary and promised

the women that he would solve the problems immediately. He shared some information with the

CBO women about VSS (Village School Samittee) and BRC (Block Resource Centre) and many

other schemes. Vikas Srivastav (MGNREGA, Nokha), listened to many problems related to

MGNREGA works and due payments and he promised the women that immediately, their

problems would be solved. Many CBO women came with applications to submit to the officers.

The women participated in the meeting with enthusiasm.

21

Piro: First interface meeting was organized on 20th

August, 2015 in Piro at Panchayat Hall,

Charpokhari Block. Since the officials were late for the meeting, Fr. Charlie, the manager of

Pushpa High School, Piro was asked to be the chief guest of the day and the meeting was chaired

by the Unit In-charge Sister Amrita. Later, the Govt. Officials and Panchayat Representatives

came to the meeting. The programme personnel expressed all the issues and problems in their

Panchayats. The Officials and Panchayat representatives discussed on the different issues and

problems with the CBO leaders and assured them that they would do their best to provide better

services to the women and villagers regarding the different Govt. Schemes. The Mukhiya from

Koal Panchayat announced that he has

started the work of Toilets' construction in

all the villages and it would be completed

before the next panchayat elections. He

also said that not a single poor family

would be left out of this scheme in his

panchayat.

Second interface meeting convened on

November 10, 2016 in the block assembly

building, Charpokhari. Approx. 200 CBO

members participated in the interface

meeting. All arrangements were perfect

and systematic. The interface meeting started with the lighting of the lamp of knowledge. The

officials were Sanjeev Kumar (Block Development Officer), Kamlesh Kumar Sinha (Civil

Surgeon of Charpokhri PHC), MD Samim Anjum (House Development Officer, Charpokhri)

Sharda Devi (Mukhiya of Nagri Panchayat), Kamleshwar Pandey (Mukhiya of Mukundpur

Panchayat), Sushil Kumar (Mukhiya Pati of Thakuri Panchayat), Parash Nath (Ward member,

Madriya), Pujan Chaudhary (ward member of Pasaour), Mahesh Kumar (ward member of

Jaidhpur), Anurag Pandey (Deputy Head, Nagri), Raja Ram Singh (ward member of Nagri),

Rajnikant Ray (ward member of Nagri-13), Harendar Yadav (20 Sutri Yojana), Devanti Devi

(Panch, Repura), Sanjeeta Devi (Panch, Mukundpur panchayat), Amrawati (ward member of

Mukundpur Panchayat), Sanjharo Devi (ward member of Mukundpur panchayat), Sunit Devi

(Panch, Mukundpur panchayat), Sunita Devi (Panch Pasaour), Geeta Devi (Panch Pasaour), and

many respected persons also participated. Many CBO women expressed their problems of not

getting the schemes. The BDO and other officers listened and provided solutions to their problems.

The BDO focused on toilet schemes. Some women asked questions about the pension for disabled

and how to get a certificate of disability made. The civil surgeon provided a satisfactory answer.

Some women asked about work under MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and other

schemes.

Third interface meeting was organized on 23rd

June, 2017 in the campus of Block Dairy Hall.

204 CBO women and 37 Panchayats, block level officers and representatives participated in the

meeting. The BDO was unable to come because he had to go to the District Magistrate Office for

an urgent meeting. The officials attended the meeting were Abu Nashar (CO, Charpokhari),

22

Devendar Mathur (BEO, Charpokhari), Amit kumar (Block Toilet coordinator), Panchayat Awas

Sewak, Rojgar Sewak, and Mukhiyas, Ward members, Panch, and some social activists. In the

meeting, the focus was on Prime Ministers Awas Yojana, ODF, and Pension Schemes. The CO

addressed the CBO women and told them not to take support of the middle men (brokers) for

getting the benefits of government schemes and not to bribe any block officer or staff. In the

meetings, many issues were discussed such as new cards for PDS (Public distribution system),

because lots of families were deprived, and the linkage of Aadhar with bank accounts, renewing

the job card of MGNREGA works and ODF for the Wards and the Panchayats.

Jamalpur: First interface meeting was organized on 25 August, 2015 in Jamalpur. The chief

guest of day was the Block Development Officer (BDO), Dharhara Block. The meeting was

chaired by the Unit In-charge Sister Anupriya and the centre coordinator was also present in the

interface meeting.

The BDO addressed the CBO women

and discussed with them regarding the

welfare schemes at block level and the

procedures to get the benefits of the

same. He also focused on education and

made them aware of the need to send

their children to school, because,

education is one the best tools through

which all development is possible in the

society. The centre coordinator raised

the issue of MGNREGA passbooks and

job cards kept by the Mukhiya who had

not paid the workers under the scheme

for a long time. The BDO assured that

he would take action against the Mukhiyas and they would return the job cards and passbooks to

the beneficiaries. All Vikas Mitras and Tola Sewaks were present in the meeting; they also made

them aware and assured that they would try their best to help the CBO women in getting the

benefits of the govt. schemes. The CBO women asked the BDO for the construction of toilets in

the villages.

Second interface meeting was organized on December 29, 2016 in a Middle school in Dharara

block. The Unit in-charge sent an invitation to all the block officers. Though many representatives

came, officers didn't turn up for the interface meeting. The Chief Guest was Rupa Kumar (Deputy

Chief, Dhahara block), and other guests were Nand Lal Yadav (ward member, Ajivganj Pnchayat),

Jaleshwar Koda (Sarpanch, Ajivganj Panchayat), Anil Prasad (DPM, Ajiveeka), Mritunjay Kumar

(Deputy Sarpanch, Mahagama Panchayat), Ajay Kumar (Sectary, Lok Shikcha Kendra), Niranjan

Kumar tati (Sarpanch, Ittwa Panchayat), Hira Manjhi (ward member, Amari Panchayat), Suresh

Sah (Panch, Amari Panchayat), Baldev Modi (ward member, Amari), Sukhdev Yadav (Sarpanch,

Amari), RavIndira nath tati (member of Panchayat committee, Mahagama Panchayat), Jay Kumar

(Deputy Mukhiya, Mahagama Panchayat), Ashok Kumar Yadav (ward member, Mahagama

23

Panchayat), Ajay Sah (Mukhiya, Mahagama Panchayat), Ranjit Kumar (ward member, Amari),

Shyam kumar (Vikas mitra, Ajivganj Panchayat), Yogeshwar koda (Panch, Mahagama Panchayat),

Sunil kumar Sah (ward member, Ittwa Panchayat), Rishi Jha (ward member, Ittwa Panchayat),

Soni Kumari (Vikas Mitra, Mahagam Panchayat), Sita Devi (Panch, Amari Panchayat).The

interface meeting started in a systematic manner. The unit coordinator had prepared a plan and an

agenda for the meeting, and one by one, discussions were held and each problem was reflected

upon according to the agenda. Most of the representatives who had come in the meeting were men.

When women discussed about social problems such as child marriage, large number of girls

dropping out of schools, dowry system, and domestic violence, and female foeticide etc., men said

that all social problems are due to the women in the society. When women questioned the men

about violence against women, men had no answers and they agreed that many social problems are

due to the patriarchal system. Sister Anupriya summed up the interface meeting and demanded

support for work from representatives in the villages of Dhaharara block.


June, 2017 in the campus of one of the Middle

Schools of Dhaharara block. 47 CBO women participated in the meeting. The Chief Guest was

Sujit kumar Rawat (BDO of Dhahrara block) and other guests were Yogendar Koda

(Mukhiya,Ajivganj), five Ward members, one Sarpanch, two Panchs, and Mahphuz Aalam

(President of the Child Welfare Department). Many issues were discussed in the meeting and the

CBO women put their problems in front of the BDO and other officers. The main agenda was:

Lady Doctor’s appointment in the PHC of Dhaharara block and doctors’ appointment in each

Panchayat of the sub-centre of Dhaharara, provision of drinking water in the villages, and of

toilets, drinking water and dustbins in all schools of Dhaharara, Provision of pre-primary schools

in the Hadyachak village of Mahagama Panchayat, Provision of primary schools in Rajamushari,

and starting the aganwadi in the newly constructed aganwadi centre in Dastola in Mohanpur,

schools in dalit tolas, construction of the building of Notre Dame Mahila Vikas Samittee, Ittwa,

Dsharathpur, PDS cards for families that don't have them, land for dalit and adivasi families who

are landless and have no shelter to live.

Sheikhpura: First interface meeting was

organized on 21st August, 2015 in Mahila

Shishkan Kendra,(MSK) Maria Ashram,

Sheikhpura. The chief guest of the day was the

Block Development Officer, Sheikhpura Block,

and the meeting was chaired by the Unit In-

charge, Sister Udaya. Ten government officials

such as District Public Health Department Officer

Mr. Nirmal Kumar, Agriculture Officer Mr.

Pankaj Kumar, Nodal Officer Mr. R.C Singh from

Gramin Bank, Medical Officer, and Mukhiyas

from five panchayats participated in the meeting.

Second interface meeting was organized on October 25, 2016 in MSK. 324 CBO members

attended this meeting. The interface meeting started in an effective and systematic manner. The

24

Chief Guest was Sunil Kumar Chand (BDO, Sheikhpura), and other guests were Kumari Amrita

Dayal (women help line, Sheikhpura), Kumari Jyoti Prabha Sinha (Short stay home), Vibhuti

Kumar (Deputy, Sheikhpura), Gore Lal (Panchayat committee member), Sheterndra Sharma. In-

depth information regarding government schemes was provided to the CBO members. Amrita

Dayal, who is the officer of the women help line, provided information on how the help line helps

the women who are victims of domestic violence.

All the officials addressed the CBO women and discussed with them on different welfare schemes

and the procedures to avail their benefits. The CBOs Women raised different issues and problems

regarding getting benefits of govt. schemes such as

Indira Awas, MGNREGA, not including name of

eligible candidates in the BPL list, Pay Jal Yojana,

Aaganwadi, Jan Dhan Yojana, Toilets, Health

Schemes, Pension Schemes, PDS, Agriculture

schemes and so on.

The Agriculture Officer said that most of the

agriculture schemes keep coming from time to time,

but there are certain procedures to avail the benefits

of the same. He asked the CBO women to fill the

forms and directly come to the office and submit the

forms for the respective schemes. If there were any

issues or problems they could come and meet the concerned officers. Likewise, all the officials and

panchayat representatives discussed on different issues and problems and they assured that they

would support the CBO women in accessing the different Govt. benefits and improve their

conditions.


June, 2017 in the campus of MSK. 345 CBO

women participated in the meeting. The BDO was unable to come because he had to go out of

district for some official work. The block officer for Sanitation, Lalbabu, was the chief guest in the

meeting. Other guests were Prabhat Singh (Mukhiya, Gagari), Arvind Kumar and Nirlesh Kumar

from IDBI bank. The main agenda were ODF of Wards and Panchayats, paved roads and drainage,

delay in getting benefits of old age pension, widow pension and other schemes.

Gahiri: First interface meeting was organized on 26th

August, 2015 in Gahiri. The chief guest of

the day was the Medical Officer, Pahadhpur Block. The meeting was chaired by the Unit In-charge

Sister Sunanda. Eight government officials and some Mukhiyas also participated in the meeting.

The CBO women discussed with the officials on issues and problems of getting different welfare

schemes such as Indira Awas, Toilets, Drinking water, Electricity, Education, Health, Aaganwadi,

MGNREGA, P.C.C Road, pension schemes, etc. The Govt. officials present in the meeting assured

the CBO women that they would provide better services at the block level and help them to access

the different welfare schemes and programmes. The unit personnel raised the problem about luring

away of some CBO women by the personnel of Jeevika in the villages. But, Mr. Hassan, the Block

25

Project Manager of Jeevika said that most of the SHGs were formed by Jeevika are in those areas

where not a single SHG was formed. He asked to submit the list of Mashal CBOs in the respective

areas for review and after that he would take action regarding the same problem.

Some CBO women also gave a written application to the respective officials regarding the issues

and problems in the villages.

Second interface meeting was convened on 6/12/2016 in the Paharpur block office ground.

Approx. 210 CBO women participated. Many block officers and PRI representatives came in this

meeting. The Chief Guest was Ravi Ranjan, (BDO), and other guests were Avdesh kumar

Shirvastav (CO), Vindeshwar Shah (BEO), Hari Paswan, MD. Shahazad Ali (MGNREGA),

Akhlesh Ram (Vikas Mitra sariya), Dr. Ramesh Prasad (Pramukh), Rinku Prasad (ward member,

Tilanga tola), Bhola Ram (ward member), Surendra Kumar (Jeevika). CBO leaders were asking

questions in a very systematic manner. All officers replied to the questions related to their

respective departments. The BDO

was very happy about this interface

meeting and told the women that for

any problem related to the

government schemes, they could

directly come to the block office and

meet him, and that they should not

take help of any mediator.

Third interface meeting was

organized on 16th

June, 2017 in the

campus of Victoria Mission

Multipurpose hall. 163 CBO women

participated in the meeting. The

Chief Guest was Dr. Ramesh Prasad

(Pramukh, Paharpur block), Dr.

Salini (Doctor of PHC, Paharpur), Mr. Jitendra (Jeevika, Paharpur). The CBO women discussed

with the officials on ODF of Ward and Panchayats, Electricity, paved road and drainages, drinking

water for villagers, Vanposhak, MGNREGA job etc. Women were unhappy with the government

officers because the block office is very far and there were no transport facilities to reach there and

they don’t have lots of money so that they could travel to the block many times to get the benefits

of the schemes.

Raxaul: First interface meeting was organized on 11th

August, 2015 in Raxaul at Conference

Hall in Raxaul Block. The chief guest of day was the BDO of Raxaul Block and the meeting was

chaired by Sister Grace, the Unit In-charge, Raxaul. The BDO, Project Manager of Jeevika and

Gram Sewak addressed the CBO Women and talked about the govt. schemes from the village level

to the Block level. They have also focused on problems and issues raised by the CBO women in

the meeting such as MGNREGA, National Family Benefit, Pension Schemes, Health Schemes,

Aaganwadi, Gram Sabha, BPL list, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Jeevika, Road/Drainage and so on.

26

The BDO assured the CBO women that he would provide better services to the beneficiaries and

take appropriate actions against officials who deter from their responsibility.

Second interface meeting was conducted on 19th

November, 2016 in the assembly hall of Raxaul

block. Approx. 215 women participated. The Program manager, the Block Resource Person from

block resource centre, the MGNREGA officer, th e Block Programme Manager (Jeevika), and a

Mukhiya participated in the meeting. CBO women asked many questions related to the

government schemes. They discussed about the community-based problems and their solutions.

The officers replied to their

questions and this meeting proved

fruitful for CBO women.

Third interface meeting was

organized on 16th

June, 2017 in the

assembly hall of the block. 163

CBO women participated in the

meeting. The Chief Guest was Amit

kumar (BDO, Raxaul), and the

other guests were Nand Kishor Ray

(MGNERGA), Hardesh Kumar

(BRP, Raxaul), Sunidhi Priya (Agriculture office accountant), Ram Narayan Ray (Mukhiya Siswa)

and some respectable people from the panchayats. The BDO addressed the CBO members and said

that they shouldn't take support of or give money to the broker. He said that lots of problems come

in life so the women should consult the particular officers and get their problems solved. The BRP

officer Hardesh Kumar addressed the CBO women and appealed that they pay attention and

monitor the government schools and if they see any lack in the education system, they should

complain to the BEO office. Sunidhi Priya discussed lots of schemes related to the agriculture

departments. Women were very impressed to know about all the things.

CBO women’s participation in the Interface meetings

Units 2015 2016 2017

Chenari 189 70 442

Sasaram 310 312 315

Piro 200 196 204

Jamalpur 80 90 47


Gahiri 195 210 163

Raxaul 191 215 163

j) Linkage with the government schemes:

According to the project indicator at least 4125 women (out of the 5000 women) should benefit

from the government programme/schemes. Under this project, CBO women were supported in

accessing the government schemes and they could take benefits of schemes for their families and

27

themselves. In 2015 overall 4,761 women have benefited from government schemes; in 2016

1,381 women have benefited from government schemes; in 2017 3,686 women have benefited

from government schemes and in the extension period 2018 Jan to March 361 women have

benefited from government schemes. In the bridge financing period April -December, 1,023

women have benefited from the government schemes. As a whole all 5000 women have benefitted

from one or the other government schemes during the project period.

See details in annexure: 1

Outcome/ Impact

Under the first objective, "Formation of federations and strengthening of lobbying activities of

women individually as group, as federation in order to get better access to government

programmes", several activities were conducted. Each unit CBOs had the saving credit activities.

But accessing the government schemes was very difficult for the CBOs, because they had no idea

and awareness about the schemes and how to access the benefits of the schemes. Under this project

several activities were conducted to capacitate the women for taking leadership to realize their

rights. The formation of clusters at Panchayat level and federations at block level was done in the

first year itself. Through the monthly meetings of federations, clusters and CBOs and the interface

meetings with the officials, the women came to know about several government schemes and the

processes of how to get them. They reached the Block office and met the BDO, the BEO, the

MGNREGA officer, the CDPO, the agriculture officer, and also reached the Mukhiya's house and

submitted the application forms for schemes such as Toilets, Renewal of MGNREGA job card,

PDS cards and several others schemes which they are entitled to get . They organized strikes for

paved roads, publicly complained to the MGNREGA officer in interface meeting against the

Mukhiya, who discriminated them and took money on behalf of work. They also demanded jobs

under the MGNREGA programme. CBO women were pressurised by the BDO for ODF so

collectively they demanded land and got the land for making toilets. The women challenged the

BDO who insulted them when they went to meet him for their due scheme benefit. Women

collectively reached the DM office and Janta Darbar, Lok shikayat nivaran office for complaining

against the CDPO, Aganwadi workers and PDS distributers and the School principals for their

inaction in releasing the benefits. They solved several problems and accessed the benefits of

several schemes through their collective actions. They started to demand education facilities for

their children which were given by the government in each school. They started to support and

help each other in solving the problems of their communities. The Federations have become a

strong women’s net work at block level in achieving better access to government programmes.

Though the majority of women are illiterate they have gained confidence in some extend to deal

with their entitlement issues. The project personnel always guided and motivated the women in

their journey of realising their entitlement.

28

Objective2: Strengthening of women fighting against sexual abuse and violence.

a) Awareness Campaign in the target villages on Right to Education for enrolment and

retention of girls in the schools and collecting and documenting the data of enrolment and

retention. In Bihar, the literacy rate of women is low. According to the Census 2011, female

literacy in Bihar is 51.50 %. Many girls

don't go to school. If they go to school,

they drop out of school on account of

many problems. RTE (Right to

Education) has been enacted in India.

But many people don't know about this

right. According to Article 21A,

education is free and compulsory for all

children of the age of 6-14. It is a

fundamental right of every child.

The awareness Campaign on RTE was

conducted with the following

objectives: -

Spreading awareness among the rural poor

on Right to Education ACT (RTE).

Enhancement of knowledge of formal

education and for sending children to

school, especially the girl child.

Motivating the parents of the dropout girls

of schools and to enrol them back to

schools.

Encouraging timely enrolment and

retention of girls in the schools.

In all the units, CBO, Cluster and Federation meetings were conducted for taking up the issues of

sending the daughters of CBOs to school.

Sasaram unit conducted awareness campaigns in 16 schools in 8 Panchayats with CBO women.

Piro unit conducted campaigns in 13 schools covering 40 villages. Sheikhpura unit conducted

awareness campaign in 5 panchayats, 1 Nagar panchayat covering 20 villages with 965 CBO

women. Chenari unit conducted awareness campaigns in 8 Panchayats covering 40 villages with

456 CBO members and 3678 other villagers. Gahiri unit conducted awareness campaigns in 5

Panchayats covering 30 villages with 234 CBO members. Raxaul unit conducted awareness

campaigns in 6 Panchayats covering 25 villages with 411 CBO members and 983 other villagers.

Jamalpur unit conducted awareness programmes in each of 30 CBO’s at Panchayat level covering

29

20 villages. After the awareness campaigns on RTE many parents took their children and enrolled

them in the school. The following table shows the details of the enrolment of children in different

classes.

Enrolment of children in different classes after RTE Campaign

Unit Class

1

Class

2

Class

3

Class

4

Class

5

Class

6

Class

7

Class

8

Class

9

Class

10

Other Total

Sasaram 4 - - 1 1 5 1 4 10 1 BA- 1

Inter-

2

30

Chenari - - 3 3 3 3 2 1 - - - 15

Piro 8 5 4 9 1 5 1 2 20 2 3 Inter 60

Gahiri 10 2 7 - 5 - - - 3 1 - 28

Raxaul 9 13 9 5 8 1 7 3 3 1 - 59

Jamalpur 8 1 - 5 2 1 7 3 2 10 - 39

Sheikhpura 16 - - 1 - - - - 1 - - 18

Total 55 21 23 24 20 15 18 13 39 15 5 249

b) Three days residential training at the unit on Gender Sensitization for the CBO leaders (3

leaders of each CBO)

A Three-day Gender Sensitization

training of the leaders of each CBO

was conducted for the purpose of

strengthening of women fighting

against sexual abuse and violence. The

training was organized by the

respective units for the leaders of each

CBO.

The module for the training on

Gender sensitization included issues

such as:

The status of Indian women.

What is gender and gender discrimination?

What is the Patriarchy? And how does patriarchy work in the society?

30

Types of violence? And how does violence oppress the women and girls? Stereo- type mind-

set and culture of society.

Empowerment of women in reducing the violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Women’s rights and some laws to protect the women and girls.

The training was conducted in different groups because most of the CBO women are agricultural

labourers and depend upon the weather in Bihar for livelihood. The training was given by the Unit

in-charge Sisters with the help of other staff members. The Centre coordinator went to five units to

help with the training. Before the training, women were not aware of their rights. In the Stereo-

type mind-set of the Indian society, women accept violence as the destiny of their life. The training

through video clips, discussions and

experience sharing helped the

women to understand the difference

between sex and gender and how

gender discrimination leads to

oppression and deprivation. The

women were motivated to stand

against any form of gender based

violence and apply the laws that

protect them from discrimination

and violence just because they are

women.

Note: There are many reasons for

violence against women. One of

these reasons is men beating their wives in drunken state. In Bihar, a cause of violence is liquor.

Most CBO women, who are agricultural labourers, marginalized farmers, and labourers, were

beaten along with their children by their husbands who drank palm liquor and cheap desi liquor.

After a lot of struggle, women got relieved from this because from April 2016, the State

government prohibited the sale of any kind of liquor in Bihar. Large number of CBO women

supported it. They broke the liquor factories (Bhatta), and participated in rallies and campaigns in

protest of alcoholism. Women were happy that they would not be beaten by their husbands due to

alcohol and some money would be saved for the family’s well being.

c) One day campaign in the villages on violence against women and girls.

Each unit conducted a one-day campaign in the villages on violence against women and girls after

the three-days gender sensitization training. Before the campaign, all units conducted several

meetings with CBO, cluster and federation members. A plan was prepared for conducting the

awareness campaigns. Each unit made banners, pamphlets and handouts for creating awareness in

the villagers. In this campaign, issues related to violence against women were chosen. These issues

were dowry, domestic violence, witch hunt, child marriage, female feticide, female infanticide,

sexual abuse, child labour, discrimination of girls in education, trafficking of children etc.

31

Jamalpur unit conducted a big gathering of women and men and showed video clips related to

violence against women and girls. After showing the video, they took the feedback of the

audience. In Mahgama Panchayat of Dharara block, women came to know about trafficking of

girls and how to take precautions to protect girls from other forms of violence. Women told the

unit in-charge Sister about a person who came from Rajasthan to their village and wanted to marry

a girl from the village. He would go to every home and claim himself to be belonging to the same

caste as they were. The unit in-charge

Sister conducted a federation meeting

and planned with women to trace the

where about of the man. They

complained to the Police commissioner

and the District Magistrate about the

man’s arrival in the village and his

demand of marriage. Before taking any

action the man escaped from the

village.

In Sheikpura unit, CBO meeting was

conducted and video clips were shown

and the women were told about various types of violence. Discussions were held on few cases and

actions were taken upon them.

In Chenari unit, Street play was conducted in all the villages and there was a good number of

people participated in each village.

Gahiri unit arranged in each village a big gathering and displayed posters and played videos on

violence against women and girls. In this gathering, both women and men sat together and

discussed how to stop violence and abuse against women and girls. The women promised that if

they see any violence, they would take action against it.

In Raxaul unit, a village-level meeting was conducted and discussions were held to stop violence

on women and girls.

In Sasaram unit, meeting and rally were organized at the village level with slogans and posters on

gender based violence and discrimination.

Piro unit conducted the awareness camps in 40 villages. A large number of villagers came in

these camps and lots of questions were asked and clarified. The villagers became of aware of

different laws and how to fight against gender violence using the laws. The unit used auto

rickshaws and made a special dress for this campaign.

32

d) Three-days residential training on Legal Awareness (5 women from each Federation

Governing Body and the Co-coordinators

and Animators)

From 2nd

August to 4th

August, 2017, three-day

legal awareness training was conducted at

Mashal’s training centre, Mahila Chetna Kendra,

Patna.

All units, unit coordinators and animators and five

women from each federation governing body were

capacitated in this training (59 participants). These

three days were divided into two parts. Alka

Varma (a lawyer from Patna high court) and Sr.

Jyotisha took the classes on awareness of acts and

section of law of violence against women and girls. This training was reflective and interactive.

Several acts of law and sections were covered. In the

training, the support of power point presentations,

videos, and documentaries was taken. Many

important issues were touched during the training.

Alka Varma is not only a lawyer but also an

advocate in the legal aid cell of Patna district.

Firstly, she told how to file a FIR by writing a letter

by speed post. She told that any poor family and all

women can get the support of legal aid cell free of

cost. In the training, many issues were touched upon

such as Gender violence: Domestic violence/ 2005-

2006 Act, Female Feticide/ (PCPNDT Act)

(Satyamev Jayate female Feticide ), Dowry /Act

1961/Amendment 1984, Rape, Sexual harassment/Act 2013, Divorce, Elder person /Parents Care

and welfare (National policy 1999 and law 2007), Human trafficking for domestic work and

prostitution (Crime patrol Shalini) , (Human Trafficking), Violation of Child rights: Child

marriage/1929 amendment 2006 Act, Child labour/ 1986 Act, Child sexual abuse/ POSCO act,

2012, Juvenile Justice 2 000 etc, SC/ST Atrocities act 1989, RTE 2009, RTI 2005, MGNREGA

2005 etc. On 28th

August, 2015 Bihar government launched a new act Lok Shikayat Niwaran

Adhikar adhiniam.

Three Days Residential training at the Centre on Legal Awareness for five each federation governing

body members and project personnel

Date No. of

Participants

Resource Person Methods Contents

2- 4

/8/2017

59 AlkaVarma (Lawyer

of High Court, Patna)

& Sr. Jyotisha

Video clips, Group

Discussion,

Presentation from Chart,

Black Board

Gender violence and

different Laws in

combating the violence and

abuse

33

e) Meetings and focus group discussions with CBOs, Clusters and Federations to take up

the issues of violence and abuse on women and girls and collection and documentation of

cases taken up

Several meetings with CBOs, Clusters and federation were conducted to take up the issues of

violence and abuse against women and girls. Most of the cases came up on the issues of domestic

violence and a few cases were taken up on social violence. Before the starting of the project,

women would not complain against their husband or of domestic violence, but through the many

activities on gender awareness, women started talking about violence against them. Approximately

180 cases were taken up by the CBO members and tried to reduce violence against women, but

still women try to hide violence against them till the situation becomes excessively dangerous.

Number of Cases taken up in different units - year wise is given below

See details in Annexure 2

Outcome/Impact: Under the second objective "strengthening of women fighting against sexual

abuse and violence", several activities were conducted and the CBO women enthusiastically

participated in the meetings, campaign and other activities related to this objective. The first

positive impact of this objective was that several women started to speak about the violence and

atrocities, which were happening in their villages and affecting them. Before, the women did not

understand the patriarchal ideology but through the meetings and campaigns, they came to know

about patriarchy and the patriarchal ideology, the orthodox mind-set and the culture of society

which oppressed women and girls and maintained the disparity between males and females.

Several women admitted that their husband had beaten them, and women used to think that it is the

right of their husband but after knowing the whole concept of patriarchy that how this patriarchy

binds a woman's ideas with a man (male dominated ideas), now they raise their voice for their

dignity and respect in the family and society. Most of the rural women didn't know about the laws

and the acts which could be used to get justice done to them. The legal awareness training was

conducted to increase the knowledge of the women about laws and act and the federation women

were made aware about them. Under this objective, several women took collective action and tried

to reduce violence against women and girls. 180 cases were taken up and solved by the collective

Name of

Units

No of

Target

Cases

No of

Cases,

2015

No of

Cases,

2016

No of

cases,

2017

No of

cases,

2018

Total

Chenari 15 0 6 7 14 27

Sasaram 21 0 6 17 15 38

Piro 15 0 13 8 6 27

Jamalpur 7 1 7 5 7 20

Sheikhpura 18 0 8 10 6 24

Gahiri 15 1 4 9 10 24

Raxaul 9 0 5 10 5 20

Total 100 2 49 66 63 180

34

actions of CBO women. The activities increased their knowledge about gender and gender roles.

But still women try to hide the violence against them till the situation becomes excessively

dangerous. After the Right to Education (RTE) campaign in the villages, 245 girls were newly

admitted in the school and 68 dropout girls were readmitted in the age appropriate classes. The

organization is continuously working on reducing violence against women and girls because

without reduction in violence, the development of women and girls will remain only a dream.

Objective 3: Strengthening of women for stronger participation at local level politics (Gram

Panchayat).

a) Mobilization campaign in the villages Prior to the Gram Sabhas by CBO members

The Gram Sabha (GS) is the

cornerstone of the entire schemes

of democratic decentralization in

India initiated through the 73rd

Amendment to the Constitution.

Hence, the success or failure of the

Panchayati Raj system largely

depends on how powerful and

effective the GS is at the

decentralized level to fulfil the

desires and inspirations of the

people. The Gram Sabha is a place

where all the plans for the work of

the Gram Panchayat are placed

before the people who elected them. All the adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat

should attend the GS meeting.

In Bihar, a very few women are involved in politics due to their patriarchal mindset. Under the

objective of the project – strengthening of women for stronger participation at local level politics

(Gram Panchayat), awareness campaigns, prior to each of the four Gram Sabhas in a year, were

conducted for two years, in 2015 and in 2016. In the year 2015, four pre-Gram Sabha campaigns

were conducted with the purpose of sensitizing/awakening the CBO women/villagers to demand

for conducting Gram Sabhas and also to ensure active participation of the villagers, especially

100% participation of the CBO members in the Gram Sabhas. The awareness campaigns were

organized at the panchayat level through different methodologies such as campaigners’ wearing

Gandhi caps with different slogans written on the importance of Gram Sabha, using banners, rally,

and street play. In the campaign they discussed on: What is Gram Sabha? Who are the members of

it? How the Gram Sabha is conducted? What are the benefits of a Gram Sabha? When and how

many times in a year Gram Sabhas are conducted? Why Gram Sabha is important? etc. It was

observed that some Ward Members and Mukhiyas also participated in the Gram Sabha campaigns

in some of the units.

35

The CBO women under the guidance of the Project personnel had done advocacy and lobbying

with Panchayati Raj representatives like Mukhiyas and Ward members for calling the Gram

Sabhas. The CBO women met the Block

Development Officers and pressurized them

for ordering to conduct Gram Sabhas in all

the Panchayats of the respective blocks. The

unit in-charge Sisters, the unit coordinators

and the animators had worked hard for

increasing awareness among CBO women &

other villagers for their participation in Gram

Sabhas and other local governance. In 2016,

the main focus was to ensure the CBO

women and others to speak in Gram Sabhas

about the problems of their villages and be

aware of the government schemes launched

for their village development.

In Bihar since Gram Sabhas were not being

conducted in a proper way, the Bihar government prepared a master plan for rural development to

change the face of villages with community participation; its name is Hamara Gaon Hamari

Yojana (Our village our scheme). Under this program, the Government called for Gram Sabhas on

9th

, 10th and 11th

February for a socio-economic mapping of each ward of the panchayat to

understand the need of the locality for development, e.g. drainage; light, supply of drinking water

etc. Therefore the Pre - Garan Sabha campaign for 26th

January Gram Sabha was done for the

February Special Gram Sabha. Since Panchayat election was being conducted in May, there was

no Pre- Gram Sabha campaign for May 1st Gram Sabha.

After the Election of the Panchayati Raj, the

15th

August Gram Sabha was the first Gram

Sabha by the newly elected representatives.

Many new leaders had come up after election;

at some places the CBO women also were

elected. All the units conducted Pre -Gram

Sabha awareness campaign in the villages for

the participation in August 15th Gram Sabha.

The CBO women and other villagers, in huge

numbers, participated in the Gram Sabha. For

the 2nd

October Gram Sabha, the Pre -Gran

Sabha campaign was done very creatively. In

Piro, the Unit in-charge sent some unit staff to

Sewa Kendra, Patna to learn a Street play for

awareness campaign. The Street play was very

effective for awareness on why they should conduct the Gram Sabha and how they should demand

their rights and benefits of Yojanas which are made for the development of village and village

36

peoples. In Chenari, the project staff themselves wrote scripts for the street play for awareness

among the villagers on Gram Sabha. The street play was on an ideal village and asked the villagers

whether their villages were like the one in the play. When the villagers told it was not, they were

told how they could make their village an ideal village and how they could get the benefits which

the government provides them for their development. A pamphlet with guidelines related to Gram

Sabha was distributed to the villagers. In Jamalpur Unit, a Chariot with banners, posters on Gram

Sabha was prepared. Loudspeakers were made used for the awareness campaign of Gram Sabha.

In Ittwa Panchayat, the Mukhiya was very impressed and showed a green flag to start the

Awareness Chariot. Forty women came in the awareness chariot and propagated the importance of

villagers attending Gram Sabha. In Sasaram, Sheikhpura, Raxaul, Gahiri units, meetings were

organized at panchayat and village level to spread awareness on Gram Sabha. These methods were

very effective for the awareness campaign.

b) Strengthening the CBO women in

Panchayati Raj Election

Panchayati Raj Institutions, the grass root units

of local self-government have been considered

as instruments of social and economic

transformation in rural India. Mahatma Gandhi

advocated Panchayati Raj as the foundation

of India's political system – it would have been

a decentralized form of government where

each village would be responsible for its own

affairs. The term for such a vision was Gram Swaraj ("village self-governance"). The credit of

increasing women's political participation goes to

the Narsimha Rao government when the 73rd and

74th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992

Panchayati Raj Act not only provided autonomy to

the grassroots, but it also provided reservation of

one-third of seats for women in every Panchayat

and municipality and not less than one-third seats

shall be reserved for women belonging to

scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. In 2006,

Bihar government gave 50% reservation for

women in Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI).

In the objective of strengthening of women for

stronger participation at local level politics (Gram

Panchayat), one activity was that at least one person (CBO woman) was elected in PRI election

from every Panchayat of the project implementation areas. To this effect the project personnel had

taken a two-days-training regarding PRI Election in Sewa Kendra, Patna. After the training the

project staff went to all the villages of 42 panchayats and motivated the villagers and CBO

37

members to nominate women candidates from the respective panchayats for standing for PRI

election. Out of 5000 CBO women 107 CBO women were nominated in the Panchayat election.

Out of the 107 CBO women, 60 women were elected. 12 women were nominated against men

candidates. Out of the 12 women 5 women were from General Category, 5 women from SC

reserved Category, 1 woman from BC (Back ward class) reserved Category and 1 woman from ST

reserved Category against men. Out of those 12 women, only 3 women were elected. 6 women

were nominated in the General Category and 2 women were elected. 1 woman was nominated in

the BC (Backward class) category and she was elected. 7 women were nominated in the BC

(Backward) women reserved category and out of 7 women, 4 women were elected. 36 women

were nominated in the women reserved category and 22 women were elected. 30 women were

nominated in the SC women category and 19 women were elected. 2 women were nominated in

the ST category but no woman was elected. 5 women were nominated in the SC reserved category

but no woman was elected.

After the election each unit conducted a felicitation function for the CBO women and other women

who were elected in the Panchayat elections from the project area. All the elected women were

very happy to be felicitated. In the function they promised that they would do their responsibility

well for the development of their villages and Panchayats.

Data of Elected CBO women in PRI (Panchayat wise)

Unit No of

Groups

No of

Panchayats

Total No of women

Elected 2016

Chenari 70 8 15

Sasaram 100 8 23

Piro 70 5 7

Jamalpur 30 4 3

Sheikhpura 100 6 7

Gahiri 70 5 3

Raxaul 6 6 2

Data of Elected CBOwomen in PRI (post wise)

Unit No of

Nominated

& Elected

women of

CBOs

Mukhiya Sarpanch Panch Ward

member

Panchayat

committee

(BDC)

Total

Sasaram 23/34 - 1 10 12 - 23

Chenari 15/26 - 1 5 7 2 15

Sheikhpura 7/13 - - 3 3

1 ward

council

- 7

Gahiri 3/11 - - 2 1 - 3

Piro unit 7/10 1 - 3 3 - 7

Jamalpur 3/9 - - 1 2 - 3

Raxaul 2/4 - - - 1 1 2

Total 60/107 1 2 24 29 3 60

38

Name of Category Nominated CBO women Elected CBO women

General 6 2

Women reservation 36 22

BC 1 1

BC Women reservation 7 4

EBC Women reservation 20 12

SC Women reservation 30 19

SC reservation 5 0

ST reservation 2 0

Total 107 60

See details in Annexure: 3

General 5%

Women reservation

34%

BC 1% BC Women

reservation 6%

EBC Women reservation

19%

SC Women reservation

28%

SC reservation

5% ST reservation

2%

Nominated women

General 3%

Women reservation

36%

BC 2%

BC Women reservation

7%

EBC Women reservation

20%

SC Women reservation

32%

SC reservation 0%

ST reservation

0%

Elected women

39

c) Ensuring 90% participation of the CBO members in the Gram Sabha in their respective

Gram Panchayats

According to the objective — "Strengthening of women for stronger participation at local level

politics (Gram Panchayat)"; at least 90% women could participate in each Gram Sabha. In Bihar,

most of the panchayats, the Gram Sabhas were not conducted, the Mukhiyas only did paper work

and got signatures from some of the male members and prepared files for getting fund for the

development of the Panchayats. If at all Gram Sabha was conducted only very few women

participated in it. A society which is highly

patriarchal, women do not sit together with

men in the meeting and the men do not want

women attend any public meeting either. In

order to break this mind set, women were

motivated to attend Gram Sabha which is a

local level political meeting. There were

mobilization campaigns, prior to each Gram

Sabha, were conducted. Through this

activity, women gradually became aware of

the importance of participation in the Gram

Sabha.

In 2015, approximately, 25 to 30% women

broke their hesitation and crossed the border

of their house and participated in the Gram

Sabha except in two units of Gahiri and Raxaul. In 2016, Government announced a special Gram

Sabha for the month of February; therefore the 26th

January Gram Sabha was merged with the

February Special Gram Sabha in many districts of Bihar. So, very few Panchayats conducted the

January 26th Gram Sabha. Due to Panchayati Raj election May1st Gram Sabha was not conducted.

After the election, on 15th

August and on 2nd

Oct. Gram Sabhas, the CBO women participated in

the Gram Sabhas with a new hope and the number of women’s participation rose as shown by the

graph. It is a positive sign that women wanted change in the Patriarchal system and demanded

respect and dignity during the Gram Sabha and raised their voice for equality. Several Mukhiyas

did not want to conduct the Gram Sabhas but women started to demand the Gram Sabhas and sat

in front of the Mukhiya's house in protest in Sasaram, Piro, and Chenari. In Sheikhpura, the CBO

women boycotted the Gram Sabha because the Mukhiya conducted the Gram Sabha without any

prior announcement. Several CBO women and villagers jammed the main road and demanded that

some steps be taken against the Mukhiyas who do not conduct Gram Sabhas based on PRI rules. In

2017, the Bihar government launched several schemes of development, focusing the Wards of each

panchayat. So there was a shift of power of implementation and the fund of the schemes from

Panchayat Mukhiya to the Ward Members. Most of the Mukhiyas were upset and they appealed in

the high court against the Government’s decision to shift the power of implementation to Ward

Members, but the court dismissed their appeal. Therefore, some of the Mukhiyas were not

interested in conducting the Gram Sabha and sometimes they were angry with the CBO women,

40

when they demanded the Gram Sabha meeting. The natural calamities like floods also affected the

conducting of Gram Sabhas in Raxaul and Gahiri. In Sheikhpura a Mukhiya murdered an engineer

so there was a lot of commotion in the district. Several times when the CBO women demanded

Gram Sabha, they were told by the Mukhiyas that they had not received any notice from the

BDOs, so they would not conduct the Gram Sabha.

In 2018, on 26th January, again there was good participation of CBO women in the Gram Sabha

except in Sheikhpura. And in Chenari,

CBO women complained to the police

against some upper caste people, who did

not want to conduct the Gram Sabha so

the police officer also participated in the

Gram Sabha and rewarded the CBO

women and appreciated them for their

enthusiasm and vigilance for the

development of their villages. There was

more focus on ward Sabha than on Gram

Sabha during the year 2018.

The activities conducted for achieving the

objective of the programme was very

effective. The CBO women became more conscious of the importance of Gram Sabha and their

equal participation. The women started to exercise their rights and duties in an organized manner

through their stronger participation in the local level governance. Mashal is working with

marginalized groups, which never come out from their house and villages to demand their rights in

public. During the programme, the staff worked hard to break the stereotype mindset of the

villagers. They conducted CBO meetings, cluster meetings, federation meetings and motivated the

women to come out of the four walls of their home and attend the Gram Sabhas. In the campaigns

the women made other villagers understand the importance of attending the Gram Sabhas. The

women had to face many challenges in participating in the Gram Sabhas. In the beginning, there

was not much participation of women in the Gram Sabhas, and when they started participating, the

men rudely behaved with them, they weren't allowed to sit with men; for sitting as equals, they

raised their voice; some powerful men made fun of women; the women had to listen abusive

words, some community banned the participation of women, some Mukhiyas ignored the voice of

women and in some Panchyats the women had to fight for conducting the Gram Sabha. But all

these challenges brought lasting changes in the lives of women and they were strengthened to

participate in the local politics meaningfully. The following graph shows the percentage of

women’s participation in the Gram Sabhas of all four years

41

See details in Annexure: 4

d) One Day Campaign on Good Local Governance in the villages:

Good governance is an essential ingredient for socio-economic development of the country. In

Bihar good local governance is a need of the hour to bring rural development a reality. In order to

improve the local governance in the project area, campaigns were conducted at the village level. In

the campaigns banners, posters, street plays and songs

were used to communicate to the rural population the

importance of good local governance in the development

of their villages so that they support and demand for

good governance at the

village level. In the

awareness campaign, the

elected PRI

representatives like

Ward members, Panch,

Sarpanch, Mukhiya, and

villagers participated.

After the awareness campaign, the villagers started to ask

questions in the Gram Sabhas to the PRI representatives regarding

to the different development and social welfare schemes launched

by the government for their villages. But when it comes to exercising the power for implementing

the schemes there is a lot corruption taking place in the PRI system. There is also a shameful

practice of ‘Mukhiya Pati’ by which the elected women Mukhiyas are sidelined and made

powerless by their husbands or any other male members of the family. In many panchayats the

Women Mukhiyas exist only on paper. Once elected, the women are left being a mute spectator by

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Sasaram Chenari Piro Jamalpur Sheikhpura Gahiri Raxual

Percentage of CBO women's participation in Gram

Sabha

2015 2016 2017 2018

42

their husbands or male members of the family, who preside over meetings, take decisions, meet

higher officials on their behalf. The good governance campaign had a lot stress to stop this

practice. In some panchyats the CBO women collectively protested against this practice and

demanded the women Mukhiyas to preside over the function and facilitate the decision making

process. The state government has tried to tackle this practice but it hasn't yielded the expected

result. The reason being is that our bureaucracy has acceptance for "Mukhiya Pati" system in the

highly patriarchic society where women are considered subordinates. There is much more efforts

have to be put into the process of empowering women to stand for their rights. The following table

shows the participation of CBO women and villagers in the campaign on Good Local Governance.

e) Three-day training on Good governance for Elected PRI Representatives

Mashal organized a three-day training on Good Local Governance for the 60 elected PRI

representatives at its training centre Mahila Chetna Kendra, Patna from 17 to 19 May 2017. 28

elected members and five animators attended the training. The training was divided into three

sessions. The first session was on the

responsibilities of Gram Panchayat. The

second session was on the different

committees formed for carrying out the

responsibilities of Gram Panchayat by

Mukhiya and the power of Gram

Kachahari (village court) and the

responsibilities of Sarpanch and the

Panch in the village court. The third

session was on how to conduct a Gram

Sabha and when it is conducted and how

many meetings have to be conducted in

a year etc. The resource person, for the

training, was Md. Kalaam from Bettiah.

He is a veteran in PRI training. He gave

the training in a very simple manner

with stories in regional language. He

used documentaries, chart papers, songs etc for imparting knowledge and information to the

participants and made the teaching learning process very interesting and joyful.

Data of the participation of one day campaign on Good Local Governance in the village

Sl. No. Name of Units No of Participants

1. Chenari 1474 CBO women and villagers

2. Sasaram 1892 CBO women and villagers

3. Piro 852 CBO women and villagers

4. Jamalpur 612 CBO women and villagers

5. Sheikhpura 596 CBO women and villagers

6. Gahiri 1,131 CBO women and villagers

7. Raxaul 992 CBO women and villagers

43

At the end of every session there was an evaluation conducted to measure the learning outcome of

the participants. Each participant was given the opportunity to talk about what they had learned

from the day's activities. On the first day, the participants were hesitant to respond, on the second

day the women started to respond and on the third day the women shared with confidence what

they had learnt in all the three days. The training was very useful for the women and they attended

it with much enthusiasm and interest. The women promised the resource person that they would do

their responsibilities according to what they learnt in the training.

Data of participants in the training on Good Local Governance

Sl.No. Designation of the participants No. of Participants

1. Mukhiya 1

2. Ward member 11

3. Sarpanch 1

4. Panch 15

Total 28

Outcome/ Impact of the Activities of Objective 3

The CBO women and villagers became aware of the functioning of PRI. There was an

increase in the knowledge of local governance at Panchayat level and the importance of

their participation in the development of their villages.

CBO women actively participated in the Gram Sabha and protested against the shameful

practice of ‘Mukhyia Pati’.

The CBO women learned how to voice their rights in Gram Sabha.

In some cases, women participating in the Gram Sabha were discriminated against them, so

they raised their voice for their right to sit along with men at meeting for discussion and

decision making.

In some Panchayats CBO women collectively boycotted the Gram Sabha because

Mukhiyas were misusing their power and passing the government scheme of Indira Awas

only to his relatives and acquaintances.

In some panchayats, the CBO women sat at Dharana in front of the houses of Mukhayas

when they didn't conduct the Gram Sabha and demanded to conduct the Gram Sabha on

another date. They would not leave Mukhiyas houses till the Mukhiyas gave a new date for

the Gram Sabha.

In one Panchayat of Sadokhar in Chenari, some dominant class didn't want Dalits to hoist

the national flag on August 15 on Independence Day and they had removed the poles and

thrown them away, the CBO women and the villagers complained about this matter to the

police-in-charge of Chenari police station. The police came and restored poles and the flag

was hoisted in the Dalit tola. The policeman was impressed by the CBO women of their

awareness towards their rights and gave Rs. 2000 as a reward to the CBO.

44

The CBO women’s participation in PRI election was one of the major outcomes of the

activities. 107 CBO women were nominated in the Panchayat election. Out of the 107

CBO women, 60 women got elected. The women’s participation in local level politics is a

stepping stone to their struggle for equality and justice.

10) Additional Value added Activities:

a) Observances and Celebrations:

a) Celebration of the International Women's Day on 8th

March

Gender equality is a human right, but our world faces a persistent gap in access to opportunities

and decision-making power between women and men. Globally, women have fewer

opportunities for economic participation than men, less access to basic and higher education,

greater health and safety risks, and less political representation. In India, Patriarchy is

widespread in society. Patriarchy decides

the lifestyle of the women. Patriarchy

has made lots of enslaving customs for

women and it pressurizes the women to

follow them. Our society has given a

subordinate position to women. Our

Constitution says that all citizens are

equal, regardless of caste, class, or

gender. But the male dominated society

doesn't want girl children. Sometimes the

female foetus is killed before her birth. If

she is born, she is discriminated socially,

economically, politically and becomes

victims of violence and abuse.

No country in the world has achieved

equality between women and men and girls

and boys, and violations of the rights of

women and girls are an outrage. The 21st

century has to be different for every woman

and girl in the world. She must know that to

be born a girl is not the start of a life of hardship and disadvantage. Countries with more gender

equality have better economic growth. Companies with more women leaders perform better.

Peace agreements that include women are more durable. Parliaments with more women enact

more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child

support. Mashal has included in its women empowerment programme the celebration of

International Women's Day on 8th

March to bring the women from the deprived communities

45

in solidarity with the millions of other women who fight for justice, peace and equality across

the globe.

The women’s day celebration was

conducted under the leadership of

Federations of CBOs in all the units of

Mashal every year with guidance of the

Unit personnel. From 2015 to 2018, the

project period, the women have

celebrated the 104th, 105th, 106th and

107th International women's day

respectively in their own blocks. Every

year, the women's day was celebrated

with a specific theme. In the year 2015,

the theme was ‘Women’s Participation

in Development’, in the year 2016, the

theme was ‘Towards a society safe for women and girls’, in the year 2017, the theme was

‘Towards a more equal society’ and for the year 2018 the theme was ‘Be Bold for change’.

The Women's day celebration was

planned by the unit in-charge Sisters, unit

coordinators, and animators along with

women in the meetings of Federation,

Cluster and CBOs. They planned the

place and arranged the activities etc. For

the celebration, they took rallies using banners,

slogans, loudspeakers etc. There were functions

also held to sensitize the women towards their

rights and duties and also the need for collective

efforts in marching towards their emancipation.

The women performed cultural programme

depicting their struggles, achievement and

solidarity in realising their dream of a dignified

living with equality and justice.

The women’s day function of each year was

attended by the officers from the blocks, PRI

representatives, teachers, students, social activists

and villagers. The officers and dignitaries who spoke at the function appreciated the women for

their courage and enthusiasm in building an equitable and just society where men and women

live a dignified and peaceful life.

46

Data of participants in International Women's Day Celebration

b) Celebration of Girl Child Day on 11th

October

A girl child is as important as a boy child in the life

of the parents. Both are equally necessary for the

existence of life on earth. We cannot think about the

continuity of human life on earth without a girl child

(a future woman). But in India, a lot of girls are

killed before birth, a lot of girls are not able to

complete their middle and high school education, a

lot of girls are married before the age of 18th, a lot of

girls die while giving birth to a child. Girls

suffer from discrimination in their life. In

1990, the SAARC summit added the rights

of Girl Child in their agenda. After that on

December 19, 2011, the United Nations

General Assembly adopted a resolution to

declare 11th October as the International

Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’

rights and the unique challenges girls face

around the world. International Day of the

Girl Child has been celebrated on October 11th since 2012.

This annual event celebrates a worldwide revolution that aims for girls to be seen as equal. It can

in fact be called a day to generate awareness about gender equality in every nook and corner of the

world. The activities on this day focus on highlighting the rights of the girl child. This international

Sl.

No

Unit 's Name No of women

participated

in 2015

No of women

participated in

2016

No of women

participated

in 2017

No of women

participated

in 2018

1 Chenari 1000 800 659 200

2 Sasaram 1800 1600 900 1100

3 Piro 800 130 360 339

4 Jamalpur 350 500 320 500

5 Sheikhpura 2000 1700 2100 2446

6 Gahiri 800 1700 1500 150

7 Raxaul 700 600 300 305

47

movement aims to create opportunity for the overall growth of the girls. The various activities and

discussions on this day aim at increasing awareness about the gender inequality faced by girls all

over the world. In the year 2015, the theme for the International Girl Child Day celebration was on

"Ending Child Marriage, Promoting Girl's

Education and Empowering Adolescent Girls".

In 2016, the theme was on "Girls Progress -

Goals' progress: What counts for Girls" and in

2017 '' Empower Girls: Before, during and

after Crises".

Mashal celebrated International Girl Child day

in its Units in 2015 to 2017. The celebration

was a way to create awareness about saving the

girl children. Many cultural activities like skits,

folk songs, street plays, dramas, tableaus,

awareness songs, and rallies on the road were

organized. During the celebrations, some units conducted a cycle rally of girls with banners and

posters from Panchayat to Block office shouting of slogans. In the function at the celebration,

educational events like quiz, debates, speeches and discussions were also conducted focusing on

the importance of girls education, stopping child marriage, safety and protection girl children. The

celebration stressed the integral development of the girl children. The girls were happy and

enthusiastic about dealing with their issues and actively participated in the function.

Data of participants in the celebration of International Girl Child Day

Sl.No. Unit's Name No. of

Participants in

2015

No. of Participants

in 2016

No. of Participants

in 2017

1. Chenari 375 163 205

2. Sasaram 421 170 395

3. Piro 400 250 188

4. Jamalpur 500 64 188

5. Sheikhpura 275 186 180

6. Gahiri 800 400 550

7. Raxaul 500 215 300

c) Celebration of Child Rights Day on 20th

November

Child Rights are a part of human rights. In the world, many children have survived a life of

slavery. Many children are exploited in their own house. Around the world, as many as 168 million

children are child labourers. They are able to earn some money and they do not have enough time

to go to school and improve their future prospects. There are five states which have the biggest

number of child labourers in India – Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and

48

Maharashtra. According to Save the Children survey India has 12,666,377 child labourers. In order

to promote the the dignity and well being of children on 14th

December 1954, the United Nations’

General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be

observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. The date 20

November in 1959 marks the day on which the General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the

Rights of the Child, , and also the day of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

Therefore November 20 is a very important

day for the children all over the world.

Mashal, in its units, celebrated International

Child Rights' Day with passion and

enthusiasm in 2015 and 2016. They

conducted rallies in the villages holding

banners and posters with child rights written

on them. Children shouted slogans and

protested against child labour and child

marriage. They demanded their rights for a

brighter future for themselves through

quality education. At the function at various schools they performed skits, street plays quiz

competition on child rights. The celebration was organized in the schools of the Panchayats and

many villagers participated in the celebration and came to know the Rights of Children. The

teachers and parents were very happy and enthusiastically participated with children and

appreciated the programme. The children who won the competition were given prizes.

d) Celebration of Human Rights Day on 10th

December

On 10 December 1948, by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations, the

international community declared its commitment to the inalienable rights and fundamental

freedoms of all human beings and to building a world where all people are “born free and equal in

dignity and rights”.

Violations of women’s rights have been explicitly recognized and the elimination of violence

against women remains at the forefront of the international human rights agenda. The Declaration

Data of participants in the celebration of Child Rights Day

Sl.

No.

Unit's

Name

No. of Participants in 2015 No. of Participants, 2016

1. Chenari 800 707

2. Sasaram 2243 2300

3. Piro 1296 425

4. Jamalpur 450 715

5. Sheikhpura 1100 258

6. Gahiri 1572 1800

7. Raxaul 460 817

49

on the Elimination of Violence against Women, adopted in December 1993 by India, recognizes

that violence against women violates women’s fundamental human rights and obliges states to

work towards the eradication of violence against women, both in the public and the private

spheres.

For bringing awareness among the rural population on human rights, International Human Rights

Day on 10th

December was observed by the project units of Mashal. The units observed the day

with different activities depicting the importance of protecting and promoting Human Rights to

reduce violence in the society and bring peace to the human hearts. Many villagers, young and old

participated in the functions. The children took rallies shouting slogans on human rights. There

were discussions on the issues of the rights of women and girls. For creating awareness among the

rural population leaflets, handouts and banners/postures were made on different human rights and

distributed among the people, to the block offices, schools, Panchayat Bhawans etc. At the

functions in different locations block officers, PRI Representatives, school principals, teachers,

project personnel and federation members delivered inspiring speeches and motivated the

participants to work towards promoting and protecting the human rights and thus building a

peaceful and just society.

Outcome/Impact of the Observances and Celebrations

All the celebrations were organized in each unit were for motivating the rural population,

especially women and youth to organize themselves for their rightful place in the society. The

celebrations had very positive impact on women, because most of the women were limited to

their houses and villages were out there to participate in the celebrations. Some of the CBO

women took roles in the street plays, games, folk songs and speeches. The women expressed

increase in their knowledge on their rights and responsibilities. Those women, who were

hesitant to speak two words, were now able to express their thoughts and views in public. The

women developed confidence in speaking and demanding their rights and exercising their

duties. They expressed determination to fight collectively against violence and abuse on

women and girls.

Children especially girls actively participated in all the functions with enthusiasm and interest.

They took rallies on the road wearing orange head band, holding banners and posters and

shouting slogans for their rights and entitlements and marched from their Panchayat to the their

Block office. The girls expressed confidence while presenting the on-stage programmes, and

expressing their thoughts and ideas along with improvement in the creative ideas when they

made pyramids and showed demonstrations and did role plays. They came to know how gender

discrimination exists in the society and developed ideas on how to reduce discrimination

against girls. There was also an increase in the knowledge of power of unity and organization

in promoting child rights, human rights and the importance of educating children especially

girls. Several women promised to send their daughters to school every day on time and that

they would support their girls in their education. And, several girls promised to go to school

regularly and on time to improve their studies. They also promised that they will not allow

child marriages to take place in their villages.

50

b) Quarterly Tola meetings with specific agenda

In the evaluation of the project some strategies for facing the challenges of non cooperation

and lack of interest of the male members of the rural communities for social changes were

decided upon. The team suggested to conduct tola meeting (community meeting) quarterly

with specific agenda of development in each village. In the meeting men, women and youth

would participate and discuss on the agenda. In the year 2017 and 2018 several tola meetings

were conducted and many villagers participated in the meetings. Through the tola meetings,

Mashal could make the deprived

and marginalized communities

aware of their rights, how to

access the government schemes,

and to organize themselves for

bringing development and social

change in their communities.

They were motivated to stand

together for realizing their rights.

They were also helped to

understand the Preamble of the

Indian Constitution and the importance of promoting peace and harmony in their communities

and in the society.

The men and the youth who participated in the tola meetings promised that they would support

the women and the girls in their fight against injustice and gender violence. They also said that

they will support each other and work together to bring development in their villages by

strengthening local governance (PRI) and their active participation in Gram Sabhas. There

were aware of the poor situation of the rural school system where their children get education.

They expressed their inability to better the education system because they are busy earning for

their livelihood. Mashal’s team advised them to stay united and demand good education for

their children. They asked for Mashal’s continued support in their struggle for realising their

entitlement and securing their rightful place in the society.

The following table shows the details of Tola Meeting:

Sl. No Unit Name No of Villages No. of Tola meetings

1 Sasaram 40 40

2 Chenari 40 80

3 Piro 40 74

4 Gahiri 30 30

5 Raxaul 25 39

6 Jamalpur 20 40

7 Sheikhpura 30 33

51

c) Formation of Kishori Manch (Adolescent Girls’ Groups) in the villages and monthly

meetings of the groups with specific agenda

From the year 2017, Mashal started a new programme called Ladali Ki Muskan (LKM) for

girls from 11 to 17 years old. It is a community-based programme. The main objective of

this programme is that all the girls from the

marginalized communities complete their

high school education, get access to the

government schemes and other benefits and

to become responsible citizens. Mashal

works among the deprived and

marginalized communities. Their economic

condition is poor and most of their girl

children drop out of school after primary

education. In all the villages, where, Mashal's

seven units are working, Kishori Manch

(Adolescent Groups) are formed. Each group

has 10-15 adolescent girls. The girls who

would like to join the LKM forum have to be

registered in the Kishori Manch and are given

an ID card. 2588 Adolescent girls have joined

the Kishori Manch and participate in the

monthly meeting guided by the Animators. In

the meeting, they learn basic Mathematics,

Hindi, English, and General Knowledge and

are sensitized towards their rights and the

social issues pertaining to their lives. In every

meeting they recite the Preamble of the Indian

Constitution. The girls are motivated to go to

school every day and on time. The dropout

girls are readmitted to continue their schooling.

The table shows No. of Kishori Manch and No. of girls registered in the Groups

Name of Unit No. of Village No. of Kishori Manch No of kishori (Adolescent girls)

Chenari 44 57 665

Sasaram 40 42 429

Piro 40 29 306

Jamalpur 20 16 154


Gahiri 30 30 434

Raxaul 25 25 280

Total 229 229 2588

52

11) Project Management

A. Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Documentation

a) Orientation Programme for the Project Personnel

The First orientation programme was conducted for the project personnel at Mashal’s Training

Centre, Mahila Chetna Kendra, Patna on 19-21 January 2015. The unit in-charge Sisters, unit

coordinators and animators from all seven units, and the staff from Mashal head office, all together

40 personnel, participated in this programme. The purpose of the programme was to impart a

thorough knowledge of the proposal to the implementing staff before starting of the project. Sr.

Jyotisha took an in depth analysis of the project proposal with the project personnel for them to

understand clearly the strategies and measures that had to be taken while implementing the

activities to achieve the goals of the proposed project. In the orientation, a yearly activity plan was

laid out with clear outcome indicators of each activity, time line and budget. The project personnel

were asked to prepare a quarterly plan based on the yearly plan. They also discussed and given

consensus on the modalities of monitoring, evaluation and reporting. These exercises made the

project personnel more confident for an effective implementation of the project.

The Second orientation programme was organised at Mahila Chetna Kendra on 07-09 January

2016 with input sessions on Indian Constitution and Human Rights. The resource persons were Fr.

Philip Mantra and Mr. Praveen. The sessions helped the project personnel to understand the

project implementation with a Rights Based Approach. They learned how the Constitution links

with the human rights and how to protect and promote human rights with the help of the

Constitution. The project personnel, all 40 of them, actively participated in the sessions and

increased their knowledge on Indian Constitution and Human Rights. During the sessions several

questions were raised by the participants related to human rights. Through reflective and

interactive discussions all the queries were answered. After the input sessions Sr. Jyotisha

motivated the animators and coordinators to apply

rights based approach to the project

implementation process. The project team

collectively planned for the yearly, quarterly and

monthly implementation of the activities for their

respective areas.

Third orientation programme was conducted on

18-20 January 2017 at Mahila Chetna Kendra

aimed at imparting an in depth understanding of

Rights Based Approach in Empowering Women.

The resource person for the workshop was Fr.

Jacob Peenikaparambil CMI. Fr. Jacob focused on how to work for women empowerment at the

grass root. He focused on two major issues. First the importance of Rights Based Approach in

empowering women and second the participation and the role of CBOs, Clusters and Federation in

53

the women empowerment process. He said that CBOs worked at the village level and they protect

the individual rights, Cluster works at the Panchayat level and it protect the collective rights and a

federation works at the block level and its work is to strengthen and support the clusters. He told

that in each cluster six committees will have to be formed; these six committees will advise the

group member regarding particular problems. These are Health, Education, Environment, PRI,

Government Schemes, and Vigilance Committee on Human Rights. He suggested that all unit

personnel who participated must adopt the RBA methods in their work. After the sessions by Fr.

Jacob, the participants were guided by Sr. Jyotisha for planning the yearly, quarterly and monthly

activities for the implementation at the respective project locations.

Fourth and the last Orientation Programme for the project personnel was organised at Mahila

Chetna Kendra on 21-23 March 2018 with purpose of evaluating the entire project implementation

period with a cost–effect analysis process and planning for the nine months of bridge financing

period of the project since the first phase of project was in its last stage. Sr. Jyotisha, along with all

other project personnel, made a very reflective and soul searching cost- effect analysis of the

project from January 2015 to March 2018. A power point presentation was done with the outcome

indicators of each of the objectives and its activities by the centre coordinator and the statement of

account was presented by the project accountant. The process of documentation of the project

implementation was also evaluated and suggestions were made for the completion report. For the

bridge financing period i.e. from April to December 2018 the activity plan was done by the project

personnel. The experiences, while implementing the project, shared by the project personnel added

a very positive emotional touch to the whole programme.

b) Daily Monitoring of the Field Activities

The monitoring measures were planned keeping in mind the effective accompaniment of the

project personnel with the CBO women in the villages. The animators visited daily the villages and

monitored the CBO meetings and held discussion with the women on how to access the

government schemes, how to pool collective actions against violence on women and girls and how

to improve women’s participation in the local level politics. The Animators along with CBO

leaders made plans, which were implemented in the villages of different Panchayats according to

the monthly plan by the units. After the implementation of each of the activities, the animators

conducted evaluation meetings with the CBOs to analyse the impact of the activities on them and

on the villages. They motivated the women to strengthen their solidarity in realizing their

entitlements.

c) Weekly, Monthly planning, evaluation and reporting at the unit Level

In all the units weekly and monthly meetings were conducted with the unit animators and

coordinators by the Unit In-charge Sisters for planning, evaluation and documentation of the

project activities based on the outcome indicators. The field visits were planned according to the

quarterly plan, which was given by the Centre for better implementation of the project activities. In

the monthly evaluation the project personnel shared in the group the success, failures and

54

challenges in achieving the project objectives and then they prepared remedial measures for further

implementation. The coordinators prepared the monthly activity report based on the objectives,

outcome indicators and submitted it to the unit in charge sisters and to the centre coordinator.

d) Quarterly field visit by the Centre Coordinator

The centre coordinator quarterly visited the villages and

participated in the CBO meeting and motivated the CBO

women, adolescent girls and villagers towards education

and dignity of women and girls, entitlement of their

rights, stopping the enslaving cultures by which women

are oppressed etc. The Centre coordinator held meetings

with the Unit In-charge Sisters, the unit coordinators, and

the animators in their respective units with the purpose of

guiding the unit personnel for planning, evaluation and documentation of the project

implementation. She discussed about the expected outcomes of the project with the indicators and

the remedial measures, for meeting the challenges in achieving the objectives of the project. She

helped the unit coordinators in keeping the project documentation/reports with accurate data and

brief narration based on the objectives of the project.

e) Half Yearly Progress Report Presentation cum Evaluation

A Half Yearly progress report Presentation-cum-

evaluation was organised every year at Mahila

Chetna Kendra for the purpose of presenting the

progress made in the project objectives and an

evaluation for a better implementation plan for the

next six months. The coordinators, Animators and

in-charge Sisters of all seven units actively

participated in it in all four years with enthusiasm

and interest. In the first session, the unit

coordinators presented the half yearly progress

reports every year on the basis of two quarterly

plans of the project in their respective units. They

used power point and chart papers for describing the

activities conducted and the outcome of these

activities based on the indicators of each objective.

These presentations were very useful for the project

personnel because it was a learning process for them

to know how the same activities were being conducted differently and they were encouraged to

identify and replicate the most effective process and method in achieving the project objectives.

After the unit coordinators presentation, the centre coordinator presented the complied reports of

the six months and then initiated an open discussion with guided questions for assessing the

55

progress, outcome indicators and the challenges in achieving the project objectives. This process

helped them to plan the next six months activities more effectively. It encouraged the project

personnel to do better in the future.

f) Annual Assessment

An annual assessment of the project implementation was conducted every year at Mahila Chetna

Kendra by all the unit coordinators, animators and unit in-charge Sisters. Every year for the

assessment, the unit project personnel had prepared power point presentations of the progress,

outcome, indicators for the achieved objectives and the challenges faced in achieving the project

objectives. After the presentation from each unit, the centre coordinator presented the compiled

report that focused the achievement of the objectives with indicators, the challenges faced in

achieving the objectives and the tools for effective documentation. There was open discussion

among the project personnel after the presentations of the centre and the units to identify the best

practices for replications and planning for the next year activities. The project director discussed

with the participants on how to make their work more effective and result oriented. She motivated

them to bring transformation in the society by using the Rights Based Approach to empowering

women and girls of the margin. She appreciated the hard work and commitment of the project

personnel and encouraged them to continue accompanying the CBO women in strengthening of

their federations, how to use law collectively and act towards reducing violence against women

and girls, accessing the government schemes entitled for the focus population and an active

participation in local level politics for the development of their villages.

All unit-in-charge sisters, unit coordinators, animators looked at the reports of each unit and they

themselves decided which unit had prepared good reports according to the guidelines given to

them. They evaluated the reports and documents which each unit had prepared. The best unit in

reporting and documentation was awarded with a small prize.

g) Additional visits by the Centre Co-ordinator to attend some of the planned activities

and strengthening of federation in all the units

The centre coordinator attended some activities/programmes organized by the units such as Gender

sensitization training, Gram Sabah awareness campaign, Violence against women awareness

campaign, interface meeting, International women's Day, and International Child Rights' Day,

Human Rights Day, Federation General Body meeting, Federation Governing Body meeting and

Felicitation programme for the elected PRI representatives. She also had meetings with all the

CBOs' leaders and federation members in all the seven units, for the purpose of sensitizing the

CBO women to achieve the objectives of the project.

h) Visit of the finance manager

The finance manager visited all the seven units of Mashal for the purpose of verifying the bills,

vouchers and accounts. During her visit, she found that all the units are properly using the money

56

and maintaining the accounts in accordance with the planned project budget. At the end of each

month, the bills and vouchers of each unit were given to the centre and the finance manager

prepared the account in tally and kept all the bills and vouchers in proper with all needed

documents for the purpose of auditing the project every year.

i) Visit of Mr. Hans from the Funding Agency

In October, 2016, Mr. Hans from the German Doctors visited a village named Chhoti Koilo in

Dharara block of Jamalpur unit accompanied by Sr. Jyotisha from Mashal Head Office and Sr.

Anupriya from Jamalpur unit. In the village he met some of the CBO women, federation

governing body members, and some girls, who were admitted in the school after the RTE

campaign. The Federation members welcomed Mr. Hans in a village style. During the interaction

with the women he asked many questions to them. The women replied to all his queries with

clarity and confidence. He took some photographs of the women in the village. Mr. Hans had a

meeting with the Jamalpur project personnel and inspected all the documents related to the project.

Sr. Anupriya had prepared a power point presentation on the project area, activities and process.

He was impressed by her presentation. He also met the centre coordinator and the accountant at

Mashal Head Office and inspected the documents of the projects and verified the fixed asset

purchased by the project fund. Mr. Hans was very happy with the process, progress and outcome

of the project. He appreciated the project personnel for their hard work and commitment and for

maintaining an excellent documentation of the project in details.

j) Visit of the Project Director to attend some of the planned activities carried out by all

the units

The director of the project, Sr. Jyotisha, visited all the seven units to monitor and guide the unit

personnel for effective implementation and proper reporting of the project activities. She

discussed with the project personnel on human rights-based approach in empowering women and

girls and also the basic life skills that a social worker to be developed to empower others. Chenari,

Sasaram, Shiekhpura, Raxaul, Piro, Jamalpur, and Gahiri units conducted a three-days-residential

training for the members of the federations, in which Sr. Jyotisha gave an input session on how to

strengthen Federation for collective actions for the realization of women’s entitlement. She

participated in the International Women's Day at Jamalpur, Chenari and Sasaram, mobilization

camps for Gram Sabha at Sasaram, International Girl Child Day at Gahiri and Raxaul and Child

Right’s Day at Chenari.

The project director helped the project personnel in maintaining good record/ documentation of

the project implementation by providing them the list of documents to be kept in the file of each

staff. She checked the documents of each unit according to the guide line prepared and sent from

Mashal Head Office. She guided all the project personnel to keep the records/ documents of the

project in a professional way. She believes that a good documentation brings clarity and

effectiveness in the implementation process to achieve the objectives set for the project and it helps

57

the implementing staff to understand the process and to plan and execute the activities with much

understanding and thoroughness.

k) Annual monitoring by the Mashal team

A three member team was formed for the annual evaluation of the project as per the monitoring

guide-line of project proposal. According to the plan the internal annual evaluation of the project

“Entitlement Realization of Rural Dalit Women” was done by Sr. Jessy Jacob and Sr. Deepika.

The third member, Sr. Shikha, was not available for the evaluation. The sisters visited all the seven

units namely, Pragati Rural Development Centre, Gahiri; Cheshta, Raxaul; Navjeevan

Development Centre, Sasaram; Jeevan Mashal Samiti, Chenari; Pushpa Community Development

Centre, Piro; Mahila Shikshan Kendra, Sheikhpura; and Integrated Community Empowerment

Centre, Jamalpur as per the schedule given to the units.

The Sisters-in-charge of the units, coordinators, animators and the governing body members of the

Federations of each of the units were the participants in the internal evaluation. To facilitate more

focused sharing specifically on the achievement of the objectives of the project, there were

question answer sessions, discussions and presentation sessions. The team observed that the

project team of Mashal head office and the implementing team at the units have worked together to

carry out the project activities as planned. The monitoring visits by the Project Director and the

Central Coordinator gave the units right directions regarding the process of the implementation,

the management of funds and the maintenance of documents/reports of the project. The Centre

Coordinator had visited the units regularly and helped to motivate the unit teams, accompanied the

staff to meet the local officers in time of need facilitating the smooth implementation of the

project. The team observed that on the whole, the project had given an impetus to the development

of leadership in rural Dalit women. The leaders of the Federation in all the units reported that this

project gave them very specific information about various government schemes for economic

development and the know-how of accessing them. This information enabled them to prepare their

applications systematically, approach the respective officers and avail the schemes. The internal

evaluation helped the project team to look at the process, progress, outcome and challenges of the

project implementation from a perspective of those who were not part of the project team.

l) Documentation of the project

The project implementation had an in-built documentation process. The project personnel prepared

files with profiles of their working area, focus groups, project objectives, activities and outcome

indicators. The project personnel were guided and directed in keeping good documentation files of

the project implementation process, progress and outcome with indicators and with substantial

data. The best unit documentation was awarded by the centre. Each of the implementing units

prepared monthly report of the activities with outcome indicators and sent it to the centre for

compiling the report in a quarterly basis. There were half yearly and yearly progress reports

prepared at each unit and compiled reports of all seven units at the centre. The complied reports

were presented to the project personnel for both six monthly and annual evaluation. The

documentation files were kept at the unit office and at the head office. The compiled annual report

58

was sent to the funding agency in the form of a narrative report along with the audited statement of

account as per the norms every year. At the end of the project period there was a process

documentation done with all four years compiled report with annexure for case studies on violence

against women taken up and prevented, success events of women’s collective action for realizing

their entitlement, number of government scheme availed by number of women, number of

women elected in PRI, the profile of the implementation area of the project, the financial

statement of the whole project and some photographs of the project activities of all four years. The

funding agency appreciated well the project management process, effectiveness and efficiency of

the project implementation with the documents and reports that Mashal submitted to the agency.

B. Co-operation, collaboration and net working

In the whole duration of the project, several institutions in the Block level cooperated with the

project personnel in achieving the objectives of the project. These are the Education Department,

Development Department, Police Station, Bank, Agricultural Department, Child Protection

Department, Railway Department, Janta Darbar, etc. Under the education department, Block

Education Officer (BEO) came in the interface meeting, listened to the problems of women and

solved many of their problems. Several government schools supported the CBO women for

readmission of their children to school, conducting awareness campaign with the help of the

students etc. Block Development Officer (BDO) supported the CBO women in getting the benefits

of the government schemes. To deal with the cases of violence on women and girls, the woman

police station officers guided project personnel for solving the problems of the women and they

gave the permission and supported the women for taking a public rally in protest of violence

against women. In Raxaul SSB (Seema Surksha Bal) fully supported the unit team for conducting

activities in the villages and at the unit. In Sheikhpura, NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture

and Rural Development), other national banks, and MGNREGA supported the CBO women to

start self-employment and several women started to make vermin-compost, some women bought

buffalos for raring. In Jamalpur, a CBO woman's child went missing so the Child Protection

Society, a department of the Social Welfare supported the project personnel and railway

department helped in the sticking of the poster of the missing child in each local train and railway

station to trace the child. In some panchayats PRI members and Mukhiyas were good and

cooperated with CBO women and participated in many of their activities and conducted the Gram

Sabha as scheduled. Many of the government school teachers supported the project personnel for

conducting awareness campaigns on RTE, NRHM and MGNREGA. As a whole the cooperation,

collaboration and net-working with the different departments of the service providers strengthened

the efforts of the project personnel in achieving the objectives set for the project.

12. Challenges faced while implementing the project activities

The hazardous of Climate Change like extreme heat waves in summer, flood in monsoon

curtains the mobility of the people

Village caste politics is very strong especially we witnessed this during PRI election

Not conducting Gram Sabha in every Panchayat as required by the government

90% Attendance of CBO women in Gram Sabha is still a challenge

59

There is also a shameful practice of ‘Mukhiya Pati’ by which the elected women Mukhiyas

are sidelined and made powerless by their husbands or any other male members of the

family. In many panchayats the Women Mukhiyas exist only on paper. Once elected, the

women are left being a mute spectator by their husbands or male members of the family,

who preside over meetings, take decisions, meet higher officials on their behalf.

Due to lack of livelihood options, locally, the poor people and their families migrate to

other states for work

The illiteracy of the marginalized communities creates obstacles for them to get benefits of

government schemes. They easily become prey to corruption and bribe.

Patriarchal system and ideology becomes very strong when women start to speak up and

resist against violence and abuse because of this when violence occurs against women,

many women don't take any action till they are persuaded to do so.

Lack of gender oriented development policies in Panchayat Raj Institutions

Several problems arise for school going girls during sowing, weeding and harvesting

season, because all elders go to the fields. So, girls also have to go with them or have to

take care of their younger siblings and have to do all the household work which forces

them to become school dropouts or irregular in school.

Though CBO women are aware of the consequences of child marriage, still some of the

women make their daughters leave school for child marriage.

The marginalized communities are not yet skilled enough to start income generation

activities and do linkage with market by themselves.

Interference of several Micro finance companies and Jeevika with the CBO women in the

project implementing areas.

13. Key Learning

Through the project, ‘Entitlement Realization of Rural Dalit Women’, Mashal worked for

strengthening women for the development and upliftment of the community through making

women aware of their rights, their dignity and their equal participation in the family and

society. Some of the key learning of the project implementation as follows:

It is necessary that the participation of all the people (men, women and youth) of the

community, not only women, have a part in their development, this demands for an

integrated approach for entitlement realization of the deprived people.

It is important to ensure participation of all people from the marginalized communities not

only women in local level politics (PRI)

The PRI contains the power and through it, the people can keep their demands effectively,

so strengthening PRI especially Gram Sabha is very important.

Capacity building of the whole community is necessary to access their rights and attain

their entitlement.

Capacitating the service providers at local level like school management committee,

Anganwadi workers, primary health workers etc, necessitate better service.

60

It is necessary to capacitate all the PRI elected members to carry out their responsibilities

towards development.

Sensitizing men on gender biased violence and abuse may have better result in reducing

violence against women and girls.

Focusing on human resource development at community level through skill development

of young men and women is necessary for sustainability in development

Continuous handholding is needed to break the silence of majority of women against abuse

and violence

The role of federations to develop a strong CBO net-work for tackling the issues of women

is a long process.

For reducing violence against women and strengthening women for stronger participation

in local level politics (PRI), more work on gender equality is needed and it is necessary to

break the patriarchal ideology, which exist among men and easily followed by women.

Conclusion

The project ‘Entitlement Realization of Rural Dalit Women’ was started by Mashal to promote

women leadership to help them realize their dignity and rights by capacitating 5000 women of 500

Community Based Organizations towards MDG 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower

Women, with 3 specific objectives – first, formation of Federations and Strengthening of lobbying

activities of women individually, as group, and as federation in order to get better access to

government programme; second, strengthening of women for stronger participation at local level

politics (Gram Panchayat) and the third was strengthening of women fighting against sexual abuse

and violence. To achieve these objectives, many activities were conducted in the field for CBO

women, Federation members, villagers and project personnel. Through the project, women learnt

to speak out, to take decisions, participate in local governance, and in other community

celebrations and observances. Several cases of violence and atrocities against women and girls

have come up, and through various interventions, women have taken up and solved 180 cases.

They gradually learnt and started to participate in local level governess. In 2016 Panchayati Raj

Election, 107 women were nominated from 42 Panchayats and 60 women were elected. Women

started demanding Gram Sabhas to be conducted, when Mukhiyas do not conduct the Gram Sabha.

249 girls were readmitted in schools. The CBO women started to reaching the block office to avail

their benefits and directly talking to the officers. They collectively started demanding their rights

and accessing the government schemes.

The women who are deprived, oppressed and discriminated on the basis of class, caste and gender,

now are getting empowered and fighting for their rights and dignity. During these four years,

several changes have come in the life of CBO women and their families. Even though these

changes are very few but they are a very positive symbol of change. Through the project activities

the CBO women have enhanced their capacity and confidence. Those women who were limited to

the four walls of their homes and could not speak and raise their voice for themselves and their girl

children are now slowly coming out of their homes and speaking and raising their voice for

change. They have come to know about several government schemes and legal acts through which

61

they try to realise their entitlement. Many of the families have come to know the benefits of

education and have started sending their daughters and sons to school. The villagers are aware now

about the dangers of child marriage. Many families have started sending their children for college

education and professional courses. Through the women leadership the rural population began to

realise their entitlements, but it is just the beginning. If we support them further, they will become

more empowered socially, economically and politically.

"There is no tool for

development more effective

than the empowerment of

women" Kofi Annan

62

Annexure:

Annexure 1: Data of Beneficiaries of Government Schemes

Unit wise Beneficiries of different Government Schemes

Name of the

Government

Schemes

Chenari Sasaram Piro Sheikhpura Jamalpur Gahiri Raxaul Total

Aadhar Card 700 1000 700 1000 300 700 600 5000

Aganwadi

kendar/women and

children benefits

(ICDS)

72 352 337 86 132 513 199 1691

Animal treatment

Scheme

- - - - - 12 - 12

Annapurana

Scheme

- 1 - - - 372 - 373

Antodaya Scheme - 53 - - - 65 30 148

ASHA - 304 - - - 548 104 956

Atal pension

Scheme

- - 2 - - - - 2

Balika and Balak

cycle Scheme

103 348 76 110 36 255 84 1012

Balika Smiridhi

Scheme

- - - - - 2 - 2

BPL Card - 913 589 - - - 352 1854

BPL electricity

/Rajiv Gandhi

Vidhuti Karan

Scheme

16 789 328 454 110 614 150 2461

Community hall 1 380 - 48 - 52 - 481

Dhanwantri Mobile

Chikitsa Scheme

16 7 - - - 2 28 53

Disability

certificate

1 - - - - - - 1

Disability pension

Scheme

1 2 12 12 - 164 10 201

Disability 6 11 - - - - - 17

63

Scholarship Scheme

Disability Tri-cycle 4 1 4 - - - - 9

Dress scheme 74 754 341 584 135 956 1 2845

Emergency Relief

Scheme

1 - - - 5 1 - 7

Family planning

Scheme

- 7 50 8 6 1 7 79

For dry area around

hand pump

- - - - - 49 - 49

Free Books Scheme 1 709 513 - 154 561 - 1938

Hand pump

Scheme/ Drinking

water Scheme

51 359 3 195 91 271 101 1071

Health Cards/Smart

Cards

18 606 427 420 30 401 10 1912

Immunization 35 395 67 - 96 662 151 1406

Immunization of

Adol. Girl (Sabla)

- - - - - 4 - 4

Indira Awas

Scheme

93 420 228 151 81 300 58 1331

Iron ki Goli from

Aganwadi

- - - - - 30 - 30

Jan Dhan Scheme 135 354 116 150 51 237 137 1180

Janni Shishu

Surksha Scheme

- - - 44 21 333 331 685

Janni Surksha

Scheme (1400)

34 170 88 7 50 32 58 483

Jivan Jyoti

BimaScheme

- - 28 47 30 - - 105

Kabir Antoyshti

Scheme

6 10 24 - 13 12 3 68

Kanya Surksha

Scheme

- 2 - 19 - - - 21

Kanya Vivah

Scheme

22 16 9 27 16 78 23 191

Kasturba Gandhi

vidayalay

admission

3 2 - - - 9 - 14

64

KCC (Farmer credit

Card) Scheme

1 - - - - - - 1

Kerosene oil PDS - - 662 - - - - 662

Machardani/

Kambal

- - - - 50 - - 50

Maha Dalit land

distribution Scheme

- 15 5 - 46 3 - 69

MANREGA 25 359 693 96 - 375 390 1938

MANREGA job

card

- - 140 29 249 - - 418

Medha metric

encouragement

Scheme

- - 2 - - 16 21 39

Mukh Mantri

Kaushal Vikas

yojona

- 61 2 - - - - 63

Mukhmantri Gram

Sampark

Scheme(Sadak

Scheme)

43 310 310 88 217 339 25 1332

Mukhmantri Setu

Nirman Scheme

- 53 - - - 85 - 138

Mukhyymantri

Maha Dalit Radio

Scheme

- 144 - - - 73 148 365

National Bagwani

Mission

- - - - - 1 - 1

Nawjat Shishu

Suraksha Scheme

15 - - - - - - 15

Nutritional

Rehabilitation

centre

13 - - - - 48 - 61

National food

security Mission

13 858 495 777 32 802 430 3407

Old age pension

Scheme

35 133 241 156 16 186 767

Open aganwadi

kender

5 - - - - - 89 94

PM Suarksha Bima

Scheme

31 - 3 31 130 - - 195

65

PM Gram Sadak

Scheme

- 883 482 164 - 279 - 1808

PM Vandana

Scheme/Indira

Gandhi Martav

Sahyog Scheme

6 - - - - 39 - 45

Sabla Scheme - - - - - 4 - 4

Scholarship 1 36 522 570 337 338 489 2293

Seed distribution

Scheme

47 2 18 40 126 233

Social Security

(Parivarik Labh)

1 1 1 4 7

Solar light energy 162 162

Take Home Ration

Scheme

49 2 40 25 116

Toilet Scheme 430 826 276 306 43 148 106 2135

Ujjawala Scheme

LPG

29 102 160 121 29 104 106 651

Van Poshak

Scheme

17 17

Widow pension

Scheme/ Laxmi

Bai pension

Scheme

51 260 37 56 31 118 32 585

Unit wise number of Schemes received by number of CBO women

Chenari

No of women No of Schemes

300 2

259 3

81 4

30 5

18 7

4 8

5 9

3 12

Total 700

Sheikhpura


47 3

152 4

244 5

276 6

164 7

69 8

48 9

Total 1000

66

Piro


57 6

20 7

55 8

94 9

75 10

110 11

59 12

51 13

49 14

38 15

29 16

19 17

10 18

14 19

5 20

7 21

5 22

1 23

1 24

1 25

Total 700

Sasaram


46 6

44 7

83 8

104 9

91 10

104 11

90 12

160 14

100 15

116 17

22 18

19 19

13 20

7 21

1 22

Total 1000

Gahiri


19 5

36 6

65 7

105 9

93 10

55 11

31 13

49 14

45 15

55 19

45 28

30 29

36 30

36 31

Total 700

Jamalpur


65 6

31 7

56 8

52 9

39 10

24 11

30 12

2 13

1 14

Total 300

67

Number of schemes received by number of

CBO women of all seven units

No of women (Beneficiaries) No of Scheme

316 2

397 3

328 4

324 5

570 6

387 7

312 8

408 9

347 10

293 11

273 12

96 13

279 14

198 15

29 16

135 17

32 18

88 19

18 20

14 21

6 22

1 23

1 24

1 25

45 28

30 29

36 30

36 31

Total 5000

Raxaul


16 2

91 3

95 4

31 5

90 6

45 7

45 8

49 10

91 12

12 13

20 14

15 15

Total 600

68

Annexure: 2 Case Studies & Success Events

Chenari 1. Fighting against domestic violence

Sampati Devi lives at the village of Pebandi in the Panchayat of Pebandi, Post Chenari, P.S. &

Block Chenari, and District Rohtas. Her husband's name is Jokhan Ram. She is a member of

Jeevan Mashal Prakash. This case was taken on 8/3/2016 She told that her husband always beat her

without any reason. She didn't tell any person that her husband beat her. On the occasion of

Women's day, she came to Chenari unit to celebrate this day. Lots of women came there and

everyone enjoyed and celebrated Women's day. At the same time, her husband came and suddenly

beat her. CBOs women caught him and decided to complain against him, but some CBOs women

said that he wouldn't come along. So CBOs women called the police and arrested him. Her

husband apologised to her. Then the police officer left him. Now he sends her to every meeting

and he doesn't beat her.

2. Fighting for right of widow remarriage

Dhanwati Devi is a member of Gulab, Chamali group of Jeevan Mashal Samiti; she lives at the

village of Nayakpur, post-Ugahni, Panchayat of Ugahni, Police station Chenari, Block Chenari and

district Rohtas. Dhanwati Devi was a widow. This case was taken on 1/4/2016. Her First husband

name was Vijay Shankar After the death of her husband, her brother-in-law said that he would

marry her and he would care for her and he made physical relation with her. Dhanwati Devi waited

for four years, but her brother-in-law didn't marry her. One day, she told about it in the CBO

Meeting. The CBO women went to her house and asked her brother-in-law whether he would

marry her or not; he said he would but after one month. CBO women came back, but after this

incident, he would torture her and one-day Dhanwati Devi's brother-in-law spread kerosene oil

over her and tried to burn her. Some women, who lived in her neighbourhood, saved her and all

CBO women went to the police station and filed an FIR against brother-in-law. The Police called

her brother-in-law and asked about the matter. The brother-in-law accepted his guilt and agreed to

marry her. The CBO women withdrew the FIR. Now Dhanwati Devi and her brother-in-law live

happily.

3. Fighting against domestic violence

Renu Bala lives at the village of Khdauli in the panchayat of Pebandi, Post Chenari, P.S Chenari,

Block Chenari and District Rohtas. This case was taken on 10/5/2016. She is a member of Jeevan

Mashal CBO. Her husband's name is Sanjay Ram. She told that her husband always beat her and

alleged that she is characterless. She always tried to convince him but he abused and tortured her.

One day she was very disturbed and she drunk poison. Her family came and admitted her in

Chenari hospital. 5000 rupees were expended to Renu's father and her brother beat her husband

also but her husband didn't come to meet her in hospital. After returning to the house, she said that

her CBOs member came and persuaded him. At that time he didn't say anything but one day he

again started beat her. Renu Bala said that this time she took the bamboo stick and beat him also.

Some CBOs women lived near her house, they came and supported her. Now he doesn't beat her.

He went to outside of the state for earning. Now he sends money to Renu to take care of children.

He has changed a lot.

69

4. Fighting for girl child's education

Manrawati Devi lives at the village of Pebandi in the Panchayat of Pebandi, Post and P.S. Chenari,

Block Chenari and District Rohtas. Manrawati Devi's husband's name is Harishankar Pal. This

case was taken on 10/6/2016. Manrawati is secretary of Suryamukhi, a Pebandi CBO group of

Jivan Mashal. She has four daughters. The smallest daughter is Rita. She passed matriculation and

wanted to continue her study, but Manrawati's husband didn't ready for it. Manrawati was

continuing to try to get her husband agree to it. But he didn't agree. One day Manrawati fought

with her husband and said that if he didn't give money for the admission of her daughter, she

would solicit the money from CBO women. One day, she shared her problems with CBO women.

All CBO women went to her home and they exhorted her husband. At last her husband agreed for

admission of the daughter in Class 11.


Manrawati Devi lives at the village of Pebandi in the Panchayat of Pebandi, Post and P.S. Chenari,

Block Chenari and District Rohtas. Manrawati Devi's husband's name is Harishankar Pal. This

case was taken on 6/7/2016. Manrawati Devi is a member of Jeevan Mashal Suryamukhi Samittee

pebandi. Her daughter is Gita Devi. Her daughter was married to JayPal. After some time JayPal

started to torture Gita. One day, he mixed poison in Gita's food, Gita suspected that something is

wrong and that day, Gita did not take her food. After this incident, Jay Pal accused her of stealing

and complained in the police station that she stole 1500 rupees and went to her mother's house.

Manrawati informed her CBO about this. All CBO women went to Bhabhua Court with a copy of

the complaint and gave the statement in front of the police and civil judge. After that Jay pal

apologised to Gita and her mother Manrawati that now he will never torture her.


Radhika Devi lives at the village of Keshonagar in the Panchayat of Sadokhar, Post Sadokhar, P.S.

& Chenari, Block Cheanri and District Rohtas. This case was taken up on 15/7/2016. Radhika

Devi, her husband’s name is Rajendra Prasad, She is a member of Jeevan Mashal Jyoti. Her

husband migrated out of the village for earning some money, but he didn't send money so Radhika

took the loan from her group and started a stall of fast-food in a fair and vegetable market. When

her husband came and saw her wife selling some things, he beat her. Radhika Devi told all the

matter to the CBO member, who warned her husband that if now he beats his wife, they will

complain to the police. After some time her husband got no job in Chenari, at that time, Radhika

again took the loan from CBO for setting up a stall of fruits for her husband. Now they live

happily.


Nago Devi lives at the village of Magajpura in the Panhayat of Sadokhar, Post Sadokhar, P.S &

Block Chenari and District Rohtas.She is a member of Jeevan Mashal Chetna Mahila Samittee.

Her husband's name is Aklu Prajapati. She has three daughters and three sons.This case was taken

up on 12/3/2017. Her husband often beat her without any reason. Nago Devi is an agricultural

labourer. She gets job scarcely for four to five months in a year in the field. She took a loan from

the CBO and opened a tea stall. When her husband came to know about that, he beat her very

badly. She didn't understand what she had done. Neither did she close the tea stall nor did she

accept defeat. She informed about the violent behaviour of her husband towards her in the CBO

70

meeting. All CBO members reached her home to meet her husband and intimidated him that if he

beats or tortures her, they will complain against him in the police station. Now neither her husband

beats her, nor tortures, but rather cooperates her in the tea stall. Now her tea stall is converted into

a small snack shop. Her children have begun to study and her family is happy.

8. Fighting against Exploitation by Principal

Sanyogiya Devi lives at the village of Paharpur in the Panchayat of Ugahni, Post Ugahni, P.S &

Block Chenari and District Rohtas. Her husband's name is Sipahi Ram. She is the member of

Jeevan Mashal Rani Mahila Samittee. This case was taken on 15/3/2017. Her son studied in

Rajkiya Primary School. He had completed his study and wanted his certificate for admission in

another school, but the Primary School Principal, who belonged to an upper caste (Rajput), was

not giving the certificate to him. Sanyogiya told that she and her son repeatedly went to the school

for getting the certificate, but the Principal rudely behaved with him and mentally tortured him.

One day her son came to her crying and told the whole matter to his mother Sanyogiya Devi.

Sanyogiya Devi collected the CBO women and reached the school. When the Principal saw the

crowd of women, he went to the back door. The women blocked him and asked why he did not

issue the certificate. He didn't reply and issued the certificate.


Chanda Devi lives at the village of Sadokhar in the Panchayyat of Sadokhar, Post Sadokhar, P.S.

& Block Chenari and District Rohtas. She is a member of Jeevan Mashal Deepak Mahila Samittee.

This case was taken up on 20/3/2017. She has three daughters and one son. Her husband was a

very quarrelsome person, who would beat her and her daughter without any reason and rarely give

them money for food. Chanda Devi is an agriculture labourer and works in the fields during the

farming season, but after the season is over, she would have no means of livelihood. One day she

told her husband that she wanted to open a small shop with a loan which she would borrow from

her CBO group. As soon as her husband heard about her plan to open a shop, he started beating her

very badly. In the next CBO meeting, she told about the whole matter. The CBO women went to

her house and intimidated him and told that nobody could stop Chanda Devi from opening the

shop, as they would support her. After one month, Chanda Devi opened a small shop in the

Chenari market. Slowly-slowly her shop started bringing profits. Now she is happy because her

husband also supports her.

10. Fighting against Exploitation by landowner

Punam Devi lives at the village of Pahadpur in the Panchayat of Ugahani, Post Ugahani, P.S. &

Block Chenari and District Rohtas. Her husband's name is Ram Mohan Ram, is a member of

Jeevan Mashal Rani Mahila Samittee.This case was taken up on 5/4/2017. Punam is an agriculture

labour and she does sowing, harvesting of other fields. One day, Punam Devi was sowing in a field

of an Upper caste person (Rajput). In the evening, sowing was not completed in the entire field,

but Punam's time of work was over. Punam Devi demanded her daily wage. The upper caste man

became angry with her, and abused her and told her that she would have to complete sowing the

entire field to get her daily wage otherwise he would beat her. Punam Devi came home and

collected 14-15 CBO women who took Lathis and reached his house. The Rajput man ran away

from there. After two days, he came and gave the wage of Punam Devi and Punam Devi completed

the sowing in his field.

71


Reena Devi lives at the village of Karmi in the Panchayat of Ugahni, Post Ugahni, P.S. & Block

Chenari and District Rohtas. Her husband's name is Surendar Chandarwansi. She is a member of

Jeevan Mashal Samittee. This case was taken up on 8/4/2017. Reena Devi got married with

Surendar before 13-14 years, but she didn't conceive. Even after lots of treatment and prayer but

she didn't conceive. One day her husband got angry with her and left her in her mother's house.

Reena Devi filed an FIR against her husband in the women police station at Dhiri block. The

Police station officer called her husband and tried to convince him but he didn't understand and

didn't change his behaviour so she came in the joint meeting of three CBO groups named Jeevan

Mashal Gulab, Jyoti, and Shanti Samittee. All the women decided to summon her husband. When

her husband came, the women intimidated him that if he would not take care of Reena, they would

go to the police station again. Now he doesn't say anything to Reena. Reena is happy now.

12. Fighting for justice against attempt to rape

This case came from, the village of Ramgadh in the Panchayat of Malahipur, Post Mamrejpur, P.S.

& Block Chenari and District Rohtas. Saroj Devi, Her husband's name is Lalbau and Arma Devi,

her husband's name is Bhagwan Prasad. At the village of Ramgadh, there are two CBO groups

Jeevan jyoti Mahila Samittee and Jeevan Puja Mahila Samittee. This incident was on 20/4/2017, at

that time, in all the villages, work was going on ODF, so some women were working in the Clean

our village campaign. In that work, some group's women woke up early in the morning and

guarding for ODF. One day Saroja, and Arma Devi, from Jeevan Jyoti Mahila group was on duty

for ODF when two men came and told those two women that the 'bada babu' of the police station

was calling them. The women asked why he was calling them and the men replied that he would

pay them for their works. The women again asked how many women had to come, they told only

two women had to come. The two women came with him, but after some distance, those two men

tried to tease them. One woman ran away and called the CBO women. 14-15 women came and

beat them and they were arrested by the police. After the arrest, they were sent to Sasaram jail


Asha Devi lives at the village of South Chenari in the Panchayat of Chenari, Post Chenari; P.S &

Block Chenari and Disrtict Rohtas. Her husband's name is Rajesh Ram. She is a member of Jivan

Mashal Chanda Samittee. This case was taken up on 5/11/2017. She is a very innocent and simple

woman. She lives in a joint family and works in a farming field. One day she came and started

sobbing. When CBO women asked her the reason, she told that her husband and her in-laws beat

her, she always worked with them in the farming field and after returning home they accused her

of being characterless and beat her. That day also, when she was ready for coming in CBO meeting

they again beat her. The CBO women decided to go to her house, and four and five women went

with her. They exhorted her in-laws, but they abused her in front of CBO women. CBO women

told that they were going to police station and filling the case in court and surely they would send

all of them to jail. As they came out of her house, Asha Devi's husband ran behind them and

apologized and promised never to beat her. He took Asha to the hospital and got her treated. Now

she is happy and thankful to CBO women, who supported her in times of grief.

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14. Fighting against exploitation by hospital staff and doctor

Kashmira Devi lives at Sadokhar village, Panchayat Sadokhar, Post Sadokhar, P.S. & Block

Chenari and District Rohtas.She is a member of Jeevan Mashal Jyoti group. This case was taken

on 2/1/2018. In this village four more groups of Jeevan Mashal Samti are there. Kashmira Devi is

an active member of the group. Her husband's name is Narad Ram and she has two sons and two

daughters. She works in a field. She lives in a joint family. One day she took her pregnant sister-in-

law to the government hospital (Sadar hospital, Chenari). Her sister-in-law was restless with pain,

her month was completed. She called the staff of the hospital four times, but nobody came to check

her sister-in-law. She didn’t understand what to do, so she called a CBO woman and shared all

matter on phone. All four CBO group members reached the hospital and clamoured there.

Listening to the noise, a police officer also came there because the police station is near the

hospital. The CBO women shared all the matter with the police officer. Seeing the Police officer

all staff quickly worked, and after some time her sister-in-law gave birth to a baby by normal

delivery.


Manju Devi lives at the village of Usari in the Panchayat of Akaudi, P.S & Block Mohniya and

District Rohtas. This case was taken up on 4/1/2018. Manju Devi husband's name is late Jiterndar.

Her husband was a police officer and died in an accident. So, Manju Devi got the job of her

husband. After getting the job, her brother-in-law named Manto told her that he would marry her

and after some time he got married to her with all legal documents, but after marriage, he didn't

talk to her for three years. One day she complained in the police station, but nobody came from the

police station. Manju Devi's aunt works in Jeevan Mashal Samittee, named Prabhawati. Manju

Devi met her aunty and discussed all matter. Recently Prabhawati took legal training in Patna

centre through Alka Verma Advocate of high court, Patna). So Prabhawati talked with Alka verma.

Alka Verma talked with Manju Devi and suggested some legal processes. Manju Devi did the

same as Alka Verma told. Manju Devi reached the police station with some CBO members and

again complained against her second husband and her father-in-law. The police officer came and

brought her father-in-law and second husband to the police station. Her father-in-law grovelled

that they would never misbehave with Manju Devi and to leave them. The police officer left them

after talking to Manju Devi. Now Manju Devi is living happily with her second husband.

16. Fighting against superstition to save girl

On 12/4/2018, this case came from the village of Karma in the Panchayat of Ugahni, Post Ugahni,

P.S. & Block Chenari and District Rohtas. Laxmina Devi lives at this village and she is a member

of Gulab Jivan Mashal Mahila group and Her husband's name is Biharibagi Ram. In this village

there are two other groups of Jivan Mashal, one is Jyoti and second is Shanti Jivan Mashal Mahila

group. Laxmina Devi belongs to the Dalit community and she and her husband are agriculture

labourers. She has one daughter and two sons. She is an illiterate woman and she believed in

superstition, dogmatic worship, and hypocritical saints. Many times, in the meetings there were

discussions on not being superstitious but she didn't leave her beliefs. One day suddenly her

daughter's stomach started to ache. She didn't go to the doctor's clinic rather she brought her

daughter to a saint's hut. That saint gave some ayurvedic medicines for 10 days. According to the

saint's advice, every day she brought her daughter to the saint's hut. One day, Laxmina sent her

daughter alone to the saint's hut. When saint found her daughter alone, he called her in his hut and

started to sexually abuse her. Her daughter felt uncomfortable and ran away from there and told all

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matter to her mother. Laxmina Devi immediately collected all the 3 CBO members from that

village and reached the saint's hut and beat him a lot. As soon as they stopped beating him, he ran

away from there. CBO women exhorted her again not to believe in a stranger saint and other

person and this type of treatments. They told her to bring her daughter to a doctor's clinic and get

her properly checked.


Kabutri Devi lives at the village of Singhpur in the Panchayat of Mamrejpur, P.S.Chenari, Block

Chenari and District Rohtas. She is a widow woman her husband's is Late Bhagwan Ram and she

is a member of Jeevan Mashal Samittee. This case was taken up on 20/4/2018. She has four

daughters and one son. Her husband was a ward member in this village but suddenly he died from

sickness. She got one daughter married at the village Khudnukala. Her daughter's husband always

tortured and abused her daughter. One day her husband threw her out of his house because she

couldn't conceive. He told that he would get a second marriage. In this village, there were three

other CBO groups of Jivan Mashal Mahila group. So, in a cluster meeting, she shared her

daughter's matter with other CBO members. All the women decided to talk to her husband and

convince him. One day, 9-10 CBO members reached her daughter's in-law's house. They tried to

convince her husband but he escaped from there. CBO women promised her daughter that they

would do something for her. So, they reached Mukhiya's house and told all the matter. The

Mukhiya also tried to convince him. After that he called his wife to his house but he told that he

would get a second marriage for a child. So, he gave a written promise that he would give five

thousand rupees per month to his first wife and wouldn't torture her on 20/4/2018. Now Kabutri

Devi's daughter is living with her husband and her husband has got a second marriage.


Kaushalya Devi lives at the village of Neauri in the Panchayat of Sadokhar, Post Sadokhar, P.S.

Chenari, Block Chenari and District Rohtas. She belongs to the Dalit community and is alos a

widow. Her husband's Late Jhangur Ram, is a member of Jeevan Mashal Laxmi group. This case

was taken up 26/5/2018. Kaushalya has two sons and two daughters. Before one year everything

was normal in her house because her husband was working out of the state in a company and he

was sending money for his family's livelihood but one day he died during office time in an

accident. So Kaushalya Devi got 1 Lakh rupees as compensation, but her father-in-law received

this money. When she demanded money for food and other things, her father-in-law began to beat

her. One day she was sleeping in her room with her children, when her father-in-law came and

attempted to rape her. She ran away from there and began to cry. When her neighbours CBO

members heard her voice, they reached her house and asked about her crying. She explained all the

matter. The next day, this issue was raised in the meeting with the villagers. All the villagers and

CBO member collected in one place and called her father-in-law. At first, he denied but Kaushalya

Devi's daughter explained all the matter then he accepted his guilt. So, the villager asked him to

apologise to his daughter-in-law by touching her feet and returning the money. Her father-in-law

did so and gave fifty thousand rupees immediately.

19. Fighting for rights

Panwarta Kunwar is 42 years old and widow. Her huasband's name is Late Nagina Ram. She lives

at the village of Pahadpur in the Panchayat of Ugahni, Post Pahadpur, P.S. Chenari, Block Chenari

and District Rohas. She belongs to a Dalit community. She has three daughters and one son. She is

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daily wage labourer. This case was taken up on 11/6/2018. Someday, she works in the agriculture

field and someday, she does other work for the livelihood. She is a member of Jeevan Mashal

Samittee Jagriti group. She has a BPL card and she collects ration from the ration distribution

store, but after the death of her husband, her name was erased from the BPL list. Due to this

reason, she had no opportunity to collect ration from the ration distribution store for her children.

She is an illiterate woman and so she didn't know what to do for getting her family's name included

in the ration distribution list, so one day she reached the Mukhiya's house for complaining against

the dealer, but unfortunately the Mukhiya reprimanded her and threw her out from his house. She

had no option, neither she was getting government scheme's benefits nor a regular job for

livelihood; she was not able to do anything. So, one day in the CBO meeting she shared her matter

and explained everything. CBO women decided that they would go the next day to the Mukhiya's

house. Next day as per their plan, they went together to the Mukhiya's house. When Mukhiya saw

several women collectively coming to his house, he was worried. All the women raised their voice

for including her name in the ration list. He nodded and promised that he would. Mukhiya asked

the dealer to include her name in the ration distribution list. Now she is getting ration from the

distribution shop and she is happy that all CBO women supported her in an arduous time.

20. Demanding justice and dignity

On 1/7/2018, this case came from the village of Pithianwa in the Panchayat of Devdih, Post

Chenari, P.S Chenari, Block Chenari and District Rohtash. There is a CBO group of Khushboo

Jeevan Mashal. The CBO members are very active and solve the problems themselves. Sita Devi

also lives in this village and she is twenty years old. She got married to Vikash Paswan before

seven months. Sita Devi's one hand is not able to work due to disability. Her father had told the

entire situation to her father-in-law before marriage. Her Father-in-law also told that his son's one

leg was not working properly. Everything was told by her Father-in-law. After marriage, Sita

reached her husband's house, on the same day her husband started to torture and beat her. He

always called her disabled and mentally tortured her also. One day Sita's husband beat her brutally

and told her to get out of his house. Sita was crying outside her house when a CBO woman

Premjyoti was going to the market and saw her. Premjyoti asked about her crying. Sita Devi shared

all the matter with Premjyoti. Premjyoti called all other CBO women and reached the house of

Sarpanch for demanding justice for dignity. On 1/7/2018 Sarpanch called an urgent meeting. Many

respected persons and Sarpanch, and Panchs sat together. They listen to all the matter and

considered her husband guilty. As a punishment, Sarpanch told Vikas that he had to apologize to

his wife and write a letter that he would live together happily and nobody would comment on each

other for disability. After this incident, both are living together happily. Due to the support of CBO

women, Sita Devi found her dignity and respect again.

21. Fighting against superstition and violence

This case came from the village of Sadokhar in the Panchayat Sadokhar, P.S Chenari, Block

Chenari and Distriect Rohtas. There are three CBOs of Jeevan Mashal. A member of Prakash

Mahila Samittee named Binda Devi got married with Gorakh Ram before two years. During this

year, Binda Devi didn't conceive so Gorakh Ram always tortured and threatened her of getting a

second marriage. One day Gorakh Ram brought her to a saint who demanded to meet with her

alone. Next day, Gorakh Ram again went to the saint's hut with his wife and left his wife and he

returned from there. When Binda Devi met him in his hut lonely, that rogue saint started to eve-

tease her. She left the place and ran hardly from there and reached her house and shared all the

details with her husband but he didn't believe her and instead started beating her. At that time

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Phula Devi, who is a member of the CBO, saved her. Binda shared all the matter with Phula Devi.

Phula Devi urgently called a CBO meeting of all three CBOs on 3/7/2018 and discussed on this

matter. All CBO women reached the hut of the saint collectively to beat him. The saint fled from

there. After this incident, CBO women met with the husband of Binda Devi and tried to convince

him for medical treatment. After the medical check-up, the doctor prescribed treatment to her

husband. He accepting his guilt and now he is taking medicine and living with his wife happily.

22. Fighting against Domestic violence

Renu Bala lives at the village Khdauli in the Panchayat of Pebendi, P.S Chenari, Post Pebendi,

Block Chenari and District Rohtas. Renu Devi is only thirty years old and her husband's name is

Rajesh Ram. She belongs to the Dalit community. In Khdauli village, there are three CBO groups

of Jivan Mashal Samittee and Renu is a member of the Khushboo group. She is working on a post

of Mamta worker in the health department. Mamta workers, who are health workers in maternity

wards of government hospitals, are employed on a contractual basis to take care of new-borns and

their mothers. Neither has she land nor any source of income. She was taking care of her children

with great difficulty with her income because her husband was not supporting her and he was an

alcoholic. He always beat and abused her and sometimes he sold household things and he drank.

One time she took a loan from the group and one small business was started by her husband, but

her husband drank after he sold all the vegetables. On 16/8/2018 there was nothing in the house of

Renu for cooking. Due to this reason, Renu didn't cook anything, but he demanded something for

eating. When he couldn't find anything, he beat Renu brutally and pulled her hair and told her to

get out of his house. Several villagers gathered there. That time 10-15 CBO women also reached

there. When they saw Renu in a critical condition they brought her to the hospital and got her

treated after which they reached the police station which is near the hospital and complained

against the husband of Renu. The women also called the unit coordinator and animator who

reached the police station. The police immediately acted and caught her husband and locked him in

jail. For bad behaviour, for one day he was kept in jail. The next day after paper processing he was

freed from jail. After that, he lived like a normal man and before two weeks he went out of station

for earning money.

23. Fighting against alcohol makers

This case from the village of Sadokhar, Panchayat Sadokhar, P.S Chenari, Block Chenari and

District Rohtas. In this village many villagers were making alcohol in their house stealthily and

selling it though alcohol is prohibited in Bihar since April 2016. Selling and drinking both are

crimes. For some time, there was less domestic violence due to alcohol prohibition, but it has again

started and several women faced violence from their alcoholic husbands. On 30/8/2018 in

Sadokhar village, in this village, Jivan Mashal Samittee groups are going on. They collectively

conducted a meeting and called the district counsellor and for the whole day, the meeting went on

and the district counsellor appealed that they stop making alcohol otherwise he would take strong

action against them. But the villagers ignored his warning and did not stop making alcohol. Then,

women collectively reached the police station and complained against them. The police officer

immediately reached that village and caught some villagers, who were making alcohol in their

houses and locked them in jail. Women are happy that the police supported them. They are also

happy with their collective action.

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24. Fighting for community Hall

This case came from the village of Nayakpur in the Panchayat of Malihipur, block Chenari and

District Rohtas. In this village, two CBO groups of Jeevan Mashal, Gulab and Chameli are going

on. In this village there was no community hall, so a decision was passed to build a community

hall. But, due to some mutual dispute, some powerful people did not want to build the community

hall. Many times, the CBO Women visited the block office to meet the CO during the six months

but had to return. On 14/10/2018 both the CBO groups conducted meeting together and decided to

get the tender for constructing the community hall. They reached the block to meet the CO on

26/10/2018 and shared their opinions. The CO was also fed up of the dispute so he agreed to the

idea and gave them the time for conducting the meeting. On 17/11/2018, the CO, the BDO, and the

CBO women and the villagers sat together and passed the tender to the CBO women. The CBO

women immediately got the land measured. On 3/12/2018 all construction materials were bought

and the construction of the community building was started.

25. Fighting against dowry system

Sonapati lives at the village of Pithiyawan in the Panchayat of Devdih, P.S Chenari, Block

Chenari and District Rohtas. Sonapati is a member of the Jeevan Mashal Laxmi group and her

husband's name is Laxman Yadav. Sonapati and her husband are daily wage laborers in the land of

a landlord and she has four children – two daughters and two sons. Her economic condition is not

good. Last year she got her elder daughter name Mamta married with Sunil Yadav the village

Gajaundha block Shivsagar. Because she was in bad economic condition, she couldn't give any

more dowries to her son-in-law. Due to this reason, Mamta's in-laws were torturing her. Mamta

was sad but she didn't share her situation with her parents. On 13/11/2018 she came to her mother's

house, and then that day she came in the CBO meeting with her mother and during discussion on

domestic and other types of violence, she shared her problems with the CBO members that her in-

laws and her husband always abused and beat her and sometimes they don't give her food. All

group members decided to go to the house of Mamta's in-laws. The next day, the group members

reached her husband's house in Gajaundha and tried to exhort them but they were not convinced.

When the CBO members told her in-laws that they would go to the police station and complain

against them, Mamta's in-laws rudely behaved with them and told them to get out of their house.

All CBO members reached the police station and filed an FIR against Mamta's in-laws. The police

officer immediately took action and reached the house of Mamta's in-laws and caught her husband

and her father-in-law and locked them in the police station lockup for one day and then beat them.

The next day, they apologised their guilt. The police officer told them that if they promise to bring

her daughter-in-law and let her live with them and care for her, then only would he free them.

They became ready and the next day they reached Mamta's mother's house and brought her. Now

she is happily living with her husband in his house.


Sumitra Devi lives at the village of New Hatta in the Panchayat of Chenari, P.S Chenari, Block

Chenari and District Rohtas. Sumitra Devi is a member of the Jeevan Mashal Durga group and her

husband's name is Lal Babu Sharma. She has one son and four daughters. Her family's condition

was not good. She lived in a joint family but always quarrelled with other members upon partition

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of the house, and she was tortured by her in-laws so one day her father-in-law divided the house

and the ground floor was given to Sumitra's husband, but one renter already was living on the

ground floor of the house and her father-in-law had taken the rent from the renter so he told the

renter to not leave the house. Now Sumitra had no other house so she had to rent another house.

On 25/11/2018, she shared her problem with the group's members, who decided to meet her father-

in-law so the next day they reached his house and tried to convince him but he wasn't ready to

listen to them and told them to get out of his house. So, all CBO members reached Chenari Police

station and complained against her father-in-law. The police officer immediately took action and

called her father-in-law and scolded him. After one week, the renter left her house. Now Sumitra

lives in her house and she is thankful to the CBO member and the Police officer.

27. Collectively fighting for daily wage

This case came from the village of Sadokhar, Panchayat Sadokhar P.S. Chenari, Block Rohtas. In

this village, four CBO groups Jeevan Mashal Deepak, Jeevan Mashal Jyoti, Jeevan Mashal Surya,

and Jeevan Mashal Prakash are present. All CBO women are daily wage labourers in the land of

landlords and most of the land belongs to Rajput and the women were not given their appropriate

wage so they were very frustrated. In that harvesting season, the unit coordinator and the animator

conducted a meeting together on 6/12/2018 on the agenda of appropriate wage. In this meeting,

several male villagers who are husbands of CBO women also participated and they decided that

they would not harvest paddy without getting an appropriate wage from the landlord. When the

paddy fell down in the field, they went to another village for labourers but they didn't find any

labourers in any other village. Finally, they were ready to pay appropriate wage and all CBO

women are very happy.

Sasaram

1. Fighting for dignity

Sita Devi lives at the village of Ropahatha in the Panchayat of Hathani, Post Ropahatha, P.S &

Block Nokha and District Rohtas. Sita Devi belongs to Dalit community and is the member of

CBO's Rophtha and her husband's name is Gorakh Paswan. Two men of the village, from Rajput

caste, nominated a female member of their family for Mukhiya seat. On May 14, 2016, voting was

carried out very peacefully. On 6/5/2016 she was going to the Sasaram market when on the road

Virendra Singh came and caught her hand and asked aggressively whom she gave the vote. She

asked him why he asked so. At the same time, they fought with her and abused her also. Sita Devi

shared this matter with the CBO members. CBO members and many people went to Virendar'

house but he had run away. Sita Devi complained in SC police station against Virendra Singh.


This case came from the village of Sotawan in the Panchayat of Sotawan, Post Ghosiya, P.S &

Block Nokha and District Rohtas. In this village there is a CBO member, named Sumitra Devi; she

is a member of Navjeevan group-A and her husband's name is Gupt Singh. Her husband always

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came home after drinking alcohol and quarrelled with her and he had an illegal extramarital affair

with her daughter-in-law. Due to that, he always fought with Sumitra. On 5/6/2016 she shared this

incident with CBOs members. All the CBOs member went to her home and tried to solve this

problem. One day Sumitra saw her husband with her daughter-in-law in an objectionable position,

that time she beat her husband. For some days she didn't talk to her husband. CBO members

continued to press her husband into accepting his guilt. In April 2016, the Nitish government

banned liquor. Now her family’s life will reform.


Bindu Devi lives at the village of Sisirta in the Panchayat Sisirta, Post Sisirta, P.S & Block Nokha

and District Rohtas. Bindu Devi, Husband's name is Ram Rajak, is a member of Navjeevan Mahila

health group-E, Sisrta. She is 40 years old; she has two sons and three daughters. 6 years ago, there

was no tension was in her life. She told that four years ago her husband started having a

relationship with a liquor woman seller. Her husband used to go to that woman’s shop to drink.

When Bindu demanded money for her children’s studies, he started to abuse and beat her. One day

when her younger son demanded money to buy a pen, her husband gave some money but also beat

him. When Bindu saw that her husband beat her son, she tried to save her son; her husband beat

her also so much that her body was marked black spots where she was beaten. On 18th

July 2016,

her husband beat her again without any reason. He took a big stone and threw at Bindu but she

saved herself. Her husband looked for an iron road for beating her. Bindu ran away from there and

hid near her neighbor's house. On 21st July a general meeting was conducted for a campaign of

violence against women with Unit in-charge, and unit coordinator and animator. At that time, the

Panchayat didi informed about this case. Unit in-charge and other member met Bindu and told her

to complain in the police station and get justice. All Panchayat CBO women supported her, but the

next day she went to her mother's house. After some time, her mother’s family’s members came

and left her. She was very afraid, so she called a CBO member and Sr. Suprbha. All CBO

members went to her house and emphasized to her husband with warning that if he again tortures

her, they will complain to the police. Now her husband doesn't torture her.

4. Fighting for girl child’s education

Nilam Devi lives at the village of Ropahatha in the Panchayat of hathni, Post Ropahatha, P.S. &

Block Nokha and District Rohtas.Nilam Devi belongs to UP. Her family is an educated family and

her husband's name is Satendra Paswan. She was married in a joint family. From the beginning,

many cultural rituals bounded her and family work pressurised her. She wanted to do some things,

but her family members were not ready for this. She told that her parents had never beaten her but

her husband beat her children with a stick for negligence in study and naughtiness. Her daughter

named Puja wanted to continue her studies and to go out to other places but Nilam's in-laws didn't

agree. Nilam always fought with her sister-in-laws why her daughter cannot go to other places for

studies. On 21/7/2018 she herself took the decision and she continuously argued with her husband

who tried to beat her, but she didn't change her decision and sent her daughter to Kudra where she

lives in a rented home. Puja is studying BSc and has selected the subject Maths and is continuing

her study. Now Nilam's husband doesn't beat his other children and supports Nilam.

5. Fighting against gender discrimination

Bhagwano Devi is a member of Navjeevan Mahila health and development group-c. She lives at

the village of Sisirta in the Panchayat of Sisirta, Post Sisirta, P.S & Block Nokha and District

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Rohtas and her husband's name is Shiv Kumar Sharma. She was also elected in the Panchayat

election for the post of ward member. According to project activity, the aware villagers went for

participation in Gram Sabha on the date of 15th

August. Many CBO women and other villager

women reached the Sisirta Panchayat hall for the Gram Sabha at right time. Approx. more than

100 women sat in the Panchayat hall. A person, whose name is Vakil Kahar, and nickname Sadhu

came there and told that the hall was full of women, and so where the men would sit. He rudely

told all of them to get out and sit out of the hall. CBO women became angry and at that time

Bhagawano Devi told that if women could not sit in this hall, men could also not sit there, and he

shouldn’t talk with them like that, as they too have dignity. She said that they were boycotting the

Gram Sabha. Bhagwano Devi took the microphone and started speaking loudly to tell the men to

get out of the hall. Seeing the bad situation, Mukhiya Chitranjan Tiwari told that they would

conduct the Gram Sabha out of the Panchayat hall, in a nearby ground because many people had

come for Gram Sabha and all of them are equal. Finally, Gram Sabha was conducted in open

ground.

6. Fighting against exploitation by the Headmaster

Rekha Kunwar is a member of Navjeevan Mahila Shanti group at the village of Ghosiya in the

Panchayat Ghosiya, Post Ghosiya, P.S & Block Nokha and District Rohtas and her husband's

Mahendru Sharma. This case was taken up 12//2016. She is a cook in the Middle school of

Gohsiya. In the month of December, her younger son died, who was 12 years old. She was

mourning his death and couldn't go to school for a week for cooking. After one week, when she

went to school, the Headmaster called her and told that she would not cook food and told her to get

out. When she asked why she would not cook, the headmaster abused her and did not allow her to

enter the school. She came to home and discussed all the matter with a CBO member. This CBO

member called an emergent meeting of all CBO groups of the village and all members decided that

they will go to school the next day. The next day in the morning all CBO members collectively

reached school. When Headmaster saw the unity of women, he trembled and they told the

headmaster if she would not cook food, he could also not live in that place. The headmaster

apologised for his erroneous behaviour. At that time, several villagers came here and they were

happy that all the women supported a victim woman. Now she is cooking food for children in the

school.


Rajani Devi is a member of Mahila Group-B Singwa.She lives at the village of Baradih tola in the

Panchayat of Dharampura, Post Gamhriya, P.S & Block Nokha and Distrit Rohtas and her

husband's name is Munna Sharma. She has two sons and one daughter. Her husband was an addict

of alcohol. He did not give money to his wife for cooking and always abused and beat her without

any reason and demanded money. She was very upset and lived under mental pressure. She didn't

send her children to school regularly because she had no money. She and her children both worked

in the farming field and collected the food. On 20/1/2017 Rajani shared this situation with the

CBO women. CBO women met her husband and gave the warning, after warning he started to give

money but didn't leave his bad habit of drink. After some time in Bihar, there was the prohibition

on alcohol, but he quietly bought the alcohol. However, after complete prohibition, slowly-slowly

his drinking habit was left. Now he gives money and doesn't beat Rajani. He admitted his children

in the residential school, but Rajani Devi is worried that if alcohol prohibition is removed, her

family life will get ruined again.

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Phuljharo Devi is a member of Navjeevan Mahila Krishak Heet group at the village of Mojrardh

in the Panchayat of Dharmpura, Post mujrad, P.S & Block Nokha and District Rohtas and her

husband's Kamlesh Ram. She is 35 years old. She has a daughter. Phuljharo Devi, on 4/3/2017 She

came in a meeting. That day all the women were talking about domestic violence and other

violence with animator Asha. She was also listening, then she shared her problems that her

husband also beat her, sometimes so much that she was unable to get up from the bed for three or

four days. All the CBO members went to her house and tried to convince her husband, but he

didn't understand and one day he again beat Phuljharo Devi. Then, she came to her neighbour CBO

member and started to cry, and at the same time, five CBO women caught her husband and began

to beat him. Several villagers came there and solved the situation. After this matter, her husband

doesn't beat her.


Santi Devi belongs to Navjeevan Mahila Khushboo group, at the village of Taradh in the

Panchayat of Maudiha, Post Taradh, P.S & Block Nokha, District Rohtas and her husband's name

is Gorakh Paswan. She has three daughters and two sons. Her husband is an auto driver. One year

ago, her husband had a relationship with a woman, due to which he was not giving money to Santi.

One day on 12/3/2017 in the CBO meeting Santi told all the matter, and the CBO members

decided to meet her husband. Santi Devi told that he didn't come home as he lives with the other

woman. The CBO got the address and the next day they went to the other woman’s home and

called Santi's husband and told him that he would have to give Santi alimony and improve his

relationship with Santi Devi otherwise all CBO women will go to the police station. Now he is

giving alimony, but he didn't make improve his relationship with Santi and he lives with the other

woman.

10. Fighting against domestic violence and marital rape

Mairun Bibi belongs to a Muslim family and is a member of the Navjeevan Mahila group at the

village of Kadwan in the Panchayat of Kadwan, Post Kadwan, P.S & Block Nokha and District

Rohtas and her husband's Jamalu Ansari. She is a 47 years old lady. She has two daughters and

five sons. She is a daily wage labourer and her family condition is not good so she borrows money

from the federation and CBO group for livelihood work. Her husband is an addict of alcohol. He

drank at night and tried to rape his wife. If Mairun Bibi would not obey him, he began to beat and

abuse her. At last one day on 25/3/2017, she shared her distress with the CBO women, who

reached her home and convinced her husband and warned that if he beats her, they will go to the

police station and complain against him. After being convinced by the CBO women Mairun Bibi's

husband didn't beat her and when the CBO women went to her home and asked about her, they

realised she was well. Now she comes timely in the meetings and saves money.


ShailKumari Devi belongs to Navjeevan Mahila group-B at the village of Parsiya in the Panchayat

of Nonsari in block Nokha and District Rohtas and her husband's name is Kripa Shankar. Her

husband had a sexual relationship with another woman. On 9/4/2017 Shaul Devi came to meeting

for saving money but did not stay there. When the animator asked why Shaul Devi came but didn't

stay for the meeting, then her neighbour woman told that her husband oppressed and abused her

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and if he would see her go anywhere out of the home, he beat her. Animator Asha and some CBO

women went to her home and tried to convince her husband. At that time he didn't say anything.

After one month again he beat and abused her. One day, her husband beat so much, that Shaul

Devi swallowed pesticide poison). She was admitted in the hospital. Now she was good but her

husband’s behaviour had not changed. The CBO tried to persuade Shaul Devi to complain against

her husband in the police station, but she wasn’t ready for it.

12. Fighting against domestic violence happening with an old lady

Kasturba Kunwar is a 65-year-old lady and she is a member of Navjeevan Mahila group-E at the

village of Ghosiya in the Panchayat Ghosiya, Post Ghosiya, P.S & Block Nokha, and District

Rohtas and her husband's name is Ram Vachan Ram.. She has one daughter-in-law. Her daughter-

in-law always tortured and abused her, but she didn't say anything about her daughter-in-law. One

day on 13/4/2017 in the meeting, the CBO women were discussing about types of domestic

violence. At that time Kasturba Kunwar told about how her daughter-in-law always abused her and

did not allow her to live in her own house and that she lived out of her own house and wasn’t given

food properly. Four CBO women went to Kasturba’s house and met her daughter-in-law and told

her daughter-in-law that what she does is a crime and to stop violence against her mother-in-law

and if she would again inflict violence upon her mother-in-law, they would complain in the police

station. Now when the CBO women asked Kasturba about her daughter-in-law’s behaviour, she

told that gradually she was improving her behaviour.

13. Supporting Love marriage

Sita Devi belongs to the Navjeevan Mahila group at the village of Sheikhpurwa in the Panchayat

of Kadwa, Post Jhalkhoriya, P.S & Block Nokha, Block Nokha and District Rohtas and her

husband's name is Aditya Ram. Sita Devi has three daughters and one son. Elder daughter got

married and the second daughter was studying in 9th

Class, her age was 17 years. Her affair was

going on with her sister's brother-in-law Praveen. One day she went to live with him. She lived

with him for one month out of the state and after one month Praveen came with her and left her at

her mother's house. On 18/4/2017, when she was crying, the animator and some CBO members

asked her why she was crying. She told all the matter to them. CBO women collectively discussed

on this issue and called Praveen, but he was not ready to marry her. So all CBO women

pressurized his family and called them to Kadwa. All the women and her mother discussed with

the family and finally, Praveen's parents were ready to get Praveen married with Sita's daughter.

After two days, in the temple of Tara Chandi, they were married. After marriage, the CBO women

took the signature on stamped paper that he will not beat her and will not leave her also.


Daso Devi is a member of the Navjeevan Mahila group, Kadwa. She lives in Kadwa at the village

of Kadwan in the Panchayat of Kadwan, Post Maudiha, P.S & Block Nokha, and District Rohtas

and her husband's name is Lalan Ram. She has two sons and one daughter. She belongs to a Dalit

family. She works in a farming field and she is also a daily wage labourer. Her husband was a

drugs addict. He spent all the earned money in gambling and stole all her money for gambling and

beat her for money and told that she take loans from somewhere and give to him. On 11/5/2017,

Daso Devi came in the meeting and began to weep and told all the matter about her husband and

showed her thigh, leg, and back, which had become blue due to beating. Then the CBO women

closed the meeting and went to her home with her. When her husband came to know that several

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CBO women came to meet her, he ran away. The CBO women told her not to worry as they are

with him. The next day, CBO women reached her home again. Her husband was lying on the bed.

When he saw the CBO women, he tried to run away but the women caught her and told that if he

beats her again, they would beat him and would get him arrested by the police. He apologized to

his wife and after one week he went to Delhi and sent 3000 rupees for livelihood to Daso. Daso is

happy that after the threat, her husband's behaviour changed.


Sanju Devi lives at the village of Lewada in the Panchayat of Kadwan, Post Jhalkhoriya, P.S &

Block Nokha and Disrtict Rohtas and her husband's name is Nageshwar Ram, and daughter-in-law

of Laxminya, belongs to Navjeevan Mahila group –A. On 12/5/2017 day for good governance

campaign, some CBO women went to Laxminya Devi's house to call her for the campaign.

Laxminya Devi came out from her house and told that she could not go with them. One CBO

woman asked what happened but Laxminya didn't tell, and when one woman told that she got the

smell of kerosene oil, then Laxminya Devi cried and told that her daughter-in-law had spread oil

upon her (daughter-in-law’s) body and was threatening to burn herself. All the women entered her

house, they saw that her daughter-in-law was crying, and her husband was sitting beside her. When

women asked her why she did such nonsense work, she told that her husband always beat her and

tortured her; that he had just beaten me, and that she couldn't live with him. When CBO women

asked her husband why he did so, he told that she told him that she would go out of the home with

him to the market and other places. CBO women reconciled both the persons and warned him that

if he beats his wife or tortures her, all CBO women would complain against him.

16. Supporting to stop female foeticide

Lakhmuna kunwar is the member of Navjeevan Mahila group, at the village of Dera in the

Panchayat of Sotwa, Post Sisirta, P.S & Block Nokha, District Rohtas and her husband's name is

Raksheya Ram. She got her son married some years ago. One day she came to know that her

daughter-in-law was pregnant. She took her to the doctor for check-up. She also got a sex

determination test done on her daughter-in-law's foetus. When she knew that the foetus is a female,

she told her husband and son. Lakhmuna Kunwar's husband told her that she should get the foetus

aborted. One day on 18/5/2017, she came in the meeting and after the meeting; she discussed this

matter with the CBO women. She told that her husband wanted and was pressuring her to go and

consult the doctor for the abortion of daughter-in-law's foetus after hearing all the matter, CBO

women exhorted her. Lakhmuna kunwar took good decision that she will not do as her husband

told her to.


Kalawati Kunwar is the member of Navjeevan Mahila development group-A and the village of

Charnadh in the Panchayat of Sotawan, Post Sisirta, P.S & Block Nokha, District Rohtas; her

husband's name is late mahavir Singh. Her daughter-in-law had always tortured her. Every time,

she used to abuse and beat her and didn't use to give food to her. She tolerated everything. One day

on 29/6/2017 in the organizational group member discussion about violence against women and

girl, all the members were asked that if any one of them had been tortured or been a victim of

domestic violence, to share their problem and that person would be helped. Kalawati heard this

sentence; she cried and shared her problems with CBO members. CBO members decided that they

would warn her daughter-in-law. On the second day, the animator Nilam Devi, CBO member Usha

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Devi, Shaila Devi, Sumitra Devi, Savita Devi, and Savita Devi reached Kalawati's home. CBO

member tried to explain to her daughter-in-law, but she abused her mother-in-law in front of them.

Then, the CBO president became angry with Kalawati's daughter-in-law and warned her that if she

tortured her, they would complain in the police station under the domestic violence act. Her

daughter-in-law didn't say anything after this matter to her mother-in-law, but she also got the

operation of Kalawati's eyes done, for the treatment of Cataracts.

18. Fighting against Exploitation of widow

Harkalo Devi is the member of Navjeevan Mahila group-A, at the village of Mujrad in the

Panchayat of Dharampura, Post Mojradh, P.S. & Block Nokha, District Rohtas. She is a 52-year-

old lady, her husband's name is late Narayan Ram and her livelihood work consists of beating a

drum in the village on happy occasions and festivals, due to which she gets some bread and some

money. She has two sons and two daughter-in-laws. One day on 3/7/2017 she told in a meeting

that her daughters-in-law didn't give her food and abused her also and her sons didn't say anything

to their wives. CBO women discussed about this and five women went to her home and exhorted

her daughter-in-laws. For some days they behaved politely but after some time since her husband

was no more, so they again started to misbehave with Harkalo Devi. One day she came into the

meeting and cried, all CBO members called both her daughters-in-law and warned them again not

to say anything, but the next day both the daughters-in-law abused her and she got out of the home.

She reached her daughter's house and started living with her daughter. The CBO women told that

when she comes, they would go to the police station with her and complain against her daughters-

in-law. She came but wasn't ready to go to police station, so the CBO women discussed this matter

with the Mukhiya who personally exhorted her sons but they ignored. CBO women again called

the meeting in Panchayat of all villagers, CBO women and Harkalo and her family members came

in this meeting. In this meeting, the villagers told Harkalo's sons that if they would not take care of

their mother they will not live in this village. Everyone supported this discussion. Now one by one

her sons are taking care of her and giving her food and Harkalo is getting the benefits of old

pension schemes.


Gudiya Devi lives at the village of Singwa in the Panchayat of Dharampura, Post Mojarad, P.S &

Block Nokha and District Rohtas. She has four children, and her husband’s name is Mithlesh

Baitha. She is a member of goup of Navjeevan Mahila. This case was taken up 14/7/2017. Gudiya

told in a meeting that her life was woeful because her husband always beat her without any reason.

He was an addictive of the drug. He didn't work, so sometimes the children have to sleep without

eating food. CBO member decided to warn him. One day Gudiya's husband was sitting with some

villagers, at that time the CBO members went there and gave him the example of other men who

cared for their families and asked him to take care of his too. At first he became angry, but after

some time his temper cooled down. He promised that he would never beat his wife and children

and would take care of them also, but the CBO members didn't believe Mithlesh so two or three

women went to her home frequently to investigate if everything is all right or not. Mithlesh was

worried, when he saw that the CBO women supported her. After ten days, he had completely

reformed his own life. Now he goes to work and brings money. Gudiya is now happy.

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Premjharo Devi belongs to a Dalit family; her husband's name is Shankar ram. She is the member

of Navjeevan Mahila Group-B, Lawada at the village Lawada in the Panchayat of Kadwan, Post

Jhalkhoriya, P.S & Block Nokha, and District Rohtas. She has two sons and four daughters. She

regularly came to the meeting and saved money but after four and five months she didn't come on

time or irregularly. One day on 16/7/2017 the animator reached to Lawada for conducting the CBO

meeting. When she didn't see Premjharo Devi, she asked other members why she was not coming

to the meeting, another woman told that her husband quarrelled with her. After the meeting, the

animator and two-three CBO members reached her home. They saw that Premjharo was lying

down on the bunk, her face was swollen. When she saw the animator and the CBO women she

began to cry and told that she took the loan from the Federation for some work, but after one year,

her husband didn't give her money to return the loan. When she asked him about the loan, he

started to abuse and beat her. Her house is also old and in rainy season rainwater comes in her

room. Her husband is an addict of drugs and after taking the drugs he slept for two to three days.

The CBO women threatened him that if he doesn't return the federation's money and again beats

his wife, they would complain to the police that he is an addict and beats his wife and children.

The next meeting Premjharo came in the meeting and returned the money which she took as loan

from the federation. The animator asked her how her husband behaves now, she told that now

there was the improvement in his behaviour and he gives money for house expenditures.


Bachmuna Kunwar belongs to a Dalit family. Her husband's name is Late Ramdhari. She is a

member of the Navjeevan Mahila Krishakhit group, at the village of Mujhradh in the Panchayat of

Dharmpura, Post Mujhradh, P.S & Block Nokha, and District Rohtas. This case was taken up on

9/7/2017. She has one son. She got him married. After a few months, Bachmuna's daughter-in-law

fought with her and she didn't do any household work. One day again, they quarrelled with each

other and Bachmuna's daughter-in-law attacked on Bachmuna and a big wound was formed on her

head. Bachmuna went to her sister's house. When CBO women came to know about this matter,

they reached her home and scolded her daughter-in-law and told her to call back her mother-in-

law. Bachumuna returned to her home. For few days, both lived without quarrelling but after a few

days again both fought. Bachmuna got fed up and sprayed the kerosene oil upon her and burnt

herself. When she began to burn, she cried in a painful voice. Several villagers came there and

saved her. Next day the CBO women reached her home and threatened her daughter-in-law that

they are going to the police station. Her daughter-in-law began to cry and told that now she won't

quarrel with her mother-in-law and they exhorted Bachmuna also that her daughter-in-law is

pregnant so she should take care of her. Now they live without quarrel.


Radhika Devi is a member of Navjeevan Mahila Radhika group, at the village of Gamhariya in the

Panchayat of Dharampura, Post Mujradh, P.S & Block Nokha and District Rohtas. She lives in

Gamhariya village. Her husband's name is Lakshaman Chandrvanshi. Radhika Devi has four sons

and one daughter. Her house is kuchcha and she has very less land. Radhika works in other's land

to earn money for livelihood. Before sometime, Radhika was very upset because her husband was

living with another woman in Nokha and didn't give her money for livelihood. She took care of her

children. On 13/10/2017, Radhika Devi came in the meeting and discussed all the matter. CBO

women decided to meet her husband. One day, seven-eight women went to meet her husband and

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talked with him, but he talked with CBO women very rudely so all the women beat Radhika's

husband a lot and caught him and brought him to the police station. The police officer warned him

that every month he should give money to his first wife and children for livelihood. Now he lives

with both of his wives and gives money to his first wife. Now she is happy.


Lilawati is a member of Navjeeven Mahila Sandhya group, at the village of Kaithi in the

Panchayat of Dharampura, Post Mojarad, P.S & Block Nokha and District Rohtas. This case was

taken up 9/10/2017. Her family’s condition was very bad. She had had no house for shelter. She

lived in others’ houses and earned for her family. She has three sons. She and her husband worked

hard as labourers for the studies of their sons. Now, one son works in a company in Delhi, and the

second son joined the service in group-D rank in railway. Gradually, her family condition

improved. She got her son married. After some time, her husband and her daughter-in-law started

abusing and beating her. Her daughter-in-law did not give her food and other things to use. One

day, her husband told her to get out from home. She told all the matter to her CBO members. The

CBO members went to her home and warned her husband and daughter-in-law, but after six

months they again started inflicting violence upon Lilawati. This time, CBO women warned her

son and daughter-in-law that if they again misbehave with Lilawati, they will complain against

them. Now Lilawati is getting all her necessities.

24. Fighting against violence due to birth of only female babies

Kiran Devi lives at village Hariharpur, Panchayat Ghosiya, Post Ghosiya, P.S & Block Nokha and

District Rohtas and member of Navjeevan Mahila group. Her husband's name is Arvind Chaudhry

and she has only four daughters. Her husband and her mother-in-law always tortured and beat her

due to the birth of a female baby. She did all the household work and took care of all her children.

Nobody took care of her and her children. One day on 12/1/2018, she was sitting in the meeting

very silently and was very sad. During the meeting, there were discussions on domestic violence,

Kiran began to cry and she didn't express her problems because she was crying. CBO women tried

consoling her; after some time she told that her husband and mother-in-law tortured her and

nobody cares for her children due to the birth of a female baby. Women decided that they would

meet her husband. After two days, three-four women reached her home and talked with her

husband and exhorted her husband that a woman can't decide gender to which they will birth. If

she gives birth to a female baby, then it is his fault, he should go to the hospital and ask the doctor,

and if he and his mother tortures Kiran or beat, they would complain against him and his mother.

He told that from then they would never give a chance of complaint. Now Kiran's husband doesn't

beat her and she is happy.

25. Protesting against girls' abuse

This case is from Uttkarmit Madhya Vidyalayavillage of Ghosiya, Panchayat Ghosiya, P.S. Nokha

and District Rohtas. On the day of 21 January 2018 for human chain formation to protest against

child marriage and dowry system, the teacher brought the students to the School of Thekahi

Balirampur. During the making of the chain, the principal of Uttkarmit Madhya Vidyalaya spoke

abusive words to that school's girl, which he should not have spoken. All the girls reached their

home and told about this matter. Those mothers who were members of CBO conducted the

meeting and the next day reached the school together. When they told the principal, he didn't

accept what he spoke, but girls spoke up in front of the principal; he told that perhaps he would

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have said. Then the principal apologized. The CBO women gave warning to the principal that if

he would again abuse the girls they would go to the police station. Other school teachers

appreciated this step of the CBO women. Now gradually some change has come in the Principal's

behavior.


Lalmuna Devi is a member of the Navjeevan Mahila group-c, Bhavarh. She lives at Bhavarh

village in the Panchayat of Sotwan, Post Sisrit, P.S. & Block Nokha, and District Rohtas and she

belongs to SC category. She is 52 years old and she has two boys and one girl. Her economic

condition is not good because her husband is not well and not earning anything. So Lalmuna works

in farming fields and sometimes works under MGNREGA. She got her eldest daughter and her son

married. The second son is twenty years old named Sunil and he didn't do anything. He used to

spend his whole time gambling and was vagrant. Lalmuna always tried to convince him but he was

not ready to understand his family's situation. He always demaned money from Lalmuna Devi and

if she didn't give money to him, he abused her and beat her also. Lalmuna Devi neither shared this

with the CBO group members nor told about this to any other person. One day he again came and

demanded money from Lalmuan, Lalmuna told that she didn't have money for unnecessary

expenditure. Her son became angry and beat and abused her also. On 12/4/2018 in the meeting and

during the discussion she shared the violence which she was facing and began to weep. She

showed the black spot under the eye due to the incident. CBO women immediately discussed that

they would collectively go to Lalmuna's house. After the meeting, nine CBO women went to her

house. They called Sunil who got afraid and tried to run away. All nine CBO women stood on the

Gate and caught him. They told him that he should be ashamed to beat and abuse the woman who

gave birth to him. They threatened him that if he beat or abused his mother they would complain in

Women Helpline and he would go to jail. He didn't say anything and stood there with his head

down. They asked him to apologise to his mother. Sunil apologised to Lalmuna Devi. And women

made Sunil promise that he would not gamble or beat his mother.


Gita Devi lives at the village of Hathani in the Panchayat of Hathni, Post hathni, P.S. & Block

Nokha and District Rohtas. This case was taken up 21/4/2018.Gita Devi is a member of Navjeevan

Mahila group-C, Hathni. She is forty years old. She has two sons and one daughter. She belongs to

the EBC category. Her husband's Sanjya Ram and she has a tea stall in Sasaram and his earnings

are good but Gita always lives sadly. Sometimes her neighbours asked about her sadness but she

never told them anything. One day she participated in the CBO meeting and the CBO women

discussed on different types of violence which women face. At that time, Gita shared about her

sadness and told that her husband's affair was going on with his sister-in-law and he spent all his

earnings from the tea stall on her and he didn't give money to his wife, i.e. Gita for caring for her

children or their studies. He always went to his sister-in-law's house but he didn't come here. Once

when she complained about him to her mother's house family members, he abused her and when

she again called he beat her. When all CBO women listened to her trouble, they were ready to help

her. Gita Devi told that her husband came every Sunday. So, CBO women planned that they would

also reach her house on Sunday. On Sunday, they saw that her husband was sitting outside the

door. CBO women tried to convince him and told that he was spoiling the two families, and that he

would care for his family but after some time when he would become old nobody would care for

him. There was some improvement in Sanjay but he is angry because his wife told all the matter to

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the CBO women so he gave some money to his daughter and told her to give it to her mother but

he himself is not talking to Gita Devi.


Nirmala Devi lives at the village Satarbighawan in the Panchayat of hathni, Post Barav Hathni, P.S

& Block Nokha and District Rohtas. Nirmala Devi is a member of Navjeevan Mahila Puja group-

70 Bighwa on the post of Secretary and her husband's name is Vijay Chaudhary and she is 42 years

old. She has one son and he is 25 years old. She attends the meeting continuously but her husband

and her son both torture her. Nirmal Devi lives in her mother's house and cares for her parents

because she is the only child of her parents. She helps her parent in the agricultural work also. So,

her father's one Bigha farming field is registered in her name, but her husband was a lazy man and

her son also and both were not doing work anywhere and did not support Nirmal in her registered

field. When she went to the meeting, her husband asked her where she was going, and asked her

sarcastically whether her boyfriend was calling her, and her husband abused her and told

everywhere in her society that her relationship with another man was going on. Several times she

tried to convince him but he didn't change his mind-set, sometimes his behaviour was extremely

rude and he beat her also. Her son also did not support her and take the side of her husband. Once,

Nirmala's parents tried to exhort him but he beat them also. On 7th April 2018 when she was going

to the meeting, her husband again abused her. Nirmala reached the meeting and asked to be

removed from the group. Everyone asked what happened and she shared her problem with the

CBO members who called her husband and son and asked all the matter. After listening, they told

her husband and son publicly that if they want to live in her mother's house, they would have to

work and help Nirmala and her parents otherwise both will go to their village, and both of them

would not get a single rupee from Nirmala's property, and that Nirmala would live with her parents

and she would marry someone else and that they would support her for her second marriage. Now,

when the CBO women asked about his opinion, he told that he would support and help Nirmala in

all her works – agricultural or otherwise – and would neither abuse nor beat her.


Tetra Devi lives at the village Padwa in the Panchayat of Nonsari, Post Nonsari, P.S Nokha, Block

Nokha and District Rohtas. This case was taken up on 17/5/2018. Tetra Devi belongs to the Dalit

community. She is 28 years old and has completed her primary studies and her husband's name is

Rajesh Ram and he completed the 9th class. She has three sons and one daughter. She is the

member of Navjeevan Mahila group, Padwa-A. She only has a mud house. Neither she has money

to build her paved house nor more land for earning money. Both husband & wife are daily wage

labourers in agriculture fields. Her mother-in-law Dharkshana Devi, father-in-law Ramwataar,

Sister-in-law Vimala Devi and brother-in-law, all together always tortured her. Neither had they

allowed her to cook food nor eat food when she cooked it. Always, they abused and insulted her.

Sometimes they beat her also. One day, they beat her. During this monthly meeting, she shared her

problem with the other 16 members of her CBO. All sixteen members and ward member reached

her house and convinced her in-laws and warned that if any of them would again torture and beat

her, the women would go to the police station and complain against them under the Domestic

Violence Act. After this, nobody among her in-laws told her anything or tortured her.

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Panchratana Devi belongs to the EBC community and she is a 55 years old lady. She lives at the

village of Ghosiya in the Panchayat of Ghosiya, Post Ghosiya, P.S. Nokha, Block Nokha and

District Rohtas. She is a very simple woman and has two sons. One son is 27 years old and one is

19 years old. Her husband's name is Jai Ram Sharma. She got her elder son married before one

year. Panchratana is a calm lady, but after her son's marriage, her daughter-in-law began to torture

her. After her sons left, she started to abuse her and sometimes she didn't give her food. Panchratna

didn't share this matter with any person thinking of what they would say. But on 15/5/2018, some

CBO women guessed that something was wrong so they asked about her sadness. Panchratana

started to cry and shared the matter with the CBO women who decided to go to her house. When

her daughter-in-law saw the CBO women with her mother-in-law, she started abusing all of the

women. The CBO women tried to convince her but in vain. CBO women returned. After that, she

abused Panchratana Devi. The next day, early morning all CBO women went to her house when

her son was also in the house. One CBO women told that they were going to the police station with

Panchratana to testify against her daughter-in-law. Panchratana Devi's son requested them not to

go to the police station, and that he would see that she would not fight with and abuse his mother.

He told his wife to apologise to his mother. Panchratana Devi's daughter-in-law apologised to her.

Afterward, her daughter-in-law doesn't abuse or fight with her.

31. Fighting against social violence

Chhathiya Devi lives at the village of Mujradh in the Panchayat of Dhrampura, Post Mujradh, P.S.

Nokha, Block Nokha and District Rohtas. She belongs to Dalit community and her husband's name

is Vimun Ram. She is 50 years old. She was elected in PRI, 2016 on the post of Panch. She has

four daughters and two sons. Her all daughters got married. She has no land for livelihood so she

and her husband both do agriculture work. This case was taken up on 20/5/2018. Chhathiya Devi is

a very active woman. After the PRI election, she solved five-six problems in her ward. During this

time, Bihar government launched Seven Nishchay yojana. Under this yojana, one objective was to

get all village roads and drainage paved. So her ward also got the fund for this, but the Mukhiya

and ward member wanted to get their house's street and drainage paved. When this news reached

Chhathiya Devi, she went to the ward member's house with five-six women to ask about it. The

Ward member abused and threw her out of his house. Chhathiya Devi asked all the women to sign

on a page as they would meet the BDO. Women asked if they were beaten, what they would do.

Chhathiya Devi told that she would be in front. Next day all the women along with Chhathiya Devi

reached the block office to complain against the Mukhiya and the ward member. When this news

reached the BDO Dharmendra Singh, he called Mukhiya Ashraf Ali who reached the block office.

BDO asked him if it was correct that he got his house's road and drainage paved with the money

provided for another street and drainage. Mukhiya denied. Chhathiya Devi requested the BDO to

check the file. When he saw the file, he saw that the money was for Ward no-7Mukhiya didn't say

anything and returned. Women were very happy as the case had been in their favour. Now, this

case was not big but was very important. Now at this time in Ward no-7, roads and drainage have

been paved. All the women are happy and thankful to Chatthiya Devi.


Kamla Devi belongs to the EBC community and she lives at the village of Singhawa in the

Panchayat of Dhrampura, Post Mojradh, P.S Nokha, Block Nokha and District Rohtas. She is 48

years old but she is illiterate and her husband's name is Kameshwar Sharma. Her husband has done

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matriculation so he works in a shoe factory in Delhi. She has three sons and one daughter. All the

children's studies are going on. Before one year, husband & wife were living together very happily

but during those days he behaved rudely with his wife because he came to the house after a long

leave. When Kamla went anywhere, he put restrictions on her. She gave everything in his hand;

yet, he tortured her and abused her also. One day she shared this matter with the CBO women on

2/4/2018 in the meeting. The CBO women met her husband and exhorted him but he didn't

understand. One day she was going to eat poison out of depression, but fortunately, her small son

came home and saved her life. Several women collected in her house and told her husband that if

something happens to her, he would be responsible. Kameshwar Sharma spoke sadly, that from

then he would never torture her. Now they are living happily. Kameshwar went to Delhi for his

job.

33. Fighting for right of widow remarriage

Rita Devi is a member of Navjeevan Development CBO, Parsiya and her husband's name is Sukhri

Ram. She lives at the village of Parsiya in the Panchayat of Nonsari, Post Nonsari, P.S & Block

Nokha and District Rohtas. This case was taken up on 10/6/2018. Rita Devi has two sons. She

belongs to the Dalit community. She and her husband both are illiterate. They have no land and

only one house, and this house is for a joint family. Rita Devi and her husband both is daily wage

labourer in the land of a landlord. Before nine months, her husband got ill. Rita took some loan for

her husband's treatment but the treatment did not benefit him. Her in-laws didn't support her but

her one elder brother-in-law supported her during her worst time and he was a widower. Her

husband passed away. After some time, her in-laws tortured her and abused her also. Often her

brother-in-law came to her house so due to this reason also they tortured her more. Rita shared this

matter with CBO members who tried to convince her in-law, but in vain. One day her brother-in-

law came to her house, at that time her sister-in-law started abusing her. Some CBO members, who

lived near her house, also came. Several villagers also came there, at that time her brother-in-law

said," I wanted to marry Rita", but her in-laws got angry with him. At that time, the CBO women

saved her and they said," We will support him in getting married to Rita. Here nobody cares for

her and her children and he is also a widower." After 2-3 days, Rita got married with her brother-

in-law. Now she is happily living with her second husband.


Basanti Devi is the member of Navjeevan Mahila group, Sisirta and her husband'd name is Rajdev

Rajwar. She lives at the village of Sisirta in the Panchayat of Sisirta, Post Sisirta, P.S. & Block

Nokha and District Rohtas. She belongs to a middle family. Her husband is a confectioner and,

she has one son and two daughters. Her both daughters are members of the Ladali Ki Muskan

Manch. Basanti Devi is only thirty-five years old and she has no land, she took care of her children

and whole household work also because her husband didn't care for his family. Often, he lived out

of the village due to his job. He was addicted to kaif. When he would come home after taking kaif,

he abused and beat Basanti and his daughter. If her mother-in-law and other people reached her

home to save them, he would beat and abuse them too. Bhagwano Devi is the leader of that group

in which she is a member. Bhagwano Devi 2-3 times exhorted her husband but his behaviour didn't

change; rather his behaviour became more brutal. One day on 6/6/2018 cluster meeting was

conducted for each CBO member of Sisirta Panchayat who came for this meeting and gathered in

one place. Bhagwano Devi reached Basanti Devi's house for calling her to the meeting; she saw

her husband abusing her. Bhagwano Devi objected to him, but he abused her also. Bhagwano Devi

reached that place, where meeting was to be conducted. She shared this matter with other members

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who had reached. Eight to ten women collectively reached Basanti Devi' house and pulled Basanti

Devi's hand and said," Let's go to complain in the police station," and came out from her house.

Basanti Devi was crying. Her husband also came out from his house and said, "Don't go to the

police station." He knew if they would reach the police station, the police would arrest him for

taking kaif also. He told sorry to his wife and promised that he would never do that again. CBO

women told that if he would again beat his wife, they would go to the police station.


Usha Devi lives at the village of Charnadh in the Panchayat of Sotwan, Post Sisrit, P.S. Nokha,

Block Nokha and District Rohtas. She belongs to the EBC community and she is a member of the

Navjeevan Mahila group-A Charnadh and her husband's name is Surendar Thakur. This case was

taken up on 6/7/2018. Usha Devi has one son named Chandan Kumar and she got him married.

She has two paved houses but no land for farming. Her husband is a barber and he cut the hair of

people sitting on the side of the main road. Usha Devi also worked on the land of the landlord as a

daily wage labourer. Before six months she was paralyzed and one side of her body was unable to

work. Treatment was going on and her husband cared to her, but her daughter-in-law didn't like her

and often she didn't give food to her. When her husband came in the evening and asked for lunch,

Usha Devi began to cry and he went for some food for Usha Devi but he couldn't find anything

cooked. Her husband many times complained to his son against his wife but he neither listen and

nor care about it. Slowly-slowly Usha Devi became weak. One day, Punam Devi went to meet her,

who is also a member of that group. She was shocked to see her and talked about her treatment.

Usha Devi began to cry. She shared her pain with Punam. Punam tried to convince her daughter-

in-law, but who became angry with Punam and talked to her loudly. Punam returned and called all

the CBO women to her house and discussed this occurrence. All CBO women reached the house of

Usha Devi to meet her son and scolded him. They said, "Shame upon you, your mother took care

of you for your whole life and today she is sick and you ignore her and your wife doesn't give food

to her." That time her son realized and apologized for his behaviour and promised CBO women

that he will himself take care of his mother. Now her son and her husband are daily caring for her.


Dharmshila Devi is a member of the Puja group of Navjeevan Development Mahila Group and

her husband's name is Lalak Chero. She lives at the village of Satrvighwan in the Panchayat of

South Barawn, Post Barawn, P.S & Block Nokha and District Rohtas. This case was taken up on

13/8/2018. She has one daughter and one son. Her economic condition was not good because her

husband didn't want to work. She is a daily wage labourer in the land of a landlord. She sows

weeds and harvests with her daughter and she earned money for livelihood with difficulty. But she

saved a little money for future problems. One day her husband broke the lock of the box and took

all the three thousand rupees she had saved, and ran away and gambled all the money. When he

came Dharmshila asked about the money, he became angry with her and beat her also. Dharmshila

was crying when at that time one CBO member came and asked about the reason of her crying.

She shared all the matter. All CBO women collectively decided to ask him. In the evening when he

came, all the women caught him and asked about the money. He abused them, and then all the

women started to beat him. After that, he started to threaten his wife that he would commit suicide

by getting cut under the train wheels. Dharmshila again discussed this matter with the CBO

women who again caught him and laid him down on the track and started to tie him. He started to

cry and said," I will neither beat my wife nor steal her money." He apologized to all CBO women

and his wife.

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37. Fighting against Social Violence

This case came from Sotawan village in the Panchayat of Sotawan, Post Tendua, P.S. Nokha,

Block Nokha and District Rohtas. Sita Devi is a member of Navjeevan Mahila group-B, Sotawan

and her husband's name is Shankar Ram. She is also the president of this group and is managing

the CBO group in a very systematic way, and fights for her and others' respect and dignity. One

day, a man who also belongs to her community blocked the street. Shankar Ram and Sita Devi

asked him why he had blocked the street. He told them that the street was made on his land, so he

blocked it. He quarreled with them. On 24/11/2018, some members of his community called

Shankar Ram and beat him, due to which he was wounded on the head. When Sita Devi came to

know, she called all her CBO group members and reached the Nokha Police station and filed an

FIR against that person, who beat her husband. When that man came to know that Sita Devi

complained against him, he came to her house and demanded a compromising and promised to

unblock the street. But Sita Devi and the CBO women didn't compromise with him. The next day,

the police came to arrest him. He ran away from the village.


This case came from the Satarvigha village in the Panchayat of Dakshin Barahon, Post Khairadih,

P.S Nokha, and District Rohtas. Sangita Devi is a member of Navjeevan Mahila group and she is

the president of this group and her husband's name is Rajesh Chaudhary. Sangita Devi lives in a

joint family. One day on 10/12/2018, she got sick so her husband bought some medicine from the

market without consulting the doctor. After taking the medicine, Sangita's body started etching and

red spots appeared on the whole body. When she told her mother-in-law and her husband to

change the medicine, they told her that a witch had possessed her and for that, they would call an

exorcist and went to the market for bringing him. Sangita's health started to deteriorate. On the

same day, an animator reached that village for a meeting at 11:00 clock, so he went to her house

because she was the president of the group. When the animator saw that she was groaning on the

bed, Sangita shared her situation with her. She immediately called an auto rickshaw and brought

her to the hospital. As soon as she was laid on the bed, she became unconscious. The doctor came

and started treating her. The animator called her husband and some CBO members also there. Her

husband and her mother-in-law reached the hospital. The animator scolded her husband that he

shouldn't believe in such superstitions and if something had happened to her who would care for

their children. Her husband felt guilty and apologized. As soon as Sangita came to her senses, she

told the animator that she had saved her life. The animator told everyone to promise never to

believe in superstitions and not to buy medicine without consulting a doctor.

Piro:

1. Supporting to save girl

This case came from the village of Dahnauti in the Panchayat of Nagari, Post Dahnauti, P.S &

Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. On 22/01/2016 Shobha Kumari went to home from the

school (Pushpa High School) afternoon at 2:30 pm. In between a car came near her and 5 men

sitting in the car told her that they would drop her at her home, but Shobha didn't accept the offer

and she overtook the car. Again Car came near her and both men made her sit forcefully in the car.

They showed her the gun and told her that if she shouted, they would shoot her. Near the railway

station, a man came down and asked the time table of a train. After some time, a train came and

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they told her to come with them on the train. In the train, all five men spread in the train. No one

was with her. She was afraid. One man who was travelling on the train and he asked where she

was going because he felt that she was afraid. Shobha was crying and told everything. Shobha told

him her family's phone number and that man called her family. After this, the Railway police took

her under the custody. Lalita Devi and her husband Vinod Ram was very afraid and she was very

nervous so the CBO women supported her and reached the police station with her and told all

matter about her daughter being kidnapped and the phone call. The Police suggested to her that

they should go to Lucknow and meet the Railway police. The second day, Shobha's family and the

two CBO women reached Lucknow and brought her back.


Kamla Devi lives at the village of Madariyan, in the Panchayat of Pasaur, Post Lilari, P.S & Block

Charpokhari and District Bhojpur and her husband's name is Ramdhar Ram. She belongs to

Champa CBO. This case was taken up on 16/3/2017. She had married her daughter to Upendar

Kumar 4 years ago. After marriage, her daughter was tortured by her parents-in-law. They beat her

and abused her. Her husband didn't say anything and supported his parents. One day she (the

daughter) was beaten by the in-laws. She told all the matter her mother. Her mother called the in-

laws and reprimanded them that if they didn't rectify themselves, she would complain to the police

and lots of CBO women were eyewitnesses. If they couldn't care for her in the right manner, then

they should return her daughter to her. After this reprimand, her daughter's in-laws never tortured

her.

3. Protesting against child marriage

Sundara Devi lives at the village of Repura in the Panchayat of Koyal, Post Nagari, P.S. & Block

Charpokhari, Nagri and District Bhojpur and she is a member of Knachan CBO group and her

husband's name is Wakil Singh. This case started from 9 April 2016 in CBO meeting. On this day

CBO meeting was conducted in Repura village, but Sundara Devi didn't come so secretary Ram

Kumari informed her and called her. When Sundara Devi came, she told that some guests came

regarding her daughter's marriage. One CBO woman asked the age of her daughter, she told that

her daughter was then sixteen years old. The animator was also there so she told it was wrong to

decide the marriage of her daughter. Now some women supported Sudara Devi and some

supported the animator. The animator explained Sundara and her supporters why marriage should

not happen in the early years and she told Sundara that if she would get her daughter married, they

would complain against her. After some time Sundara got ready to not get her daughter married.

Some CBO women went to her home with Sundara and talked and exhorted her husband and other

family member and pressurized them that her daughter is minor and that when she would be adult

or 18 years then they can get her married. Sundara Devi promised that she would get her married

after eighteen years. After that day, CBO women often ask her about her daughter. She didn't fix

her daughter's marriage this year.

4. Fighting against Social violence

Lalita lives at the village of Dhnauti in the Panchayat of Nagari, P.S & Block charpokhari and

District Bhojpur. She is the member of Aadrsh CBO, Dhanauti and her husband's name is Late

Vinod Ram.This case was taken up on 20/4/2016. A man named Bhuar Ram, who lived in her

village and in the neighbourhood of her house, would abuse her. Lalita Devi and her married

daughters told him to go away from there. At that time he went, but after some time he came back

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and beat Lalita and her family members. Her daughter was injured the most. She fainted. Some

villagers took her to Charpokhri PHC. The Doctor said that without FIR, they wouldn't treat her.

Lalita Kunwar reached the police station but the police didn't file an FIR. Lalita got her daughter

treated in a private hospital. In the morning, this news reached the principal of mission school, she

told the unit in-charge. The unit in-charge and all unit staff reached the police station for the

complaint and an FIR, but Bhuar Ram had filed an FIR before that Lalita's family had beaten him.

This issue was taken up in a cluster meeting. All members said that they are with Lalita. Police

filed the FIR. When this news reached Bhuar Ram, he told the CBO members to withdraw the FIR

but CBO member didn't agree. After some time, Lalita reached the district hospital with her

injured daughter. After the treatment, they came to know that her daughter would never get

pregnant due to injury. The case is continuing.


Rajdhani Devi, husband’s name Lalmohar Mahtoo, belongs to Shakti CBO at village of Nagri in

the Panchayat of Nagari, Block Charpokhri, Post Nagari, P.S & Block Charpokhari and District

Bhojpur.This case was taken up on 5/5/2016. Rajdhani Devi is the treasurer of Shakti CBO, but her

husband always beat and tortured her whenever she went anywhere and to any meeting. She

always had come to meetings without informing husband because she was afraid of him. One

month, the meeting was conducted but Rajdhani Devi didn't come, and again the next month she

wasn't present in the meeting, then one woman went to her home, she came and told that her

husband was not giving permission to her. Animator Virandra and all CBO women planned for the

next meeting that all the women would go to her house and convince her husband. In the next

month, all the women went to her home and asked a question from her husband like why he didn't

allow her to go in the meeting? Her husband told that she went to the meeting and complained

against him. So she would not attend the meeting. The women tried to convince her husband but he

didn't agree. Then, the women told her husband that he could also come into the meeting and

observed what they did in the meeting and support them also to improve their CBO. After some

time, he felt embarrassed. So, now Rajdhani Devi never is absent from the meeting. Sometimes the

women have conducted the meeting at her house.


This incident was happened on 11/6/2016 at the village of Harpur in the Panchayat Mukundpur,

Post Nagarawn, P.S & Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. Animator Ranjita and her

husband's name is Rakesh Raushan, works in Mashal and she works in the field with CBO women.

She got the form for some women for government programs. Lots of time she and applicants went

to the block for this work, but block staff didn't take the form. Ranjita and applicants went to the

BDO for complaint. But BDO reacted on Ranjita and abused the women, and asked for her ID

proof that she worked with Mashal. This hurt Ranjita and other applicants. They called the 70-80

CBO women and collectively demanded that BDO should apologise. The media, and all Mashal

staff and lots of villagers came there. After some time BDO apologised to Ranjita and applicants

and took the application and form.


Ramawati Devi, husband's name is Vinod Mahto belong to Radhika CBO group, at the village of

Pasaur in the Panchayat of Pasaur, Post Pasaur, P.S & Block-Chrpokhari and District-Bhojpur.

This case was taken up on 20/5/2016. She has two sons and one daughter. She has been living with

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her husband for 14 years. After one year, she was tortured by her husband. He always abused and

beat her. She sells vegetables with her son. Due to her, her son could not pay attention to his

studies. Her husband didn't give her money and he didn't want her to work. She joined the group

and continues to come in the CBO. One day her husband beat her. He caught her hair and pushed

her onto the floor. At the time she held a ladle. She attacked on her husband's face. Her husband's

lip got cut, after this incident, all family members and villagers came and took her husband for

treatment. Ramawati reprimanded her husband that now if he would abuse and beat her then she

would also beat him. After this situation, he never beat her.

8. Fighting for rights for old women

An Old woman member of Kamal group, Name is Tara Muni Kunwar and her husband's name is

late Ramchandar Ram. She lives at the village She is a widow. She lives at the village of Madariya

in the Panchayat of Pasaur, Post Lilari, P.S. & Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. She has

two sons and two daughters-in-law. Every day her sons and daughters-in-law abused her. On

25/05/2016 her sons stopped giving food to her. Tara Muni shared this problem with CBO

members. All CBO women reached her house and called her all family members (sons and

daughter-in-law) and warned them that now if they do not care for her properly, and torture her,

they would go to the police station and complain against all of them. They would take the support

of the court for her right and dignity. Each son would have to give food and lodging to her monthly

and has to give her whatever she will require. Now in present her sons give and take care of her.

9. Fighting against social violence

Lalita Kunwar was married at Gothula village in the block of Sandesh. After the death of her

husband, she is living in the village of Harpur in the Panchayat of Mukundpur, Post Nagarrawn,

P.S & Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur in her maternal home. She goes to her in-laws’

home sometimes. The Mukhiya of Gothula village supported her in getting the benefits of the

government schemes. Due to her fortunate situation her neighbours Dhanichhan Yadav, Jhaman

Yadav, and Savrupr Yadav begrudged her, because that they wanted to kick her out from the

village and capture her land and property. Due to this reason, they blamed on her that she took

15000 rupee for passing the Indira Awas colony and his colony hadn't been passed, so Lalita

kunwar should return his money. They threatened her that they would kill her children and her also

they abused her. One day on 27/7/2016, she told this matter to the animator of Piro. Animator took

the support of the organization and the CBO members complained about it in the women police

station. A notice was sent to all Yadav's house, who were involved in this matter, but they didn't

come to the police station. After much effort, they were presented in the police station. Lalita

kunwar had also come there. Those men had no evidence for their allegation, so the police officer

told those men that if they tortured her the next time, they would have to go to jail. The police

officer took a written promise letter from to those Yadavs.


Punam Devi lives at the village of Bhairodhi in the Panchayat of Malaur, Post Malaur, P.S. &

Block Charpokhri and District Bhojpur. On 13/0/2016, the CBO members came to know from a

meeting that Poonam Devi, who belongs to the Prakash group, was hit by her husband with a

bamboo stick the previous night. Due to the beating, she became unconscious and her hands and

legs swelled. Her twelve-year daughter ran out of from her home and cried that her father has

murdered her mother. Her neighbours gathered and poured a little water upon her, after which she

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became conscious. After hearing this news, all CBO members reached her house, but Poonam

Devi was not there, as she was living her neighbour's house. Some women brought her to her

house and called her husband. After hearing all the matter, it was concluded that her husband was

guilty, till now her husband was using her as an object. All the women warned her husband that if

he beats her, they would send him to jail. After that, her husband apologised to his wife and

assured all the women that he would never hit and abuse his wife.


Sita Devi belongs to Parvati CBO and Phulpatiya Devi belongs to Asha CBO at Harpur village in

the Panchayat of Mukundpur, Post Nagari, P.S & Block Charpokhori and District Bhojpur. This

case was taken up on 27/9/2016. Phulpatiya Devi is the mother-in-law of Sita Devi. One day due to

some reason, they had a quarrelled with their neighbours. During this quarrel, Phulpatiya Devi’s

husband’s hand got a deep wound. Other family members of Phulpatiya also got injured in this

quarrel because the neighbours’ family members were more in number. After this quarrel, the

neighbours went to the police station and got written a false complaint against Phulpatiya’s family.

A policeman came to Phulpatiya Devi’s house and gave the message of summon from the police

officer that he called her family. This news, Phulpatiya told the CBO members. Asha and Parvati

CBO women collectively conducted the meeting for this reason. All CBO women took the

decision that they would support Phulpatiya Devi against injustice. When the policeman came

again, then all the CBO women surrounded him from all side and told that before he arrested her

family he would have to arrest them because her neighbours had put false allegations upon her

family. After pressurising of the CBO women, the Thana in-charge himself came there and

investigated all the matter related to this case. On the third day, the thana- in-charge called both the

families and got written a compromise letter by the complainer and warned that if he again falsely

complains, he could go to jail.

12. Fighting for justice against Child Rape

Sursati Devi, husband's name is Chandan Ram, lives at the Dalit tola in the village of Pasaur in the

Panchayat of Pasaur, Post Lilari, P.S. & Block Charpokhari and District. This incident happened

on 10/11/ 2016, when in the villages were going for harvesting. Sursati Devi’s daughter, whose

age was 11 years old, she was in the house. At that time her 45-year old neighbour Babu Ram

came to her house and lured her on the pretext of buying chocolate and then raped her. When her

daughter opposed him, he beat her and told that if she shouted, he would kill her. Due to the

incident, Sursati Devi' daughter became unconscious. Some people saw her in this situation and

informed her family members. Her mother’s CBO members are of Jai Laxmi group. All the CBO

members searched and beat him and called the police and complained against him, police took

Sursati Devi’s daughter to the hospital for medical check-up. After the proof that she had been

raped, Babu Ram was sent to jail, but this accident stopped the education of girl, but the CBO

member convinced Sursati Devi's family. Now, her daughter is going to school.


Usha Devi lives at the village of Jaitpura, Panchayat of Mukundpur, Post Thakuri, P.S. & Block

Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. Her husband’s name is Gopal Ram, belongs to the village

Jaitpura CBO Pawan. One day on 31/11/2016, she came late in the meeting and started crying. She

told that her husband always beat her for small mistakes and neither did he allow her to go

anywhere out of the home nor talk to any person. Then all CBO women, who had come to the

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meeting, went to Usha’s house to meet her husband. That time her husband was sitting in his room.

All CBO women called him outside of the room and gave him detailed information about domestic

violence and warned her husband that if he again tortured her, they would complain to the police.

After that case, Usha Devi comes in meeting every month and she is happy.

14. Fighting against domestic Violence

Marachho Devi belongs to Kanchan CBO at the village of Repura in Panchayat of Koil, Post

Nagari, P.S. & Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. She is the Secretary of Prakash Mahila

federation body member too and her husband's name is Lalji Sah. This case was taken up on

2/2/2017. Her daughter got married with Vinod Kumar at Narayan village. Her in-laws’ family

members started beating and torturing her daughter after two years of marriage. One day she was

beaten by so badly by her in-laws. Her daughter called her mother. Then, Marachho Devi went to

her home with some CBO members and picked up her daughter and went to a nearby police station

and complained against her in-laws. The police officer called her in-laws and her husband also

asked about all the matter. Her in-laws’ family apologised. Then, a police officer wrote an

agreement letter and gave the warning to her in-laws that if they again beat her, they would go to

jail. After this matter, Marachho Devi brought her daughter to her house, after two days her

daughter's husband came and brought her very respectfully and promises that she will not suffer

again any similar violence. Now she lives happily.


Lalita Devi is a member of the Jyoti group, at the village of Lilari in the Panchayat of Pasaur, Post

Lilari, P.S.& Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. Lalita Devi’s husband's name is Jagernath

Paswan. This case was taken up on 27/2/2017. Jagernath Paswan is a house builder. He was

building the house of Ram Singh at the village of Madi, Panchayat of Thakuri. During the

working, he fell ill so he couldn't go to work for 4 and 5 days. After five days Ram Singh, Kamata

Singh, Chalku Singh father of Ram Singh and three and four-person came to Lalita's house and

started beating and dragging her husband on the road. When she saw, she ran for help for her

husband, but the people also beat her, nobody came to help because all of them had bludgeons.

During the beating of Lalita Devi with the bludgeon, Jagernath ran from there and saved his life.

Both husband and wife reached the government hospital and sought treatment. After seeing their

situation, the doctor suggested that they should complain against those people. They reached the

police station and complained under the SC/ST act. After one week, the DSP came for

investigation and called some witnesses. After two months 4/4/2017 DSP filled the case under the

SC/ST act. At that time all CBO members of Jyoti group became the witnesses and supported her.

Now the case is going on and financial compensation was provided. After one year lalita Devi

found 60,000 rupees as compensation.


Chiraiya Devi lives at village Pasaur in the Panchayat of Pasaur, Post Pasur, P.S. & Block

Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. Her husband’s name is Late Gauri Ram, belongs to Jai Laxmi

CBO. This case was taken up on 33/2/2017. One day she came in the CBO meeting and began to

cry and told that she has two sons and both are married. She has only two mud rooms on a small

piece of land and little silver jewellery and 2-3 goats. Her sons were pressurizing and abusing her

so that she distribute all her property between them and go somewhere. When the women listened

to all the matter, they went to Chiraiya Devi’s house together and they gave the warning to her

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sons and daughters-in-law that this house and all property are of Chiraiya Devi and if they tortured

her, they would complain in the police station. Chiraiya Devi’s younger son said that what they

were saying is wrong, and they do care for their mother. After this matter, the CBO women one by

one go to her house and always talk about whether her sons take care of her or not. Now Chiraiya

Devi is pleased.

17. Supporting the prohibition of alcohol and fighting against violence

This case occurred in the month of 4th

March 2017 before Holi festival. Kiran is a member of

Lilari CBO and she is also a governing body member. She lives at the village of Madariya,

Panchayat Pasaur, Post Lilari, P.S. & Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. One day a CBO

woman came and started crying loudly that yesterday night her husband came home after drinking

alcohol and beat her badly. Kiran asked her how her husband found alcohol because at this time

selling of alcohol is illegal and banned all over in Bihar. That CBO woman told that in a Mushari

tola some people prepared the alcohol. Kiran collected 15-20 women from her village, those all the

women were CBO members. All of them went to that Mushari and searched the houses one by one

and found 15-20 litres of alcohol. Some men of Mushari who prepared illegal alcohol, abused her

and intimidated her that they would burn her shop and kill her. At that time, Kiran didn't

understand what to do, so she got the number of the police station from the unit animator and

complained about it. The police reached there and arrested some people.


Lalita Devi lives at the village of Nagari in the Panchayat of Nagari, Post Nagari, P.S & Block

Charpokhari, District Bhojpur, belongs to Kamal CBO of village Nagri. This case was taken up on

5/4/2017. Lalita Devi husband's name is Lalbabu. Lalbabu often tortures her and puts many

restrictions on her, but she never cares about them and she comes to the CBO meetings and

actively participates in the meetings and all the activities. She has the ability of leadership. One

day two members of Kamal group, Tilra Devi and Sita Devi quarrelled upon cutting the big tree.

With her ability, she tried to solve the problem. At the same time, Lalita Devi’s husband reached

there and upon seeing her wife, he became angry and without trying to understand anything, he

began to badly beat Lalita. On the second day, when Animator Virendra reached Nagri for the

CBO meeting, he got this news. He and all CBO women decided to go to her house and meet her

husband. All CBO members and animators reached her house and warned and intimidated him. At

that time, he didn't say anything but after some time he again tortured her. Now all CBO members

finally decided to complain to the police. When he heard that women were going to the police

station, he came and told that he would not do it again. Now he doesn't beat Lalita Devi.


Shanti Devi lives at the village of Saropur in the Panchayat of Nagari, Post Dhnauti, P.S. & Block

Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. This case was taken up on 4/4/2017. She is fifty-five-years-old.

Her husband's name is Shiv pujan Singh. She had a son but he died one year before, but his wife,

who is 35-years-old lived with Shanti Devi. After the death of her son, her husband and her

daughter-in-law got in a physical relationship and they both wanted that Shanti Devi left Shiv

pujan, so both of them started to torture her and beat her . When she couldn’t tolerate further she

told about the whole matter in the CBO meeting. All CBO members and animator reached her

house. When her daughter-in-law saw the crowd, she felt afraid. All CBO women scolded and

warned her not to get in any physical relationship with her father-in-law; otherwise, they would

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complain to the police and called the Panchayat. During this situation, Shanti Devi’s husband also

came there. CBO women told her husband that it is bad behaviour on his part to leave his wife and

get in a relationship with his daughter-in-law and warned him that if he did not change his

behaviour, they would call the panchayat and would get him expelled from the society and

complain against him to the police also. Shanti Devi’s daughter-in-law and her husband

apologised. Now Shanti Devi lives happily and her daughter in-law is living in her mother's house.

20. Protesting against exploitation by Moneylender

Kalawati Devi lives at the village Madariya in the Panchayat of Pasaur, Post Lilari, P.S. & Block

Charpokhar and District Bhojpur. She is a member of Krishana CBO.This case was taken up on

20/4/2017. Her husband's name is Sataynarayan Ram. She regularly participates in each meeting.

Last year in 2016, her family's condition was very bad so she took Rs. 41000 loan and pawned her

3 katha framing field from Shivvachan Ram, who works in the Secretariat office. At that time, land

crops were being harvested by Shivvachan. Slowly-slowly, she returned all the money with

interest. When she calculated all the money she returned Rs. 120000, and Shiv vachan took all the

Rs. 120000 from Kalawati. One day she went to Shivvachan's home to take her land papers and

outstanding money, which she had already given him. Shivvachan told her angrily, that neither he

gave her money nor her land, nor she would have to hand over her land to him. Kalawati took the

support of some CBO members and villagers but he wasn't ready for returning her land. So

Kalawati went to the court with some CBO women and sent notice to Shivvachan but he refused

the court notice and he sent a notice to her and wrote in this notice that Kalawati took Rs. 41000

rupee loan, which has become Rs. 125000. Now case is continuing.


Madhuri Devi lives at the village of Nagari in the Panchayat of nagari, Post nagari, P.S. & Block

Charpokhari and District Bhojpur, is a member of Madhuri group. This case was taken up on

18/6/2017. Her husband's name is Upendar Ram. Madhuri actively participates in CBO meetings

and all training, but before some months she lived very silently and sadly. CBO women would ask

her many times but she didn't tell anything. Actually, her husband tortured her for few months and

beat her also. One day her husband beat her and got out from the house. She came to Hiramunni's

house and started crying and told all the matter. Hiramunni collected her CBOs group members

and discussed that they collectively would go to the police station and complain against her

husband, but Baijanti wasn't ready for it and she told that she wouldn't go to the police station. So,

the CBO woman Hiramunni called her husband and told that she was sending Baijanti back to her

house. If he would again torture her and beat her, they, all CBO members, would go to the police

station and complain against him and nobody would support him. Her husband didn't say anything.

Baijanti reached her home with two CBO members who exhorted her husband. Now Baijanti live

happily


Savita Devi lives at village Madariya in the Panchayat of Pasaur, Post Pasaur, P.S. & Block

Charpokhari and District Bhojpur, and she is a member of Beli CBO group. Her husband's name is

Late Vinod Paswan. She has two sons; one is fourteen years old and second is seventeen years old.

Due to the death of her husband at an early age, her society's people bullied her and abused her

character. Sometimes her sons, influenced by the bad guys also abused her. Her in-law's family

also tortured her and many times they pulled her hair and beat her; sometime some neighbours

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tried to save her but were abused by her in-laws. Savita had no other job besides agricultural

labour. On 26/3/2018 in the CBO meeting, Savita shared all the violence she faced from her in-

law's members and her sons also and requested to convince them. After the meeting, all present

CBO members reached her house and called all her in-laws. They warned that if anything

happened with Savita, they wouldn't leave any of them but they would go to the police station and

they would give evidence against the family and send all of them to jail. After this warning, her

sons felt guilty and apologised to her. Now Savita lives happily in her house and is thankful to her

CBO members that they supported her and saved her from domestic violence.


Keshojharo lives at the village of Harpur in the Panchayat of Mukundpur, Post Nagaranv, P.S. &

Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. She is a member of the Ambaa CBO group. This case

was taken up on 15/4/2018. Keshojharo husband's name is late Kariman Sah. She got her son

married in 2016. After the marriage, her daughter-in-law always abused her. Several times,

Keshojharo complained against daughter-in-law to her son but her son also took the side of his

wife and he also scolded his mother. Before three months, her daughter-in-law crossed the limit

and she beat her mother-in-law and pulled her hair because she wanted that her mother-in-law

come from her daily wage work and did the entire household work. Some neighbours tried to

convince her daughter-in-law but she abused them also. One day Keshojharo's son went to out of

station for some work. After he left, Keshojharo sat outside of her house, when her daughter-in-

law came and abused and beat her continuously. Keshojharo left the house and began living in

another house. The next day, when the CBO members came to know the matter they met

Keshojharo and gathered all the information. After they knew all the matter, they decided to call

her daughter-in-law's parents. One person went to her parents' home and called them. They came

and all CBO women and her parents sat together. After listening to all the matter, her parents

accepted that their daughter was guilty. Then, the CBO women warned her parents and

Keshojharo's daughter-in-law also that if she would abuse and beat her mother-in-law, they would

complain against her and her parents in the police station, and they would go to jail. Her parents

apologised and told that she would not do it again. They told her daughter to apologise to

Keshojharo. Keshojharo's daughter-in-law accepted her guilt and apologised.


On 11/6/2018 CBO meeting was being conducted at the village of Mukundpur in the Panchayat of

Mukundpur, Post Thakuri, P.S. & Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. During the meeting

one CBO member reached late in the meeting and began crying. She was Shanti Devi and her

husband's name is Vgedan Sah. Last year all CBO meetings were conducted in her house, she

shared her pain with the CBO women, and said, "My husband doesn't want that I go somewhere

and talk with someone or participate in the CBO meeting". At the same time, all CBO women

reached her house but her husband had gone somewhere. CBO women came back and continued

their meeting when at that time Shanti Devi's son came and told that his father had come back from

the market. Shanti Devi ran from there out of fear. All CBO women ended the meeting and they

also reached her house and saw that Vgedan Ram was scolding her and she was crying. When

CBO women entered her house Vgedan Ram stamped, and said to Shanti, "Go from here." CBO

women stopped Shanti and told Vgedan Ram why he tortured her and why he did not allow her to

go anywhere. He said, "My relations and groups comprise intellectual people." At that time, the

animator said, "They are well aware about the rights of a woman and how to treat a human. And

whichever way your friends and you meet, that way we are friends of your wife and what the

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problem is if she meets us. And this way, if you want to live with your wife, it is domestic

violence. Perhaps you can go to jail due to this behaviour." Then Vgedan Ram said, "Sorry I

misbehaved with my wife, now I will not say anything about my wife, but she will also care for my

respect in the society."


RajKumari Devi belongs to the Dalit community and she is a member of the khushi group at the

village of Kinudihri in the Panchayat of Nagari, Post Nagari, P.S. & Block Charpokhari and

District Bhojpur. She and her husband both are daily wage labourers in the land of the landlord for

livelihood and her husband's name is Lalan Paswan. This case was taken up on 20/7/2018. Raj

Kumari Devi has two small children who are going to primary school. Raj Kumari Devi was

troubled with her husband's behaviour. One day, during the meeting, she shared her pain. She said,

''My husband often abuses and beats me and whatever I cook, he through near animals. Sometimes

he caught my hair and through me out of my room; nobody saved me. Sometimes I think that I

should run away from his house, and jump in the well, but my children are very small and no one

will be there to care for them after my suicide as he won't take care of my children and

immediately marry another woman." In the meeting, all CBO women decided that they will go to

the house of Raj Kumari Devi and meet her husband. Next day, they reached her house and met

her husband. One CBO woman started to convince him. He became angry with her and asked who

she was and told her to get out of his house and not interfere in his personal life. Raj Kumari Devi

also got worried and requested to all the CBO women to go away. At that time, all the CBO

women also became angry and said, "We are going to the police station." They pulled her hand to

take her with them but her husband caught her other hand and pulled her and said, "You can't go

anywhere." And, his anger diminished and he said, "Henceforth, I won't beat and abuse her." CBO

women said, "If you do so again, we will send you to jail."


Meena Devi is a member of the Beli CBO. She lives at the village of Madariyan in the Panchayat

of Pasaur, P.S & Block Charpokhri and District Bhojpur. Her husband's name is Dayanand

Paswan. This case was taken up on 24/8/2018. She always participated in the meeting. She has two

sons and one daughter. She and her husband both are daily wage labourers in the land of a

landlord. Before one year, everything was all right in her family, but during this year, her

husband's behaviour changed. He had got bad company. One day CBO meeting was being

conducted. Meena Devi also participated, at that time she shared her pain. One day, she went to the

field to bring straw for animals. Her husband came there and started to abuse her and beat her also

and said," You have physical relationships with other people, you characterless woman" and beat

her brutally. "He is innocent but gullible. Now, he is saying; after some time, the society will

blame me after listening to him," she said. Now he always said that her physical relationship is

with others. She didn't want to live but to commit suicide. Listening to it, the CBO women got

angry with him and they decided that they would meet with her husband. Next day they met with

her husband and asked how he accused his wife of relationship with other men. He got angry with

the CBO members and said, "Who are you to interfere in my family life?" Women also got angry

and said," Without knowing anything you blame her. Now the police officer will decide who is

wrong or right." When he heard this, he said, "Some people were saying my wife used to roam

around, but I never saw." Then women said, "When you didn't see how you can blame her?" CBO

women convinced him not to listen to other people as they don't want good for him. They advised

him to live happily with his family. After that, he didn't abuse her.

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This case came from the village of Madariya in the Panchayat of Pasaur, P.S. & Block

Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. There are 5 CBO groups and Kalawati is a member of the

Krishna CBO and her husband's name is Satyanarayan Ram. This case was taken up on 5/10/2018.

Kalawati had done her intermediate education from the Bihar Board and so she had filled the form

for the post of Aganwadi Sevika as she was eligible to apply. In the Pasaur Panchayat, Ward No.

12, 2 tolas Madriya and Amroja are situated. In this tola most of the households belonged to the

SC and the tola was reserved for SC for the post of Aganwadi Shevika. But without holding an

Aam Sabha, they accepted the application of an OBC candidate named Dharmshila who has

studied from the Sanskrit Board for the post of Aganwadi Shevika. Dharmshila's brother is a

member of the Panchayat Samittee and he always takes money from the villagers and gets their

work done in the block through unfair means, because of his connection with several block officers

and other staff and he has a domineering family. Kalawati complained about this matter to DPEO

and in the month of November, DPEO investigated about this matter, but the CDPO and the BDO

took the bribe and gave the decision in the favour of Dharamshila Devi. Kalawati shared this

matter in the CBO meeting and demanded the support of the CBO women. All CBO members

agreed to support her in getting justice and told they were with her. Kalawati met some officers

who suggested to her that she file a public petition in the High Court. She filed one petition in the

High Court. After that, Dharmshila's brother told her that he had already appointed his sister to the

post of Aganwadi Sevika and sent her to the training so the petition was of no use. Still, the case is

in the court.

Raxaul


Anita Devi belongs to Anjali group of Pantoka village in the Panchayat of Pantoka, Post Singhpur

Haraiya, P.S & Block Raxaul and District East. Champaran and her husband's name is Pawan

Ram. This case was taken up on 8/2/2016. At this time, alcohol is prohibited in Bihar, but some

villages go to Nepal for daily work and they drink alcohol there. They don't come by the main road

because the police can catch them for being drunk. Anita's husband was also a daily wage laborer

and he went to Nepal for earning and after coming back he drank alcohol and after coming home

he abused Anita and beat her and her children, but she didn't complain to anybody. One day, he

again came after drinking and beat her. During beating, Anita's husband pulled her hand and beat

her with a lathi. Due to this, her hand got fractured and black spots swelled on her body. He beat

his children also. Next day she was crying, at that time a neighbor CBO woman saw her. She asked

all the matter from her. She took all the CBO women and told that they all are going to the police

station to complain against him that he takes alcohol and beats his wife and children. Pawan Ram

didn't say anything; he listened to the women silently. After the scolding of the CBO women he

accepted his guilt. Now, he doesn't beat his wife and children.

2. Complaining against the man who killed his wife for dowry

This case came from the village on of Pantoka in the Panchayat of Pantoka, Post Singhpur

Haraiya, P.S & Block Raxaul, District East Champaran on 18/2/2016, a member of Anjali group,

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whose name is Kanti Devi and her husband's name is Upender Ram. Her niece, Lalsa, who is dead,

was married in a Nepalese village to Pramod Ram. But all family lives at Pantoka village. In

Lalsa's marriage, a lot of dowries except a T.V. were given to the in-laws. In in-laws' house, Lalsa

was tortured and beaten by her in-laws. Lalsa's father would send the TV in 4 months. But Lalsa's

in-laws didn't stop inflicting violence upon Lalsa. They stopped the basic needs of Lalsa including

food. Gradually she started feeling weak. She requested her in-laws that they send her to her

mother's house. One night, all the in-laws killed Lalsa, and dug a hole and put her in it and spread

salt on her dead body. After three-four days Lalsa's husband felt alone. He continued saying that

his wife was very nice and beautiful. Gradually he became mentally disturbed and shouted that his

family members killed his wife. Lots of villagers got collected there. Members of Anjali group

collectively complained to the Police. The police arrested Lalsa's husband, but other member had

left the house before the police came.

3. Fighting for justice against Eve-teasing of Girl

This case came from the village of Hajama tola in the Panchayat of Pantoka, Post Singhpur

Haraiya, P.S & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. This case was taken up on 22/5/2016.

In this village, two castes dominate, namely Kanu and Kurmi. Lachi Devi is a member of Gandhi

group; her husband’s name is Suresh Shah. Lachi Devi has a daughter named Gudiya. In that

village lives Paramanand who belongs to Kurmi caste and has one son. One day, Gudiya was

going to school, at that time Paramanand's son eve-teased her. This continued for two-three days,

but she didn't say anything about him to her family member because she was afraid that if she said

about this matter to her family they would stop her going to school, but on the fourth day, she told

all the matter to her mother. Her mother kept this matter in the CBO meeting. After this meeting,

40 women from other CBO groups in their Panchayat went to the house of Parmanand's house and

told him and complained to him that his son eve-teased her daughter, and told him that you tell him

that if he ever eve-teased her daughter, they would go to the police station. Paramanand

immediately called his son and scolded him and his son apologized to the women, but his son

didn't stop eve-teasing Gudiya, so the women consulted together and went to Mukhiya's house and

told all the matter. The Mukhiya called Parmanand and his son and tried convincing him, but he

didn't listen and continued eve-teasing. Then, all the women went to the police station and told all

the matter. The police officer came to Lachi Devi’s house and took the statement of her daughter

Gudiya, and all the women also gave their statement against Parmanand's son. After writing all the

statement, the police officer went to Parmanand's house and caught his son and put him in jail.


This incident was on 14 November 2016; Sita Devi belongs to group no-1 village Mushrawa in the

Panchayat of Bhelahi, P.S & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran and her husband's name is

Rameshwar Ram. Sita Devi worked four days in the field of a Moneylender named Mosaheb

Devan. One day she went to his house to take her wages and paddy of four days’ work. Mosaheb

Devan has a son, named Salim and he is 20 years old, and he told her that she should come after

four days. Sita Devi told about her pitiable condition and requested him to give her wages, but he

abused and told that if she didn't go from his house, he would pull her hair and throw her out of his

gate. Sita Devi came back and told all matter in the cluster meeting. After meeting, four Cluster

members went to Mosaheb Devan's house with Sita. Mosaheb was not there then women were

called him. When Mosaheb came all the women told Mosaheb that after that day, no women will

work in his field and he would have to give the wages of Sita Devi. When Mosheb understood all

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the matter, he apologized to Sita Devi and immediately gave her wages and paddy to her and told

that I will convince my son that he will never miss behaves with women.


Diprajo Devi, her husband's name is Jawahir Ram, belongs to group no-1 at the village of

Bharathmahi in Panchayat of Bhartmahi, Post Singhpur Haraiya, P.S. & Block Raxaul and District

East Champaran. This case was taken up on 12/12/2016. Diprajo Devi has a daughter-in-law, but

Diprojo Devi always tortured her daughter-in-law and wanted to get her son married to another

woman, whereas her daughter-in-law has two children from her son and her son also wanted a

second marriage. One day, Diprajo Devi’s daughter-in-law came to the CBO meeting and

complained against Diprajo Devi, which the rest of the group considered necessary to discuss upon

to solve it and conducted a meeting and called Diprajo Devi and warned that she change her

behavior against her daughter-in-law. If she didn't change her behavior against her daughter-in-

law, all CBO members would go to the police station and complain against her and her son. Listing

all the matter, Diprajo Devi also complained against her daughter-in-law’s bad behavior. Then, the

CBO member convinced her daughter-in-law also that she should also well-behaved with her in-

laws and live peacefully because the law is equal for all.


Lalmuni Devi, belong to Musaharwa Bhagirathi group, Musaharwa tola of Harnahi in the

Panchayat of Bhartmahi, Post Bhelahi, P.S & Block Raxaul. This case was taken up on 21/3/2017.

Lalmuni Devi' husband's name is Hiralal Padit and he is a laborer. Lalmuni Devi's mother-in-law

always tortured her after her husband went outside for a job; she abused her and sometimes beat

her also. Lalmuni told this matter to her husband but her husband didn't believe her. One day a lot

of shouting was heard from Lalmuni Devi by her neighbors', who also joined with the CBO group

and other women and reached her house. They saw that Lalmuni Devi' mother-in-law was beating

her. All the women freed her, and they told that she was also a daughter of someone, why she was

beating her. Her mother-in-law also fought with CBO women. All the women told her that they

were going to the police station to complain against her. When all the women came out of her

house, then Lalmuni Devi's mother-in-law told that now she would not beat her, but they all should

tell her that she does all work according to her. CBO women convinced her that she would love her

and always work according to her.


Lalsa Devi belongs to Musaharwa tola, of Bhelahi Panchayat, Post Bhelahi, P.S & Block Raxaul

and District East Champaran. This case was taken up on 25/3/2017. She got married seven years

ago with Lalan Paswan. She has one son and one daughter. She is not a member of CBO, but CBO

women support her. Lalsa Devi's mother-in-law Lalita Devi always beat and tortured her for small

things, her husband and father-in-law didn't say anything to Lalita Devi. One day Lalita Devi beat

her so much that due to beating, her hands and face swelled. She ran away and hid in a neighbor's

house. She lived there for a day. She was frightened that if she would go to her house, her mother-

in-law would again beat her. Lalsa Devi lived in the house of a CBO member. She (the neighbor)

called the meeting and all the women went to her house together and confabulated with her

mother-in-law about domestic violence law and they told that they are going to the police station

for filing an FIR against her and her family. Then, Lalsa Devi's father-in-law told that he did not

torture Lalsa, but women told that he supported his wife, so he was also a felon. Lalsa Devi’s

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father-in-law told that his wife would not beat Lalsa again. Till now, Lalsa is not been beaten by

her mother-in-law after that meeting.


This case came from Jokiyari in the Panchayat of Jokiyari, Post Jokiyari, P.S. & Block Raxaul and

District East Champaran. Gita Devi is a member of Ekta group and her husband's name is

Ramperwesh Sah. Dated 27 March 2017, Gita Devi went to PDS shop to get her monthly ration.

She didn't find the February and march ration. She gave her the coupon for collection the PDS

ration. Distributor took the coupon and gave her only the March quota of ration and kept her

February coupon. Gita Devi asked the Dealer why he kept her coupon. He became angry with her

and started shouting on her. When she wasn't ready to go from there without her coupon, then he

beat her. She came back home and told all the matter publicly. All CBO members from that

Panchayat collectively reached Mukhiya's house. Mukhiya called the Panchayat and took the

decision in favor of Gita Devi. Mukhiya told the Dealer that he immediately gave the February

ration to Gita and 5000 rupees as a penalty. Mukhiya Sandhya Devi warned the Dealer that if he

again misbehaves, she would get his dealership canceled. The dealer realized his fault and

apologized and promised that he will never misbehave with any other person.

9. Supporting Girl's education

This case came from the village of Singhpur Hareya in the Panchayat of Singhpur Haraiya, Post

Singhpur Haraiya, P.S. & Block Raxaul and District East Chamaparn. This case was taken up on

9/5/2017. Nasima Khatoon is twelve years old. Nasima khatoon's mother Kemru Nesha is a

member of Tara Mahila group and her father's name is Jalim Hawari. Jalim hawari and Kemru

Nesha both did not want that their girl attends school and continues her studies, but she wanted to

continue her study. Nasima khatoon joined the Kishori Manch and registered there. The animator

knew that she is not going to school, so this matter was discussed in the CBO meeting and all the

CBO women tried to convince Kemru Nesha and her husband. Now Nasima Khatoon is going to

school again. She is very happy.

10. Supporting Girl's education

This case came from the village of Bhartmahi, in the Panchayat of Pantoka, Post Singhpur

Haraiya, P.S & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. This case was taken up on 12/5/2017.

There is a girl, whose name is Sindhu Kumari. She is 13 years old and studying in 9th

class in the

school of Rajkiya Utkramit Madhya Vidhyalaya. Her mother's name is Ramawati Devi and she is a

member of the ND group and her father's name is Ramnath Ram Sindhu left going to school after

8th

class and she did all the household work. When Mashal started Kishori Manch, Sindhu also

participated in this Manch and registered her name. When Mashal animator came to know that she

left the school and but she wanted to continue her studies, the animator talked on this matter in the

CBO meeting. Sindhu Kumari's mother Ramawati told that what she would do if she was more

qualified since at last, she had to go to her in-laws' house and that she already knew to write her

name and address. CBO women exhorted her then she became ready, but she told that her husband

would not be ready for her daughter's studies. All CBO members decided to meet her husband and

one day they met Sindhu's father and exhorted her. For some time, he kept quiet but after some

time he got ready to let her continue her study. The Mashal animator and her mother went to

Bharmahi Rajkiya Utkramit Madhya Vidhyalaya and got her admitted in the school in 9th

class.

Sindhu is now going to school and she is very happy.

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11. Complaining against the man who killed his wife for dowry

Saroj Devi belongs to Gandhi group of Hajmatola in the Panchayat of Pantoka, Post Singhpur

Haraiya, P.S. & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran and her husband's name is Gurdali

Sah. This case was taken up on 17/5/2017. Saroj Devi has a sister-in-law named Radharani, who

was married with Subhash Shah in Variyarpur, Nepal. In the marriage of Radharani, her in-law

demanded a lot of dowries. Saroj kept silent because firstly she is the daughter-in-law and

secondly our society structure and culture doesn't allow a woman to participate in important family

matters. All dowries were given, only ten thousand remained. For those ten thousand, Radharani

was tortured by her in-laws. Her father took 6 months for giving ten thousand rupees. But her in-

laws didn't stop torturing her, but she didn't say anything to her family. Because of those ten

thousand, her in-laws stopped all her facilities. Gradually she fell down on the bed without proper

diet and care. One day her in-law murdered her. Saroj’s father-in-law and her husband complained

against Radharani's in-laws family, but the police was liberal in arresting the in-laws. All CBO

women went to the police station and demanded their arrest. After this incident, the police arrested

Radharani's in-laws and sent them to jail. Saroj and the CBO are very sad because if they had

taken this step before her murder, Radharani would have been alive.

12. Fighting against Violence by a school teacher

This case came from the village of Harnahi in the Panchayat of Harnahi, Post Ghonaha, P.S &

Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. Lalmuni Devi is the member of Champa Gramin

Mahila Vikas Samittee. This case was taken up on 14/6/2017. Lalmuni Devi husband's name is

Aklu Paswan and she has three children— two sons and one daughter. One son's name is Vivek

Kumar who is in class 7th

and second son's name is Rakesh Kumar who is in class 6th

and the

daughter's name is Rani Kumari who is in class 8th

. All the children are going to the same school.

One day in the lunch break, the midday meal was being served. In two children's plates there were

no worms but after two children, five children's plates had big worms in the meal. Lalmuni's

children were sitting together so they came to the home with their plates. Lalmuni Devi collected

all the CBO members and reached with the children's plates. Lalmuni and all CBO members met

the Principal and told him about this matter very politely that per day one and two children were

complaining but they ignored but that day in five plates worms were found in the meal which was

wrong as it would have had a bad effect on the health of children. The principal told 400 children's

meal were cooked per day, but nobody complained and that only they came, so this matter would

be kept among all the teachers. One teacher named Rajkishor asked rudely who said that it was

wrong and that those children were telling a lie. So on this matter, a quarrel began. Rajkishor

slapped Lalmuni and told her to get out from there and what she wanted to do against him, and that

he was not afraid of anybody. Lalmuni Devi and the CBO members complained to the SMC

(School management committee) of that school. Mukhiya MD. Khalid and ward members and all

other committee members came and solved the matter and as a penalty, Rajkishor gave 700 rupees

to Lalmuni Devi and accepted his guilt and apologised in front of all the villagers.

13. Fighting against exploitation of Girl over education

This case came from the village of Chainpur ward no-8 in the Panchayat Harnahi, Post Ghonaha,

P.S & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. Sunita Devi is a member of the Mahila Vikas

Samittee group member and her husband's Chanchal Baitha. On 22/6/2017 in the CBO meeting

animator came to know that Sunaina Devi exploits her girl daughter due to education. Her

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daughter's name is Chinta Kumari. She was 15 years old and was studying in 9th

class. One day

suddenly Sunaina Devi told her daughter that she would not go to school, and had read as much as

she had to and that she learnt some household works, and her school was very far away approx 2

km. If someone did something wrong with her, who would get marry with her. Chinta always went

to school with her brother Manoj, who studied in the 8th

class in the same school. Chinta argued

with her mother that she would go to school and learn all the household work also, so Sunaina

Devi became angry with her and started beating her. Due to the beating, Chinta became ill and

suffered from fever for three days. When her husband told his wife Sunaina to get Chinta treated,

Sunaina scolded her husband. One day Chinta's father also told her that her mother was right, and

what she would do after studying, but Chinta was not ready for it. This message reached the CBO

member and was kept in the Cluster meeting. Under the cluster an education committee of two five

members was formed, so they took up this case and met Chinta's parents and exhorted her and

personally told Sunaina Devi that she was the member of a group and she behaved badly with her

daughter. Sunaina didn't say anything. Now Chinta is going to school.

14. Fighting against exploitation by the Ward secretary

This case came from the village of Jatiyahi in the Panchayat of Jokiyari, Post Jokiyari, P.S &

Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. Lalpari Devi is the member of Gramin Mahila Vikas

Samittee Jatiyahi and her husband's name is Rupa Giri. According to her Aadhar, her age is 65

years old. On the date of 24/6/2017, the old pension form was being filled by the ward secretary of

Muna Singh. Lalpari also reached there to get her form, filled but Muna Singh demanded 200

rupees for filling the form. Then she told that it was wrong and that he should not demand 200

rupees to fill the form, and also that they had voted him and he had won and he was their leader, so

he ought not to take the bribe. The ward member became angry with Lalpari and took the form and

tore it and told that he would not fill her form and that she could go away from there. Lalpari told

that she would go to the BDO office with that form. At that same time, the ward secretary's wife

came there and pushed and tossed her on the earth and the ward secretary also slapped her. Several

members standing there stopped the quarrel. Lalpari Devi called the Mukhiya, one of her group

members and her family members too. After some time, her family member reached there and

locked the ward secretary and his wife in his house. All the cluster members also reached there.

After an hour, Mukhiya Sandhya Devi reached there. The Mukhiya listened to the whole matter,

some people supported the ward member but all the cluster members told that it was wrong that the

ward secretary and his wife beat her. The Mukhiya told that violence against woman is incorrect so

as a punishment for the crime of beating the ward secretary would have to pay 5000 rupees as fine

and accept his guilt and apologize in front of villagers. The Ward member apologized and gave

5000 rupees also. The Mukhiya Sandhya told that if any ward member or any other person

demands money for filling the form, she should be informed by calling her, and promised to take

legal action against that person.

15. Fighting against Exploitation by the Vikas Mitra

This case came from at the village of Singharwa, Panchayat Jokiyari; ward no-10, Post Jokiyari,

P.S & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. In this village lived Godawari Devi, her

husband is Ganesh Patel. She is a member of the Gramin Mahila Vikas Samittee-6. On 12/9/2017

at 9 'o' clock in the morning, she came to Rajiv Ram's house to see the list of Indira Awas

beneficiaries. Rajiv Ram is the Vikas Mitra. She told very respectfully to check if her name was in

the list or not, and that she was thirty five years old, and that several times she had filled the form

but still didn’t get the benefits Indira awas. Vikas Mitra demanded to her 5000 rupee for Indira

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Awas, but she wasn't ready to give. He told her very rudely that she would not get Indira Awas, as

her name was not mentioned in the list. She requested him to show her the list. The Vikas Mitra

told who was seen to the list. She asked again why he was demanding Rs. 5000 from her, and told

that he would have to show. He abused her and slapped on her face. At the same time, Mukhiya's

assistant Jaswant Paswan went there. When he listened to the matter he called both the parties and

tried to resolve the problem. Till then, several CBO women reached there and also called the

Mukhiya Sandhaya Devi and the Sarpanch. Several villagers also reached there. Mukhiya Sandhya

Devi told that the Vikas Mitra is the culprit and told the Sarpanch to call the police, but the

Sarpanch resolved the problem and told him that he would have to apologize to her. He touched

her leg and apologized and promised that he would never do that again.

16. Supporting girl’s Education

This case came from the village of Chikani in the Panchayat of Jokiyari, Post Jokiyari, P.S. &

Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. Dhuli Devi is a member of group no-9 and her

husband's name is nagendar Mukhiya. This case was taken up on 17/4/2018. She has one

granddaughter named Sumanti Kumari who lives in this village. She is thirteen years old and

studies in the 7th class of Rajkiya Madhay Vidhalay, Chikni. One day Sumanti demanded some

money from her mother for a new book. Listening to this, her mother's became angry and scolded

her and told that every time she demands money for study material and that she should leave

studying and learn some household work as after some time they would get her married. Seeing

this behavior of her mother she became very upset and she felt that now her mother would not let

her study so she told her mother that she would go to school after completing all the household

works but she wanted to study. The next day, Sumanti completed all her household work and was

ready to go to school, but her mother abused her and took a stick and beat her. When Dhuni Devi

saw and heard her crying, she ran and saved her. She informed a neighbor CBO member. All CBO

women came and convinced Sumanti's mother that beating and abusing her children was a criminal

offence and if her child would complain against her, she could get punished. It was good that

Sumanti wanted to study and due to education, her would life improve and she could become

someone famous. Hira Devi felt guilty and ashamed of her behavior. With the support of CBO

member, Sumanti got her right to education and was thankful to her grandmother.

17. Fighting against playing vulgar song

This case came from the village of Bharathmahi, in the Panchayat of Pantoka, P.S. & Block

Raxaul and District East Champaran. This case was taken up on 16/4/2018. March in Bihar was

the season of the wedding. During that time, in approximately every home in which there is

wedding or function, people play classical, dance and cultural songs. But sometimes some people

play the obscene song on the loudspeakers, which is illegal and not a good point of view of

society. To stop these kinds of obscene songs, the CBO women complained to the Mukhiya in a

meeting. For stopping the obscene songs, the Mukhiya conducted a meeting and in this meeting,

CBO women, respectable persons of society, ward members and Mukhiya participated. During the

meeting it was decided that if any family played obscene songs on the loudspeaker, they would

have to pay a fine of 10000 rupees as a punishment. After this rule, people had become attentive

and stopped playing obscene songs. One day a person who lives in this village's ward no-2 named

Ramnath Ram was playing a Bhojpuri obscene song. Some CBO women reached his house and

said, "Stop the obscene song," but Ramnath didn't hear them. The CBO women complained to the

Mukhiya about Ramnath Ram. Mukhiya came and told to stop the obscene songs and reminded of

the rule about obscene songs, but Ramnath's economic condition was not good so he laid down on

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the Mukhiya feet and told that he had no money, but according to the rule 10000 rupees had to be

paid as fine. He apologized and promised never to do that again, and gave one thousand rupees.

After this happened, everyone became alert. Now in this village, every one fears playing obscene

songs.


Chandrawati Devi belongs to a poor family. She lives at the village of Parshurampur in the

Panchayat of Bhelahi, Post Bhelahi, P.S. Palanwa, Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. She

has two sons and three daughters and her husband's name is Shivnath Hajar. This case was taken

up on 25/4/2018. She and her husband are daily wage laborers in the land of a landlord and a brick

kiln factory. Both earn money for livelihood, but Shivnath is alcoholic and after drinking he has no

control upon himself and he abused his wife and children and beat them also. At this time, there is

the prohibition on alcohol in Bihar, but Raxaul district is near the Nepal border, so many Indians

easily get alcohol. One day he drank and started shouting loudly, and also beat his wife. Some

CBO members living near his house listened to the noise and reached his house and saved

Chandrawati Devi. Shivnath was out of control and he pushed one lady and abused her also. One

member became angry and told; "Now we will get you out of your inebriation and are calling the

police." Listening to the name of the police, he kept quiet and ran away. Next day, 4 CBO women,

namely Parwati Devi, Rampati Devi, Sona Devi, Bhagmati Devi, and Sunaina Devi women again

reached her home and met to Shivnath and told him. "If you again misbehaved with Chandrawati

and other persons, we would complain against you in the police station." He said that now he

would not misbehave with his wife and children.

19. Fighting against Eve-teasing

Gyanti Devi belongs to a poor family and lives at the village of Hajamatola in the Pnachayat of

Pantoka, Post Singhpur Hariya, P.S. & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. This case was

taken up on 5/5/2018. Gyanti Devi has two sons and three daughters and her husband's name is

Bhulan Sah. Her husband and she are also daily wage laborers in the land of a landlord and when

her husband doesn't find job in the land of a landlord, he works in loading the goods. Gyanti Devi

is not a member of CBO and she is not literate but her desire is that her children complete their

higher education so all children go to school regularly. One day one of her daughters, Jyoti

Kumari, aged 16, was going to field at approx. 12 'o' clocks. At the same time, Vigu Sah, who lives

in same the village, saw her alone and began to eve-tease her. Jyoti ran from there very hardly and

told all the matter to Maya Devi and Rita Devi who were the members of CBO group, and were

weeding in the field. Rita Devi and Maya Devi reached the house of Mukhiya with Jyoti and called

all the CBO members and Gyanti Devi. They shared all the matter with the Mukhiya who became

very angry and called Vigu Sah. Firstly, Vigu Sah was not confessing his guilt but Jyoti Kumari

repeated her statement again and again. Mukhiya said that Jyoti was saying the truth, so he would

have to give 3000 rupees to Gayanti Devi as a penalty and after that day, he would never eve-tease

any other girl and apologize for his guilt to her. Vigu Sah said, "Sorry" and gave 3000 rupees to

Gyanti Devi and left from there with his head bent down. Gyanti Devi expressed gratitude to Maya

Devi and Rita Devi.

20. Fighting against torture of girl

This case happened at the village of Pantoka Harijan Basti in the garth of Mango in the Panchayat

of Pantoka, Post Singhpur Hariya, P.S. & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran. In this

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village, there is a CBO named Anjali and an LKM (Ladali Ki Muskan) group. Nilam is a member

of this LKM group. Parents of Nilam are illiterate and they are daily wage laborers. . Her mother's

name is Laxmi Devi and her father's name is Chumun Ram. Nilam has three sisters and one

brother, all sisters and brother were going to school except Nilam because she is mentally not fit.

One day on 26/6/2018 animator Rita Mehta is going to the village for conducting the CBO

meeting, at that time she heard somebody cry. She searched for the source of the sound. When she

reached there, she saw that Nilam's mother was holding her hair in her hand and beating her

cruelly. The animator was shocked to see all this and tried to save Nilam in which she succeeded.

At that time, the unit coordinator also reached there. Rita shared all the matter with the unit

coordinator who exhorted Nilam's mother. He said to her," You are continuing to beat her. If she

died then what you would do. After her death, you and your family members would wander the

police station and court. If you gave birth to her, you are also responsible to care for her. One

CBO member told that she saw her last time also beating her eldest daughter. Nilam's mother told

that she neither obeyed her not supported her in household work. Unit Coordinator told it was

wrong; one can't beat any person or child brutally, and that person or child could be convinced

affectionately. Lastly, Laxmi Devi (Nilam's mother) understood that she should not have beaten

her daughter. She said," Now I will try to convince her with love." Listening to this, all CBO

members clapped.

Gahiri

1. Fighting for Land

Basmati Devi, who belongs to Gramin Vikas committee group no-4 at the village of Majariya

nawakatola in the Panchayat of majhariya, Post Bharwaliya, P.S & Block Paharpur and District

East Champaran. Her husband's name is Bhagwan Singh. This case was taken up on 15/7/2015.

She has 3 kattha 11 dismil lands. One day her husband fought with her and went somewhere

because he demanded money for intoxication, but she didn't give money. Her husband sold his

land for his intoxication. His name is Manger Bhagat. Manger Bhagat came to her house and

abused her and told her to leave the house. When she wasn't ready to leave her house, he began to

beat her and pulled her hair and threw her and her household things out of the house. She was

alone at that time. After this the incident, the CBO member collected in one place and met the

Sarpanch of that village and complained against Manger Bhagat. The Sarpanch called Manger

Bhagat and scolded him for his bad behaviour. Now Basmati Devi lived in her home happily.

2. Supporting to stop child marriage

Mira Devi is a member of CBO group of Tiwari tola at the village of Tiwari Tola in the Panchayat

of Enarwabhar, Post East Sareya, P.S. & Block pahadpur and Distric East Champaran. This case

was taken up on 5/4/2016 Mira Devi's husband's Ramlal Yadav and he is a farmer. One day CBO

women came to know that Mira Devi and her husband are searching for a groom for her 14 years

old girl. That day Mira didn't participate in the meeting, so women decided to go to her house.

They all together reached Mira's house and tried to exhort her husband and her. Mira's husband

rudely behaved with the CBOs women and told that Lila is her daughter and they could decide

what was good and bad for her and Mira's wish was to get her daughter married and that all can get

out of his house and Mira won't come in the meeting. One CBO woman told that it was a crime. If

he got his daughter married under 14 years, they would all go to the police station and complain

against him. They said they were going from his house, and wouldn't come, but then the police

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would come to his house, if he got his daughter married and all CBO women came out from Mira's

house, Mira's husband also came behind them and told please didn't go to the police station, I won't

get my daughter married till 18th

years, and apologized for his bad behavior. Thus CBO women

saved one more girl from child marriage.


This case study is regarding the occupancy of land. Kalawati Devi husband's name is Nagina ram.

She belongs to Dalit commniyt and her economic condition was not good. Kalawati lives at the

village of Khaptola in the Panchayat of East Sareya, Post East Sareya, P.S & Block Pahadpur and

District East Champaran. Kalawati has 40 dismal lands but a landlord Amin Ray had captured her

land. He lived in Chitaha. He had taken her land 20 years ago. Kalawati continued to struggle to

find the property papers. Finally, when she found them, she went to Amin's house and told him to

give her land. But Amin ray didn't agree and abused Kalawati who got out from there. She went to

the block office to complain to the CO. On 15/5/2016 CO came with the police and CBOs women

came with Kalawati and In front of the CO and the police, Kalawati tilled the land. Now she is

very happy because she has found her land with help of CBOs members.

4. Supporting to stop girl child labour

Nitu Kumari lives at the village of Kanu tola in the Panchayat West Sariya, Post Sareya Bazaar,

P.S. & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. Her father's name is Feku Sah and her

mother's name is Sunita Devi. Faku shah didn't send his daughter Nitu Kumari to school. Her

grandmother and mother were sowing paddy. One day on 27/6/2016, the vice president of the

federation went to that side. She saw that Nitu was sowing the paddy. She collected the CBO

women and went to her home and told her parents if they made their daughter sow paddy, it would

be child labour and she would complain to the police and the police would arrest them. Her mother

said that they would not send Nitu for sowing.

5. Supporting to stop Female feticide

Mala Devi lives at the village of Majhariya, Nawakatola in the Panchayat of majhariya, Post

Bharawaliya, P.S. & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. She is a member of group of

Nawakatola. Her husband's name is Rajendra Paswan On 8/9/2016 Mala Devi was going to abort

the female foetus. This matter came to be known by Dhukhani kunwar. She went to Mala and told

her that it was murder and sin but Mala's husband Rajendar Paswan didn't agree, then Dhokhani

kunwar again went to her house with all the CBO women. The women asked the man why he

wanted to abort the female foetus. Mala Devi said that she has three daughters and her husband

wants a son. Dhukhani tried to explain to her husband again that the girls are equal to boys and that

if he would try to abort this child, they would complain to the police. After some time, he agreed

that he would not abort the foetus.


Usha Devi lives at the village of Sareya in the Panchayat of Sareya, Post Sareya Bazaar, P.S. &

Block Pahdpur and District East Champaran. Usha Devi is the secretary of CBOs group "Gramin

MahilaVikas Samiti, Sariya Market" and her husband's name is Rajendra Chaudhry. She told that

her daughter's in-laws always beat and tortured her. Finally, she left her in-laws' house. On

2/5/2017, Usha Devi and her CBOs member went to her daughter's in-laws' house and they

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persuaded the in-laws to accept their guilt. But they were not accepting their guilt. CBO women

and Usha Devi reached to Sarpanch's house and complaint against her in-law's family member.

After that, the Panchayat was called and they took up this case. Now her daughter lives with her

in-laws and she is well.

7. Fighting against Dignity

Usha Devi lives at the village of Sareya in the Panchayat of Sareya, Post Sareya Bazaar, P.S. &

Block Pahdpur and District East Champaran. Usha Devi is the secretary of CBOs group "Gramin

MahilaVikas Samiti, Sariya Market" and her husband's name is Rajendra Chaudhry. One day on

14/5/2017, she was going to take milk. Another lady saw her and said a witch is coming. This

sentence was heard by Usha who came back and collected all CBO women from that Panchayat

and her family members and reached the house of the woman who called her a witch. Seeing this

situation, her husband came to know the matter. He became angry with his wife, who apologized

to Usha Devi.

8. Supporting Readmission of Girl

Saroj Kumari is a 13 years old dumb girl and she lives at village Sareya Gadwa, Post Sareya

Bazaar, P.S. & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. Saroj's father name is Surendar Ram

and mother's name is Anita Devi. She belongs to a poor Dalit family. Her father is a cobbler and

her mother is daily wage laborer in the farming field. She has one younger sister and a younger

brother. Her family's economic condition is not good in spite of her parents sending her to school

and she completed 8th

class study. After completing the 8th

class study she left the school. Her

mother is a member of Gramin Mahila Samittee and she always comes in the meeting. One day on

14/5/2017 in meeting discussions was going on the education of girls. Her mother told that her

daughter left the school after 8th

class. CBO women asked why she did not send her to high school.

She told that she had no money and her daughter was dumb and how she could send her to school.

All CBO women exhorted her mother if you readmitted her daughter in 9th

class, she would do

something in her future, without education nobody would care for her. You should get your

daughter's matriculation and intermediate completed. Her mother got ready and she went to her

home and told her husband. Her husband also became ready. After two days they reached Hira Sah

High school for admission of her daughter Saroj. They admitted her, now she is very happy that

she has again started her studies and is concentrating on her study.


Sushila Devi lives at the village of Kharawa Chaubey tola in the Panchayat of Tejpurawa, Post

Sonawal, P.S & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. Sushila Devi belongs to Gramin

Vikas Mahila Samittee, Khairwa Chaube Tola. On 24/6/2017, her husband Gayanlal Ram beat her

and forced her to go to her mother's house. One day she reached her federation member Chanda's

house and told about the incident. Chanda Devi immediately called all the CBO members and the

animator who reached her house and met her husband. All members intimidated her husband that

if he would beat her, they would complain against him and nobody would get him bailed out. After

some time, he accepted his guilt and apologised and got Sushila treated.

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10. Supporting to stop Female foeticide

Girja Devi belongs to Gramin MahilaVikas Samittee, Malahatola group-4 in the Panchayat of

Majhariya, Post Bharawaliya, P.S. Malahi East Sareya, Block Pahadpur and District East

Champaran and her husband's name is Rajendrea Sah. This case was taken up on 4/6/2017. Her

brother-in-law's wife is a daughter. She conceived again. Her husband didn't inform anyone and

took her to the hospital for a sex determination test of the foetus. After the test, the doctor found

that the foetus was a girl. He tried to force his wife for abortion, but she wasn't ready for it. They

came back home. As soon as they reached home, he started beating her and then sent her to her

mother's house and told her mother that he wouldn't be able to keep her with him and to get her

married to someone else. When the news of the incident reached Girja Devi, she decided to take

some step against him. She collected the CBO women and reached her brother-in-law's house and

told that they had come to know that he got the sex determination test done of his wife's unborn

foetus and that foetus was a girl and that if he got the foetus aborted, they would complain against

him because pre-natal sex determination test is a crime, and so he and the doctor would go to jail.

They also explained that boys and girls are equal, and there is no difference between a son and a

daughter. He accepted his guilt and went to mother-in-law's' house and came back with his wife.


On 24/6/2017, ShriKanti Devi, whose husband's name is Jaylal Ram, belongs to Gramin Mahila

Vikas Samittee Gadwa, group no-1, in the Panchayat of East Sareya, P.S.& Block Pahadpur and

District East Champarna. Shrikanti has a daughter. She was 14 years old, named Runa Kumara.

Shri Kanti's husband wanted to get his daughter married at this age. When the news reached

animator, she collected all the CBO members and reached her house. Shri Kanti's husband asked

all the CBO members who they were to decide what was right and what was wrong for him., and

that it was his family matter and told them not to interfere in his family. He tried to evict them

from his house. The CBO leader told Jaylal Ram that they were going to complain against him

and his family members that they were going to get a girl of age 14 married and that nobody would

be able to bail them out. As soon as all the women came out of the house, Jaylal Ram and Kanti

Devi came out of the house and told that they were poor and had no more money. They requested

them not to stop the marriage, but the CBO women told that after 4 years your daughter's body will

become ready to conceive and why they the couple) were trying to kill their daughter? Jaylal didn't

tell anything and after some time he apologised and promised that he would get his daughter

married after she is 18 years old.

12. Fighting for Dignity

Laichi Devi belongs to Dalit community and lives at Gadwa village; in the Panchayat of East

Sarey, Post Sareya Bazaar, P.S. & Block Paharpur and District East Champaran. She is a member

of Gramin Mahila Vikas Samittee, Gadwa-2 and her husband's name is Manoj Ram. Another

family of Husain Ram lives near her house. His family called her a witch. When anyone would be

sick in his house, he blamed Laichi Devi that she did something to his family. One day Husain

Ram's son Gauri Shankar got sick. Husain Ram came to her house and threatened to kill. Laichi

Devi told about this matter to the CBO members, who suggested her to first complain against him

and two CBO women went with her to the police station and complain against him, but the police

took the bribe from Husain and stopped the case. CBO women told they would get him punished

stop this type of superstition. The case is continuing.

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13. Fighting against dowry violence

Rita Devi is a member of Gramin MahilaVikas Samittee and she lives at the village of Malaha tola

in the Panchayat of Manjhariya, Post Bharwaliya, block Paharpur and District East Champaran.

Her husband's name is Dhiraj Sahani. One day on 10/12/2017, she came to the meeting and told

the CBO members that her husband always beat her for dowry and abused her also. He also told

her that to get out from his house and he would marry again. Some CBO women reached her house

and met her husband and tried to convince him, but he wasn't convinced and the next day he beat

Rita very badly. A CBO woman Prabhawati came to Rinki Devi's house and told that Rita's

husband again beat her. Rinki Devi, Prabha Devi, and Dhanawati Devi ran toward to Rita. When

they reached there, they saw that Rinki Devi fainted and fell down to earth. All the women

massaged her body with oil and told her husband that if something wrong happened with Rinki,

they would complain to the police and send him to jail. Rinki's husband apologized and told that he

would never beat Rinki. His husband had no money for treatment of Rinki so CBO women

collected money and got Rinki treated. After some days, CBO women went to her home with the

animator, she was happily living with her husband.


Patrenga Devi lives in Khairwa Chaubey Tola, in the Panchayat Tejpurwa, Post Sonwal Malaha,

Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. She is a member of Gramin Mahila Vikas Samittee,

Khairwa group-1. Her husband's name is Deba Ram. She belongs to Dalit community. She had

very less land, but before some time her two kattha land was captured by an uppar caste

JankYadav and he always fought with her. She had no legal knowledge so she was complaining

against jankYadav. One day Patrenga and her husband again reached to JankYadav and requested

him to return her land, but Jank and his family abused her and told her to get out from his house.

On 12/12/2017, Patrenga returned and discussed all matter with federation member Chanda Devi.

Chanda Devi collected all the CBO members and went to Jank's house with twenty women and

told him to return her land but Jank didn't agree so all twenty women reached her land and made a

hut. Next day Jank and his sons burnt her hut, which was built on the land. CBO women became

angry and called other CBO women from Banjaripatti. And they went together to the police station

and complained against Jank and his families' members. The police came with the BDO. All CBO

women became witness and told all the matter and showed the land paper. BDO and the police

officer told Jank to leave the land of Patrenga as that land was not his and to give a written apology

and tell sorry to Patrenga for your bad behaviour. Jank apologized publicly. Patrenga and her

husband again built the hut on her land and kept all domestic animals. She is very happy that all

CBO women supported her in times of grief.

15. Supporting to stop child labour

Antima belongs to Dalit community and lives at the village of Majhariya in the Panchayat of

Majhariya, Post Bharwaliya, P.S & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. She left the

school due to child labour. Her family condition is not good. Her mother is Sangita Devi and her

father is Ramkanth Paswan. Her parents did not send her to school; rather they made her work in

the field for livelihood. She told her mother that she wanted to go to school but nobody listened to

her plea. One day on 1/2/2018, the education committee, which had been formed in Panchayat-

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wise, they heard this matter. They reached her house and exhorted her parents and during the

exhorting they asked her mother till which class she had studied. She didn't say anything. Again,

they asked her that she is illiterate and how she felt when she requested others to fill-up the form

for her. She told that she felt very ashamed and guilty that she is illiterate. CBOs women asked if

she wanted to make her daughter the same as her. Her eyes were full of tears and she promised that

she would never send her daughter for child labour and every day she would let her go to school.

After two days she enrolled her daughter in school and coaching centre also. Antima is going to

school daily and she is happy.

16. Supporting Girl’s education

Anju Kumari was 13 years old. She lives at the village Banjaripatti in the Panchayat of West

Sareya, Post Victoriya Mission, P.S. & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. Her father's

name is Ajay ram and mother's name is Prabhawati. Her father is a farmer and her mother is house

wife and both are illiterate. Her brother studies in 5th

class. She left the school two years ago after

completing 5th

class. Her parents didn't want her to continue her studies. She did all the household

work, but Anju wanted to study. One day on 12/1/2018 she reached Gramin Mahila Vikas

Samittee's member Kalawati and told her to exhort her parents for her study. This matter, Kalawati

discussed in the CBO meeting and went to her house and tried to convince her parents. They told

that if their daughter wanted to study, they should send her to school. They told her mother that she

is illiterate and how she felt when she requested others to fill-up the form for her at the bank or the

block office. Her parents were listening very silently. Finally they got ready to send their daughter

to school and admitted her in Rajkiye Madha Vidayalay, Sareya Pratap tola. Anju is going to

school every day on time

17. Supporting New admission of Girl

Punita belongs to a poor family. She lives at Majhariya, Sahtola in the Panchayat of Majhariya,

Post Bharwaliya, P.S. & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. Her mother's name is

Marachho Devi and father's name is Laxaman Mahtoo. Punita was a 14 years old girl. She had

never gone to school. One day on 1/2/2018, in tola meeting, discussions on RTE were going on

and people were being made aware of girls' education and the benefits of education. In this

meeting Punita's parents participated. One CBO woman came to know that Puita had never gone to

school. This tola meeting was very effective so the next day the CBO women reached her house

and told about education of girl. Her parents got influenced, so they got ready to send her to school

and they admitted her in Rajkiya Masdhaya Vidayalay, Majhriya Newkatola. Now her studies are

going on.

18. Supporting to stop Child marriage

Rupa Kumari lives at the village of Dhukharamviriti in the Panchayat of Majhariya, P.S and Block

Pahadpur and District East Champarna. This case was taken up on 13/2/2018; she was a 13 years

old adolescent girl. She was a student in 5th

class. Her father's name is Lalalan Patel and mother's

name is Kishnawati. She has two brothers and two sisters. Her father is a house builder. Rupa

Kumari lives at village Dhukharam viriti. Rupa joined the Ladali Ki Muskan at her village. In the

Ladaliki Muskan some English and Hindi meaning were given for learning but, she was very weak

in studies and she wasn't able to learn quickly; her mother wanted that she learns something but

her father didn't want so and her mother is a member of Gramin Mahila Vikas Samittee group-2.

Before some time, Rupa's father tried to fix her marriage. When the Gramin Mahila Vikas

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Samittee CBO women came to know they reached her house and protested against child marriage

and exhorted Rupa's father. After some time, he agreed to delay the Rupa's marriage for five years

and told that he would get his daughter married after she completes her matriculation.


Khusboo Kumari belongs to the village Banjaripatti in the Panchayat Sareya, Post Victoria

Mission, Police station and Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. This case was taken up

on 12/4/2018. She was 15 years old and 8th

pass out. She left the school after 8th

class because her

parents didn't want her to continue her studies. Her father's name is America Ram and mother's

name is Koshila Devi and both are daily wage labourers. She has two brothers and two sisters. One

sister got married as a child three years before. Her father also wanted to get Khusboo married,

but Khusboo didn't want. One day Khusboo met her neighbour Kalawati, who is the member of

Gramin Mahila vikas Samittee CBO group and told all matter about her marriage being fixed.

Kalawati and two-three CBO women reached her home and talked with her parents and tried to

exhort them. First, they argued with that CBO women but after some time they agreed with CBO

women and told that if their daughter didn't want to get married then, they would get her married

her after she is 18 years old.

20. Supporting girls' education

Sandhya Kumari belongs to the Dalit community and her family's condition is not good. She lives

at the village of Gadawa in the Panchayat of Sareya, Post Sareya, P.S. & Block Pahadpur and

District East Champaran. This case was taken up on 15/5/2018. Her mother's name is Etawari Devi

and her father's name is Sukhdi Ram. Her mother is a member of the CBO and her father has

migrated to Punjab for family livelihood and her mother works in the land of a landlord and is a

daily wage labourer. She has two brothers and one sister. She was studying in the 8th

class last year

and she also joined the Ladali Ki Muskan Manch but her father made her leave her school and he

didn't allow her to participate in the LKM meeting. During the CBO meeting, the animator was

discussing on RTE and compulsory education for girls. At that time, one CBO member gave

information about Sandhaya. Animators suggested to the CBO women that they meet her father

and try to convince him. The next day four CBO members reached her home and met her father

and tried to convince him. First of all, they (her parents) were angry with their opinions and told

that higher studies were not needed; as their daughter had to now learn how to do household work

systematically, as she did not have to become a collector. The CBO women told that he had always

lived out of the station and several times, important documents and papers have come from the

government, at that time they would read them for his wife and tell her the types of all documents

and paper that came. When CBO women exhorted him, at that time, several villagers had gathered

there and they also agreed with their suggestion and they also supported the CBO women. Then

her father agreed to readmit her in school and after two days he reached 'Hira Sah higher school'

and got her readmitted. Now Sandhya is going to school daily.

21. Fighting against child marriage

Khushboo Kumari belongs to the Dalit community and she was 14 years old. She lives at the

village of Gadawa in the Panchayat of East Sareya, Post Sareya, P.S. & Block Pahadpur and

District East Champarna This case was taken up on 15/5/2018. Her mother's name is Sabiya Devi

and Father's name is Manoj Ram. She has two brothers and two sisters; she is the eldest one among

all her sisters and brothers. Her brothers and sisters are going to school. Khushboo was also

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studying in 8th

Class but her parents wanted to get her married early. Khushboo was very upset.

She wanted to go to school and complete her higher education, but her father made her leave

school. One day some guests came to meet Khusboo's parents for the wedding. This news reached

the CBO group, named Mahila Gramin Vikas Samittee, Sareya, of which her mother is a member.

All CBO women asked about this news from her mother Sabiya Devi. Sabiya Devi said to them,

"She didn't want but her father is rigid." Then all the women decided that Khushboo is very young

and she would not be able to bear the burden of the marriage, so all the women reached her house

and met her father. When her father heard that those women came to discuss about the marriage of

Khushoo, he became angry and at first, he was not ready to talk with them, and said, "Who are you

to interfere in my family life?". But then, he kept quiet as the women told that they were going to

the police station to complain against him and that if somebody would get his daughter married

under marriageable age, they would have to go to jail. After those CBO women convinced him, he

promised that he would get his daughter married after she is 18 and till then she will continue her

study. And, on 20/5/2018 her father readmitted her daughter in 9th

class in the 'Hira Sah High

School'. Now she is going to school happily.

22. Fighting for land

This case came from the village of Narktiya in the Panchayat of Enarwabhar, Post Bankat, P.S. &

Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. This case was taken up on 30/4/2018. There is one

CBO group named Gramin Mahila Vikas Samittee. Muni Khatoon is a member of this CBO group.

Muni has some land for livelihood but a powerful and rich person of Bankat named Manager

Ansari captured 15 dhur of their land. Due to that land they began to fight with each other. During

the fight, Manager Ansari came out with a sword. Muni Khatoon ran to save her husband when she

saw Manger Ansari going to attack with a sword. Muni saved her husband but suffered a big

wound on her hand, which was bleeding heavily. Muni Khatoon and her husband reached the

police station and a complaint was written against Manager Ansari. But, Ansari also reached the

police station and wrote a complaint against Muni Khatoon and her husband. Because he is

powerful, the police came to arrest Muni and her husband. At that time, all CBO women

collectively talked with the police officer who said that Manager Ansari had complained against

them. CBO women told that it was wrong. Then, collectively the CBO women went to Manger

Ansari's house and said, "If you don't withdraw your case and return her land, we would go to the

court and bear witness against you." Manager Ansari said, "Okay, I would return her land and

withdraw my case." After that, he withdrew the case and returned the land, which he had captured.


Bedamchi Devi belongs to the Dalit community and she is a member and the secretary of Gramin

Mahila Vikas Samittee, Sarey Khap Tola in the Panchayat of east Sareya, Post Noneya, P.S. &

Block Pahadpur and District East Chamaparan. She and her husband are daily wage labourers in

the land of a landlord. Her husband is very distrustful. When she went for sowing and harvesting

also, he used to threaten and abuse her. One day, she got ready to go to fill the form of KYC, but

her husband didn't allow her to go. She always got afraid of her husband because often her

husband beat and abused her. One day, when on 12/7/2018, she didn't participate in the meeting,

other CBO women asked about her. One CBO woman said, "Her husband beat her yesterday." A

CBO woman said, "After saving the money, let's go to meet her." All CBO women reached her

house. Her husband was sitting outside his house on a chair. All CBO women encircled him and

asked, "Why do you beat her? She is your wife, not an animal. She does everything for her

family." They called Bedamchi Devi and said, "Come with us; we will go to the police station."

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Bedamchi wasn't ready to go with her. One CBO woman said, "Look at your wife, she doesn't

want to go with us because you are her husband and, shame on you, learn some things from your

wife." At that time, he didn't say anything to the CBO members, but after this incident, till now he

hasn't beaten her and they are living together happily.

24. Saving a marriage

Suganti Devi belongs to the Dalit community and she is the daughter-in-law of Sugiya Devi, who

is a member of Mahila Gramin Vikas Samittee, Tilanga Tola in the Panchayat of Sareya, Post

victoriya Mission, P.S & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. This case was taken up on

6/7/2018. Suganti Devi's husband lives in the state of Kerala. Sugiya Devi got her son married

seven years ago, but Sungati Devi didn't conceive in these seven years but her husband loves her

so much, so even when Sugiya Devi tortured her, Suganti didn't say anything to her mother-in-law.

One day, her husband had come from his job, Sugiya Devi said to her son, "You leave Suganti and

get married again to continue your lineage, but her son wasn't ready for a second marriage, so

Sugiya Devi became angry with her son and said, "You expend all money on your wife. I don't

want your money. Get out of my house. She spoke loudly that some CBO women, who are

members of the same group, and live nearby came to her house. Sugiya Devi complained to them

about her son and daughter-in-law, but they came to know the whole matter. They tried to

convince Sugiya Devi, but she didn't agree. Then, the CBO members said, "Suganti will not go

anywhere. If you throw your daughter-in-law out of your house, we will complain against you to

the Sarpanch, the Mukhiya and if they don't listen, we will go to the police station." When Sugiya

Devi heard this, she became polite and said, "What did I do?" CBO members said to her son, "You

go to the hospital with your wife and get check-ups one." Her son agreed to their suggestion and

met the doctor. Now treatment is going on and Sugiya also doesn't say anything to her daughter-in-

law.

Jamalpur

1. Protesting against Child marriage

Phuliya Devi lives at the village of Ittwa in the Panchayat of Ittwa, Post Ittwa, P.S. & Block

Dharahara and District Munger and she belongs to the group no.63. This case was taken up on

20/7/2015. She is the Leader of this group and her husband's name is Sakal Dev Manjhi. She is

caring towards her children. Her daughter Preeti) goes to school. But her society people and her

family were pressurising her to get her daughter married but her daughter is not adult. She didn't

want that her daughter get married, she wanted that Preeti continues her study continue. One day

her son asked if she died, who would care for Preeti. Finally, she got ready for her daughter's

marriage. Meanwhile, she came in the training and she came to know that child marriage is a crime

and whoever would commit this crime would be punished for this crime. But her husband and her

son were not ready to stop the child marriage. All staff and unit in-charge and group member

suggested her to fix some money for her daughter. When her daughter will reach the age of 18 at

that time she can use this money for her daughter. She stopped thinking about the marriage of her

daughter. Now her daughter is going to school.

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2. Fighting against child abuse

Babita Devi is a member of Notre Dame Self-help group, group number-143 and her husband's

name is Gopi Mandal. She lives at the village of Ittwa, mandal tola in the Panchayat of Ittwa, Post

Ittwa, P.S. & Block Dharhara and District Munger. This case was taken up on 20/5/2016; Babita

and her husband are agricultural labourers. Her economic condition is not good. Babita has a

daughter, who is mentally abnormal. A while ago, a person had eve-teased her daughter, but to

keep the honour of the family, she didn't tell anyone about that incident. But in gender training, she

learnt not to keep quiet and speak against violence and complained to the police for justice. One

day, Babita and her husband went to the field. Her daughter was coming to the field with food for

them. An old man gave her daughter 50 rupees and tried to eve-tease her. She ran away from there

and told her mother. Babita decided that this time, she would not keep quiet. She would take some

action. The next day, Babita told her husband who called the old man. When the old man came,

Babita asked him about the incident, but he replied vaguely. Then Babita and her husband bound

his legs and hands with rope and beat him very badly, yet he didn't make a single noise. The next

day, when a person asked him what had happened, he had fallen into the sewage.

3. Fighting for justice against exploitation by the Hospital in-charge

Ruby Devi is a member of Notre Dame Group no-168, at the village of Mohanpur in the Panchayat

of Amari, Post Aura Bagicha, P.S & Block Dharahara and District Munger. This case waw taken

up on 22/5/2016, she has two children, and her husband's name is Jichu Das. Due to poverty, she

didn't save money with the CBO. She was wandering for a job. After searching for a job, she found

one in a hospital on the post of MAMTA. She was happy and started to save again in the CBO, but

after some month, suddenly she was terminated from her post. When she asked the hospital in-

charge officer for the reason, he told that her work in the hospital was bad. After this incident, she

came in the CBO meeting and narrated it and began to cry. All CBO women decided that they

would go to the hospital to meet the hospital in-charge officer. All the CBO women reached the

hospital and met him. He told that some people came from her village and gave information about

her. After a few days, the members of her village also behaved with her badly. Now all CBO

women supported her and again went to meet the hospital in-charge officer and told him to

reappoint Rubi on the post of MAMTA, otherwise they would go to the police station and

complain against him that without any investigation he terminated Rubi's job. After one week, the

hospital in-charge officer called her and reappointed her on the post of MAMTA. She was thankful

to CBO members.


Archana Devi, whose husband's name is Pankaj, belongs to Notre Dame SHG group, group

number-34, at the village of Mohanpur in the Panchayat of Amari, Post Aura Bagicha, P.S. &

block, Dharahara and District Munger. On 17/6/2016, Archana Devi said that she has a son, who

took birth one year before, and she was again pregnant this year. Her husband told her to for a

check-up for sex determination. If the foetus was a girl, they would abort her. Archana Devi said to

her husband that she was ready to go to the doctor but she would not get checked up for sex

determination. She would give birth to this last baby and then would undergo tubectomy

sterilisation operation. Her husband abused her and beat also and said he was not able to earn

enough money for the family. He said from where he would bring money for the marriage, if it

was a girl. Archana had gone to the gender sensitization training and she knew that female feticide

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is a crime. She told her husband that if he tortured her, she would tell all CBO women that he put

pressure on her to abort the foetus. Then her husband said that he would not say anything to her

and agreed for her tubectomy after the birth of the baby.


Rekha Devi lives at the village of Mohanpur in the Panchayat of Amari, Post Aura Bagicha, P.S.

& Block Dharahara and District Munger. Her Husband's name is Jay kishor Das and she is a

member of Notredam CBO number-34. Rekha is a domestic worker at the village level (Dai) and

leader of her CBO. She had come in the gender sensitisation training. After the training, she had

gone to a village. She saw a couple Pramila Devi and Sunil Kumar Das fighting together. Pramila

was not a member of her group. The cause was the birth of a girl; her husband always tortured her.

On 17/6/2016, that day Sunil was quarrelling with Pramila and saying that he would kill the female

child. When Rekha reached Pramila's house, Rekha asked Pramila about her husband beating her.

She said that it was not her fault. Rekha Devi told her husband that if he raised her like a boy, she

would support him like a boy. Sunil Kumar said that a female can never be a male. Rekha Devi

again said to Sunil that if a female child was a burden on him, he should give it to her, and she

would take care of it and if he tortured his wife and daughter then she would complain to the

police. Then the man said that he would not beat his wife and would take care of his daughter.


Sunita Devi, whose husband's name is Narayan Koda, belongs to Notre Dame Group number-117,

at the village of Aakhaul in the Panchayat of Aajivganj, Post Ghatwari, P.S & Block Dharahara

and District-Munger. This case was taken up on 23/6/2016; she is a hard working woman. Sunita

Devi is a labourer and cuts wood from the forest and sells it when she is not able to find any job.

But she always comes in the CBO meeting and fully participates. Her husband took to drinking.

He is also a labourer. He did not give her money but tortured her for money for liquor. Sunita Devi

took care of her children but it was difficult. He always asked Sunita to give money to him. When

Sunita didn't give, he beat her and told that he would kill her. Her in-laws neither protected her

nor said anything. For the protection of her life and children, she went to her mother's house. Her

family tried to make him understand, but he didn't change. One day he again begged for money

from her. She didn't give him money so he started to beat her. This time, Sunita Devi took a

bamboo stick for beating her husband, and her family members stopped her. By this time in Bihar,

liquor was fully banned. Now her husband doesn’t torture her.


Prema Devi belongs to the village of Ittwa in the Panchayat of Ittwa, Post Ittwa, P.S. & Block

Dharahara and District Munger. She is a member of CBO. She got motivated after the three days

of residential training. This case was taken up on 20/7/2016, she told that her husband Suresh

Mandal had always beaten her and he did not like her going to any training and other activities.

But she wanted to learn and improve her future and her family. She always thought that women

couldn't say anything to their husband assertively. But in the training, she came to know that she

could take action against violence. After training, she reached her home; her husband abused her

and asked her where she went. When she said that she went to the training, he started to beat her;

at that time, she said that if he beat her, she would call the police, he asked what the police would

do against him and continued to beat her. For her safety, she took an axe for self-protection.

Listening to her screams other CBOs members who lived near her house came and told her

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husband that if he beat her, they would file an FIR against him. One woman went and called the

Sarpanch. Sarpanch told that he would support the women for filing FIR against him. He (the man)

realised his guilt and apologised. After that day he did not beat her.

8. Raising voice against social violence

This case belongs to the village of Ittwa Mushari tola in the Panchayat of Ittwa, Post Ittwa, P.S. &

Block Dharahara and District Munger. Parwati Kumari is a 7-8 year child, she is the daughter of

Pabiya Devi, father Bulala Manjhi, member of 63. In April 2016, Bihar government prohibited the

sale of alcohol in Bihar, due to this reason alcohol sale is illegal, but in some places, some people

are selling alcohol illegally. When the Police come to know that someone was selling alcohol

illegally, they conducted a raid to that place there. One day the police came to Mushari tola and

raided some house, but they didn't find alcohol, they were asking about alcohol then Parwati told

about a person, who sold alcohol. The police went to his house and found many bottles of alcohol.

One day on 20/7/2016, again someone informed that in Musahari tola people prepared alcohol; the

police again came there and asked Parwati again. One lady used to take 5-6 bottles in her lap and

sit there. Parwati told about that lady. The police caught that lady and asked, who gave those

bottles to her, and finally, the main alcohol seller was caught. Due to this reason, many powerful

men near that tola were against the child and told they would kill her or kidnap her. All CBO

women were supporting her, and they were afraid for her life. They came to Jamalpur and told the

sister about the whole situation. The Sister asked other sisters and then, she (Parwati) was admitted

in Chaitnalya, Rajgir school where one sister conducted a school for Dalit girl children. Now she is

happily studying there and her parents are also happy. Due to Parwati, in Mushari tola, nobody is

selling alcohol.

9. Supporting to find the child

This case came from the village of Enarwa tola in the Panchayat of Ittwa, Post Ittwa, P.S. & Block

Dharahara and District Munger. There is a woman named Kundaniya Devi, her husband's name is

Prakash Manjhi. She is a member of the Notre Dame Self-help group-80. Her economic condition

is not good, so she does daily wage works. She has a 10-year-old son. One day she went to her

work and her son was at the home with neighbours. During this time, an old person died in that

village so villagers were going to the crematorium for cremation. According to some rituals, they

threw coins. Kundaniya's son got up and started collecting the coin and went behind them. When

Kundaniya reached her house she didn't find her son so she started to search for her son in the

village but she didn't find him. On 3/6/2017, the Animator reached that house for tola meeting

when the animators came to know that Kundaniya's son was lost. The Animator and a word

member went with her to the police station, but the police officer didn't write an FIR. Then all of

went to the G.R.P of Jamalpur. They took the photo of her son and made 1000 posters and stuck it

in each train and station. During this time animator reached Mukhiya's house and told all the

matter. The Mukhiya wrote a letter to the police station. Finally, the police wrote an FIR. After that

Sr. Anupriya met the Child welfare officer Shikha and Md Mahfuz. After two and three days Shika

called Sr. Anupriya and told that Kundaniya's son was in Nawada child welfare stay home. When

Sister talked with Nawada's welfare officer, she told that she would send the child to Munger child

stay home, but she didn't send. After 4-5 days, the animator and 2-3 members reached Nawada

child welfare office. That time Rajiv Nayan and Rajani Nayan told they wouldn't send the child, as

proof of present age of the child was required. Immediately, the animator called the Sister who

called the Munger child welfare officer and prepared a letter and with Adhar card of Kundaniya,

voter ID card photocopies and sent them to Nawada. Then Kundaniya met her son. They took the

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signature on all papers. Then they sent her son to Munger Child stay home and her son lived there

for two days. There, the signatures were taken on the documents. Finally, Kundaniya found her

son. She was very happy and told if they all hadn't supported her, she would have never seen her

son.


Ranjo Devi is a member of Notre Dame Self-help group no-168. She is very poor and belongs to a

Dalit family. Her husband's name is Ramchandar Das and she lives at the village of Mohanpur,

Panchayat of Amari, Post Aura Bagicha, P.S. & block Dharahara and District Munger. Her

husband always threatened her and behaved violently. She couldn't go anywhere. When she went

somewhere to work, her husband would beat and abused her and doubt on her accuse of her an

extra-marital affair. She came into the meeting when her husband was not at home. One day on

12/6/2017, the animator went to Mohanpur village for CBO meeting and called Ranjo Devi but she

didn't come. After meeting all CBO women reached her house and asked the reason for not

coming, she started weeping and told that her husband didn't want her to go anywhere, and if she

went anywhere, he beat her and that the previous night he beat her very badly. She opened her

clothes to show the scars on her body. When the CBO women asked where her husband was, she

told that he had gone to the bank. The CBO women told that they were going to the police station

to complain against him. She was afraid that again her husband would beat her, so she wasn't

ready, so the CBO women took her to the Sarpanch and the Mukhiya's house and told all the

matter. The next day, the Mukhiya and the Sarpanch came to her home and scolded her husband

and told that if he again beat Ranjo Devi, they would complain to the police against him and get

him expelled from the society. He apologized for his bad behaviour and promised that he would

not do again. The same day he took his wife to the hospital for treatment.

11. Protesting against exploitation by the neighbour

Anita Devi belongs to Notre Dame Group number-18. Her husband's name is Late Janardhan Ram

and she lives at the village of Ajivganj, Panchayat of Ajivganj, Post Ghatwari, P.S. & Block

Dhaharara and district Munger. This case was taken up on 19/6/2017. Anita Devi has four

daughters and one son. She has nurtured her children with great difficulty. Her neighbour was a

hoodlum man, who had always tortured her. When she went for work, the neighbour would free

his animals in her house to ruin her ration and cooked food. Whenever she talked with neighbour

about it, he abused her and intimidated her. At last, she became very fed up and went to Delhi with

her children to her relatives. After some time, she came back, but her neighbour didn't stop

torturing her. One day he killed two to three hens kept in front of her house and complained to the

police against her. One policeman came to her house and asked for the details. Anita Devi narrated

the whole matter, but the policeman didn't believe her and told her that she would go to the police

station. Anita Devi called all the CBO women. All the women went to the neighbour's house and

asked him to withdraw the case but he didn't agree. All CBO women went to the Sarpanch's house

and discussed about the whole matter. The Sarpanch and all the women went to the police station

with Anita Devi and told that her neighbour had put false allegations upon her and told the whole

matter to the police in-charge. The Sarpanch told the police in-charge to drop the case because the

Sarpanch would judge the matter. The Sarpanch called the Panch and the Mukhiya and decided

that if Anita's neighbour tortured her again, they would punish him. Now Anita Devi is living

happily with her children.

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12. Raising voice against exploitation by Bank Manager

Domni Devi is a member of Notre Dame Self-help group-16. Her husband's name is Gunsagar

Manjhi. She lives at the village Chhotikoyalo, Panchayat Mahagam, P.S & Block Dharahara and

District Munger. This case was taken up on 21/6/2017. She belongs to a Dalit family and her

family's condition is not good. She works in Middle school of Koyalo. Her payment is issued by

the bank. One day she went to the Bank for withdrawing money and filling the withdrawal form,

but the Bank Manager told her that the link was not working and so to come on the next day. She

returned home. Domni Devi is an active woman and she participates in each meeting and training.

The next day, Domni Devi again went to the Bank but the Bank manager gave the same response

and told her to come on Monday. Domni Devi became angry with the Bank Manager and told that

he always got rid of her by telling her to come later. Meanwhile, her son felt sick and she had no

money. She went again for withdrawing money. When she reached the cash counter, the cashier

told her that the link ws not working and so to come on the next day. Domni Devi got angry and

lost her temper and cried on the Bank Manager that why the government kept him there, that if all

bank machines were not working and money can't be withdrawn, she would lock the bank, and that

they always disturb the people. Domni Devi quarrelled with the Bank Manger. The Bank Manager

called the police. Rest of the public was afraid but Domni Devi wasn't and told all the matter to the

police officer, who talked with the Bank Manager and at last Domni Devi, could withdraw her

money. After her, rest of the public quarrelled with the bank manager and withdrew their money.

She spoke out against exploitation and became a role model for the villagers.

13. Fighting against exploitation by buffalo owner

Zarina Devi is a member of Notre Dame Self-help group no-20. Her husband's name is Aanandi

Manjhi and lives at the village of Banarkoyalo in the Panchayat of Mahgama, P.S. & Block

Dharahara and District Munger. This case was taken up on 21/6/2017. She belongs to a Dalit

family and her family's condition is not good. She is a daily wage labourer and hardly had she used

to save money for deposit in CBO. She took a loan from the federation and rented a buffalo and

took care of it. Now her income was increasing and after a few months her buffalo gave birth to a

young buffalo. She was very happy but this news reached the buffalo owner who came and

demanded the young buffalo and quarrelled with Zarina Devi. She told that he was demanded

money for the young buffalo, and she would pay him, but he wasn't ready for it. Zarina called the

CBO women and discussed all the matter. The CBO women persuaded him and at last, he got

ready. Now she had two animals and she was very happy. One day she went to the field to get

grass for the buffalo. When she came to the house, she saw her buffalo was sick and within a few

days it died. When this news reached the buffalo owner, he came and accused her of killing his

buffalo. He complained to the police station. Now the police exploited Zarina. Zarina discussed all

the matter with the CBO and federation member. CBO members and Zarina reached the Sarpanch's

house and told all the matter. The Sarpanch went to the police station with Zarina and CBO

members. After the discussion with the police, the Sarpanch solved the problem. Now she is happy

that CBO women supported her in sorrow and increased her confidence.

14. Fighting against violence by land owner

Rinki Devi is a member of the Notre Dame Self-help group no-126. She lives at the village of

Ittwa in the Panchayat of Ittwa, Post Ittwa, P.S. & Block Dharahara and District Munger. Her

husband's name is Anil Mandal. Rinki Devi and her family members are daily wage labourers. In

the harvesting season, Rinki was working under a landowner on his land with several women. One

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day on 20/1/2018, she reached early in the field. Nobody came for harvesting, so Rinki started

cutting the gram greens. Suddenly, the landowner came and didn't say anything and hit her on her

hand with a bamboo lathi and continued to beat her, during which all the women came. Some

women were members of the CBO, they suggested to come to the federation secretary Bibha'

house. All the women reached Bibha's house with Rinki Devi. When Bibha Devi saw Rinki, blood

was continuously flowing. Bibha wrote a letter to the Police officer and sent the women to the

police station and called the police officer, who read the letter and told that he would take action

against him till evening. Rinki went to the hospital and got treated. The next day, the police officer

called Rinki in the police station so Rinki reached the police station with four and five CBO

women. The landowner was already there. The police officer talked with both parties and got them

to compromise. The landowner apologised to Rinki and gave ten thousand rupees and the police

officer also took the penalty from landowner.

15. Supporting to Stop child marriage

This case belongs to Ajivganj village in the Panchayat of Ajvganj, Post Ghatwari, P.S. & Block

Dharahara and District Munger. This case was taken up on 29/1/2018. Khushoo Kumari is a 16

years old adolescent girl studying in Class 10. She is also a member of Ladali ki Muskan. Her

mother's name is Mamta Kumari and father's name is Yadunandan Yadav. She wrote the

examination but, she failed so her father made her left school. After one or two months of leaving

the school, her father started to search for a groom for her. She was very upset because she wanted

to continue her studies. One day animator went to Ajivganj for conducting the Kishori meeting.

When animators didn't see Khushoo Kumari, they asked about her than they came to know. They

called Khushoo. Khushoo began to cry and told all the matter about her marriage being fixed. That

day the animators discussed to stop the child marriage and made all Kishoris aware. Khushoo went

to her home and told her father that she didn't want to get married and will continue her studies,

but her father didn't agree and fixed her marriage. Khushoo told about her marriage to the

animators. The animator reached Khushoo's house and exhorted her parents. At last, they agreed

and postponed the marriage. Now Khushoo again wrote the examination of 10th

class and she

passed. Now she is continuing her studies, and she tells that she won't get other adolescent girls

married.


Chameli Devi lives at the village of Ittwa in the Panchayat of Ittwa, Post Darathpur, P.S. & Block

Dharahara and District Munger and she is a member of Notre Dame SHG group no-143. She

belongs to the Dalit community and her economic condition is not good. Her husband is a migrant

and daily wage labourer in another state, his name is Anil Mandal. This case was taken up

9/2/2018. Chameli Devi has four sons and two daughters. She took the loan from her group and

brought two goats and earned some money. After some time, she brought a cow. A little money

from cow's milk and a little money from work in the agriculture field is her earning. One day when

she came from the field, her elder son demanded some money but she had no more money and she

asked the reason for his demand. Her son became angry and abused and beat her and he put the

restriction on her mother that she wouldn't go anywhere. When she went anywhere, her son would

beat her. So, due to fear Chemali Devi didn't go anywhere, but this problem she didn't share with

others. For celebrating the International Women's Day and preparing some activities and drama,

CBO women selected her also, but she was not ready to participate, so CBO women asked why she

was not supporting them. She started to cry and shared all the matter. Then the CBO women and

the animator reached her house and asked her son why he tortured his mother. As soon as the CBO

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women asked this question, he started to abuse all the CBO women. They told that they were going

to complain against him in the Police station that he beat and abused his mother. Chameli Devi's

son angrily told that he was not afraid of any person. CBO women came out from Chameli Devi's

house and began going to the police station. When he saw that they were really going to the police

station, he came and told that now he wouldn't beat and abuse her. CBO women again went to

Chameli' house and asked him to apologise to his mother and promise not to do it again. Chameli

Devi's son apologised publicly and promised that now he would never abuse and beat his mother.

That time, Chemali Devi's eyes were full of tears. She participated in women's day celebration,

thanks to the CBO women.

17. Saving the girl

This case came from the village of Sakhual in the Panchayat of Aajivganj, Post Ghatwari, P.S. &

Block Dharahar and District Munger. This case started last year. At that time, she was seventeen

years old. She was studying in 9th class. Pabiya's mother is a member of CBO and she is a very

sensible woman. During that time, Pabiya's mother hired a male tutor who came to her house to

teach her. Pabiya is the member of Ladali ki Muskan. One day Pabiya's parents were talking about

her marriage, so she heard and refused to get married and shared this matter with her tuition

master. Her master advised her to continue her studies, as she could become something after she

completed her studies, as there would be several options for her. Pabiya took the mobile number of

her master, and in her free time, she talked with her master, hiding from her parents. Slowly-

slowly they got attracted to each other. In February 2018, one day her mother came to know of this

so she stopped the tuition of Pabiya and searched more information about the master. The master

was married and had two children, but Pabiya did not know about this, and she continued to talk to

him. All this matter, her mother shared with the animator who made her aware of the racket of men

who married tribal girls and after marriage sold the girls out of state for prostitution. Pabiya came

to know that her master is already married and has two children. After that, she stopped talking

with her master and she again started her studies and sat for the board exam but unfortunately, she

couldn't clear her exam. She understood that education is a must for a bright future and if she

hadn't got distracted, she could have passed the examination.

18. Fighting against child marriage

Sima Kumari lives at the village of Panrukhi in the Panchayat of Ittwa, Post Ittwa, P.S. & Block

Dharahara and District Munger. This case was taken up on 15/3/2018. She belongs to the Dalit

community and she is 16 years old. Her parents are daily wage labourers. Sima has three sisters

and four brothers. She is studying in 10th

class and she is a member of Ladali Ki Muskan. During

the last month, her parents wanted to get her married but she didn't want so she refused, but her

parents didn't agree with her wish. One day her parents invited guests as a part of finding a suitable

groom for their daughter. Luckily, Sima's aunty reached her home for some personal work and she

lives in Sardhapur and is a member of a Notre Dame CBO. Sima discussed all the matter with her

and told that she wanted to go for higher studies but her parents didn’t agree. Her aunty tried to

exhort her parents that Sima is not an adult yet, and if they pressurized her, she could take a wrong

step or she might complain against them. Sima knew so very well because she is a member of

Ladali Ki Muskan Manch and the Notre Dame staff would support her. If they get her married

after she turns 18 then they will get Kanya Vivah yojana benefit. Her parents didn't speak anything

at that time. Her father met the guest and told that he had decided to not get her married as she was

not an adult. Till then she would go to school and after this, they sent their daughter to ICEC for

HRT studies. Sima is happy and she is going to school.

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19. Fighting for Justice

Mamta Devi belongs to a poor family. She lives at the village of Ajivganj, in the Panchayat of

Ajivganj, Post Ghatwari, P.S. & Block dharahara, and District Munger. This case was taken up on

16/6/0218. Her family's economic condition is not good. She is a member of a Notre Dame CBO

and she is a member of the governing body too. She has taken good decisions for her CBO of her

Panchayat. She is an active and social woman and she participates in all meeting and activities

whichever are conducted by ICEC. Once upon a time, in her village, two families fought together.

During the fight, one girl's head got hit. Neither villagers nor any PRI members supported them,

they themselves reached the government hospital to get the girl treated. After her treatment, that

family reached the house of Sarpanch and shared all the matter with the Sarpanch, but he didn't

support them and told that them to solve their problem themselves. After that, they all reached the

police station. Unfortunately, at that time the police officer wasn't there and nobody filed an FIR.

They were coming from the police station. On the way, Mamta met those people asking the reason

for going to the police station. After listening to all the matter, she again reached the house of

Sarpanch and told that he would have to take up this case. If he didn't, they would go to the police

station and complain against him. After that, the Sarpanch called both the parties and listened to all

the matter and as a punishment, Rs. 5000 was to be paid as fine by the culprit and warning was

given that if both parties fight, both will go to jail.


Mamata Devi lives at the village of Aajivganj in the Panchayat of Aajivgnaj, Post Ghatawari, P.S.

& Block Dharahara and District Munger, is a member of a Notre Dame CBO group from 2015; she

is an active woman and her husband's name is Yadunandan Yadav. This case was taken up on

8/8/2018. She knows that torture by husband is not the fate of a woman, but it is domestic

violence. Mamata has one sister. Mamata is elder and second is Sandhya. Sandhya has four

children but her husband always beat and tortured her. Last month, her husband beat her brutally

and threw her out of his house. Sandhya came to her mother's house with her four children. When

Mamta came to know of the incident, she went to her mother's house to meet her sister and

discussed on the situations. The next day, in the cluster meeting in Aajivganj, Mamata shared all

the matter with the animator and coordinator. The coordinator wrote an application to the Sarpanch

and sent a copy to the police station. Mamta Devi reached the police station directly and

complained against her sister's husband. The Police officer called her husband and scolded him

and said," If you beat your wife and torture her, I will lock you in jail, and bring your wife and

children to your house." On the same day, Mamta's brother-in-law went to Mamta's mother's house

and brought his wife and children from there. Mamata is happy that she is a member of the Notre

Dame CBO.

Sheikhpura


Kavita Devi lives at the village of Akauna in the Panchayat of Gagri, Post Hasaudi, P.S & Block

Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. Kavita Devi is a member of a CBO – Jyoti, and her husband

is Ramashray Yadav. This case was taken up on 10/6/2016. She has 3 sons and 3 daughters. The

sister-in-law of Kavita quarrelled with her for small things and Kavita's parents-in-law also used to

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pressurise her and supported her sister-in-law. One day, Kavita's sister-in-law and her (sister-in-

law's) husband, Adhik Yadav started fighting with Kavita and physically abused her. She got a

deep wound in her head. Later, Kavita informed the other members of the CBO, who decided to

help her. They went to Adhik Yadav and persuaded him to apologise, but he refused. Then, the

members went to the police station and filed an FIR against Adhik Yadav and his wife (Kavita's

sister-in-law). The police came to their home and inquired them about the fight and Adhik was

found guilty. He had to pay for Kavita's medical treatment and care as the penalty and he was

made to sign an agreement and he was warned that if he beat Kavita again, he would look in the

jail. Since then, the family has been living without any quarrels and scuffles.


Baby Devi is a member of Soonam CBO at the village of Matokhar in the Panchayat of Kare, Post

Kare, P.S. & Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura.This case was taken up on 23/7/2016. One

day she saw a CBO member Asha going somewhere while crying. Baby Devi chased her, and

stopped her and asked why she was crying and where she is going. Asha Devi told Baby that her

husband beat her without any reason, so she is going to her mother's house and will never come.

Baby Devi persuaded her and told that she would talk to her husband. Baby Devi and three-four

CBO women reached Asha Devi's house and talked to her husband. Her husband told that she

didn't do any work for the neatness of the house. Asha Devi told that she becomes very tired after

working in the field and cooking and doing other household work, so she wasn't able to pay

attention to neatness of home, and she already has three children. Baby Devi convinces her

husband that he also lives in the house and Asha does all the work for her family; he could also

help Asha in household works. Baby Devi told her husband not to beat his wife, because she is

also a member of the family. If he beats her, they would complain to the police. Now Asha Devi

and her husband both help each other.

3. Supporting to stop Child labour

Radha lives at the village Eksari inn the Panchayat of Nagar Parishad, Post Sheikhpura, P.S. &

Block and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up 3/7/2016. Radha is an adolescent girl. Her

mother was a member of the Shivani group, and her mother's name is Late Parwati Devi and her

father's name is Late Bhagwan Paswan, but her mother and father are no more. Radha has three

elder brothers and she lives with her elder brother and does the entire household work. When she

went anywhere her sister-in-law quarrelled with Radha's brother that who would do household

work. Shivani group members conducted a meeting and all decided that Radha would be sent to a

residential school of MSK. All the women persuaded Radha and her brother that Radha is a child

and if she would be educated, she could do some work to earn money. Radha's brother agreed and

sent Radha to MSK residential school. After Radha's was going to school, her sister-in-law

pressurized Radha's brother that he called Radha back and that Radha would not live in MSK,

otherwise who would do the household work. One day Radha's brother came to MSK and told that

he wanted to take Radha back with him. At that time, the MSK staff tried to convince her brother

that Radha is a child and at her age, she should study not work. If he made Radha work, they

would complain to the Child protection officer. Her brother met her and asked whether she wanted

to go with him. She said she didn't. Her brother returned. Radha is living in MSK.

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4. Fighting against social violence over Land

This happened on 20/9/2016 at the village of Matokhar in the Panchayat of Kare, Post Kare, P.S.

& Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 20/9/2016. Eleven CBOs

group at the village of Matokhar. This village is spread in a large area. These villagers belong to

many castes in the west side of the village in a hilly area. In the west side of the village, the

government has granted lands to 40 SC caste families in 1979. All 40 families have red slips,

which indicate that a particular plot of land has given by the government. Every year, they paid the

tax for land but they are not able to build a proper house for living, because they do not have more

money. Some time ago, some powerful caste villagers captured their land with hilly stones and

when those families went there to remove the stone then, the upper caste villagers threatened them

that if they removed the stones, they would kill them, but the women didn't stop and continued

removing the stone. These women are also the owners of the land, which the upper caste villagers

have captured. At that time they came and abused the women and beat them. The women went to

the BDO and the CO's office and wrote an application and attached all slips of land tax photo-

copies. CBO women are continuously fighting for their land.


Gaya Devi belongs to Shubham CBO group; her husband’s name is Mahesh Ram. She has five

daughters and two sons. She is a labourer and works in the job of breaking mountain. She has a

little piece of land but three months ago someone captured it and due to this reason there is the

conflict between both the parties. One day, someone murdered her younger son who was studying

in 9th

class and threw the corpse in front of her door. Seeing her son’s dead body, Gaya Devi lost

her mental balance, and the person, who murdered her son, had thrown her elder sister’s slippers

and dupatta near Chandan’s dead body and the whole blame came upon on her elder daughter Sita

Devi. Police arrested Sita Devi. All matter has been discussed in CBO meeting. In this meeting,

CBO women came to know that Uday Yadav has murdered Chandan. All CBO women

complained against Uday Yadav. Now, this case is continuing in the court. Gaya Devi’s mental

condition is not good so she doesn't come to the meeting.


Munni Devi, her husband's name is Ramashish Mandal lives at the village of Lakshna in the

Panchayat of kare, Post kare, P.S & Block Sheikhpura and district Sheikhpura. This case was taken

up on 20/11/2016. She has two sons and one daughter. Munni Devi is the second wife of

Ramashish, whose first wife died. Ramashish always used to beat Munni Devi without any reason.

She shared the whole matter with group's member of Gudiya Devi. All CBO members reached her

house to meet her husband. All CBO women exhorted her husband, but his behaviour didn't

change. He told CBO women that he beat his wife and also told did not to interfere in his personal

life. At last, CBO members went to the Sarpanch. On 20/11/2016, the Sarpanch called a meeting

and the matter was discussed and an agreement was done that Ramashish will never torture Munni

Devi.

7. Fighting for justice

Urmila Devi lives at the village of Mahadev Nagar in the Panchayat of Nagar Nigam, Post

Sheikhpura, P.S & Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. Her husband's name is Shiv Shankar

ram; he has a pond in the village of Chunnipur for his fishery business. For the saving of fish, he

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had installed an electric current in the pond. A dweller of Chunnipur, named Aakashi Devi is a

member of Vina group's member. One day her husband went to the pond to refresh himself. He

didn't know about the electric current in the pond, so he died after he touched the pond’s water. All

CBO women and the animator decided to go to Urmila's house. On 12/12/2016, all members

reached Urmila's house and blamed her husband. Urmila's husband got fear so he immediately

wrote 2 kattha lands in the name of Akashi Devi and took all burdens of funeral and the last rituals

of dead body for salvation.


Kiran Devi is a member of Laxmi group at the village of Kriho, in the Panchyat of Kare, Post

Kare, P.S & Block Sheikhpura, and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 15/12/2016.

Kiran Devi has a sister-in-law, named Tussi Kumari who got married to Ganesh Mistri of Bhdarthi

village. She has two children. After the birth of the third child, she was not able to give attention

on household work due to caring for her children, so her in-laws tortured her and her husband also

beat her. One day she came to her mother's house with her children. Her brother’s wife listened to

the whole matter and she discussed about it in the CBO meeting. All CBO members suggested that

the matter should be kept in a Panchayat meeting which was done but in vain. Now Kiran and

Tussi complained in the police station and got an FIR filed against Tussi Devi's husband. The

police arrested him. After five months, Tussi Devi gave a statement that now her in-laws behaved

normally and she was living with her in-laws in their house. Ganesh Mistri was released. After the

release he kept the two children and threw her out of the house and demanded money which was

spent on his release. Now, Tussi Devi lives in her mother's house with her two-years-old-child.

9. Fighting against caste discrimination

Manju Devi lives at the village of Akauna in the Panchayat of Gagri, Post Hasaudi, P.S & Block

Sheikhpura, and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 10/4/2017. Her husband's name is

Lakhan Paswan, is the member of Radha CBO. She had no hand pump for drinking water, so she

brought water from a hand pump. This hand pump was near Bhola Yadav' house. When Manju

Devi and other family members went to bring water, Bhola Yadav abused and beat them. One day

Manju Devi went to bring water; that time Bhola Yadav' elder son beat her. Several villagers came

there and tried to convince Bhola and his son. In this village, Yadav community is the dominating

caste, so nobody used to say anything, but this time, the CBO women were ready to go to the

police station to complain against him, but many villagers persuaded them also that it was the last

time. If they (Yadav) do anything, then they (villagers) will support in complaining against them

(Yadav).

10. Fighting for justice against Sexual harassment

Pushpa Devi lives at the village of Barui, in the Panchayat of Pachna, Post & P.S Pathraita, Block

Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 13/4/2017. Pushpa belongs to

Pushpa CBO in Barui village. Pushpa has three brother-in-laws. One day Pushpa Devi called her

sister Khushboo for supporting in household work because she already has three children and a big

family, so there is a lot of work in the sowing and harvesting season. One day, nobody was in

home; at that time Pushpa Devi's brother-in-law tried to sexually harass Pusha's sister Khushboo.

This matter Khushboo told to her sister Pushpa. Pushpa discussed this matter with some neighbour

CBO woman. In the next meeting Pushpa and the CBO woman discussed all the matter. Finally all

the women decided that Pushpa would get her sister married with her brother-in-law. Pushpa and

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her husband got both of them married. Pushpa's father-in-law and mother-in-law didn't accept this

marriage and continued to torture her, so Pushpa and some CBO women supported her sister and

Pushpa's father also supported her daughter and filed an FIR against Pushpa's parents-in-law. The

case is going on.


This case belongs to the Dalit community at the village of Chunipur in the Panchayat of Puraina,

Post Sheikhpura, P.S & Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on

22/4/20117. Vipin Devi's daughter Mamta Kumari was studying in a village school. Chunipur

village is dominated by the caste Yadavs' community. One day Mamta was going to school. She

was blamed for stealing a pen of Mohan Yadav's son. Mohan Yadav came to school and beat

Mamta. Mamta came back home and narrated the incident to her mother. Mamta's mother went to

Mohan Yadav's home. There was a person, whose name is Adhik Yadav. Adhik Yadav saw her

mother, and he abused her and beat her also. Mamta's mother Vipin Devi came and called all the

CBO members. All the CBO members collected the Dalit tola women. Approx. 30-35 women

reached the police station and filed an FIR against Mohan Yadav and Adhik Yadav. When Mohan

Yadav came to knw that women have complained against him, he reached Vipin Devi's house and

told her to withdraw the case, but Vipin Devi did not agree, because she wanted justice.


Khaida Khatoon lives at the village of Pind, in the Panchayat of Gagari, Post Chewada, P.S &

Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura, This case was taken up on 24/4/2017. Khaida khatoon,

whose husband's name is Shafi Ansari, is the member of Simran CBO and she is the treasurer of

the group. There was a land dispute between Khaida khatoon and Parwez Ansari. One day the

whole family of Parwez Ansari came to Khaida khatoon's home and beat her and hit her on the

head, due to which she got a deep wound and she bleed excessively. The next day, all the CBO

members came together and called a Panchayat meeting. After listening to all the matter, the

Panchayat gave the decision in favour of Khaida khatoon and imposed a fine on the Parwez

Ansari, and suggested that they would solve the land dispute in court and warned that if they

fought again, the Panchayat would take strict action.

13. Fighting against dowry violence

Shanti Devi lives at the village of Puraina in the Panchayat of Puraina, Post Sheikhpura, P.S. &

Block Sheikhpura, and District Shiekhpura. This case was taken up on 25/4/2017. Shanti Devi

husband's is Ramesh Mistri, is a member of Kali CBO. Shanti Devi's son Ashok Mistri, tortured

his wife for dowry, and beat her. Sangita Devi was also a member of Kali CBO. One day he

pulled her wife and pushed her out of his house. She didn't say anything about this matter and went

to her mother's house and discussed everything with her father. Her father came to her mother-in-

law's house and at that time Ramesh Mistri told that he had to give all the dowry money, which he

promised. At that time, a CBO woman heard all the matter and she told Sangita that she should

discuss all the matter in the cluster meeting. Sangita discussed all the matter in the next cluster

meeting. All the women persuaded Shanti Devi, who told that her son created the entire problem.

All CBO women decided to meet Ashok Mistri. One day 5-6 women reached Ashok Mistri's house

and tried convincing him, but he wasn't ready to accept his guilt and one day he again beat Sangita.

This time all Kali CBO women went to the police station with Sangita and complained against

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Ashok Mistri and his mother and father also. The case is going on. CBO women are supporting

Sangita.


Neetu Devi lives at the village of Dharampura, in the Panchayat of Hathiyawan, Post Sheikhpura,

P.S. & Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 26/4/2017. Neetu

Devi is a member of the CBO – "Karuna", and her husband is Jogi Ram. She has a son and a

daughter. Her parents-in-law, Doman Ram and Munarki Devi, also live with them. Due to their

poor economic condition, she and her husband used to earn their livelihood by working in a stone

quarry on the hill. Her parents-in-law asked the couple for money which was more than their

income. The couple didn't give them the money, so her Neetu's) mother-in-law would abuse her

(Neetu) verbally and physically. When they still refused to give the money, they were turned out of

their house with their children. Neetu started living with her family in the village in some other

house on rent. She discussed her problem in the monthly meeting of the CBO, who decided to help

her. They tried to persuade her parents-in-law, but they refused to provide home to the couple.

Then, the CBO members threatened to file an FIR against Doman Ram and Munarki Devi, who

realised their mistake and apologised and repented for it by letting Neetu live with her family in

their home. The CBO members warned her parents-in-law that if it happend again, they would

directly file an FIR against them. Now, Neetu lives with her family happily.

15. Fighting against domestic violence by In-laws due to female baby's birth

Rina Devi is a member of the CBO at the village of Pathraita, in the Nagar Panchayat, Post

Pathratia, P.S & Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 5/9/2017.

She has three children, one is a girl and two are sons. Her husband's Bholi Paswan and husband

and wife both are daily wage labourers in farming field. Before two year Rina got her daughter

married with Uday Paswan at Diha village. For two years both lived with each other. Before one

year she conceived and bore a little girl, but her in-laws weren't happy and when she came from

hospital, every one tortured her and abused her. She came to her mother house sadly and told all

the matter. Her mother told her that she should not have come there. When she heard this, she ran

away from there to commit suicide on the railway line. Her family members saved her. Rina Devi

discussed this matter in CBO meeting. All CBO women decided to call the Panchayat Sabha. They

met the Mukhiya and the Sarpanch. After some time, a Panchayat Sabha was conducted and her

husband was also called and a compromise was done between both parties and an agreement was

done with Rina Devi's son-in-law that he would not do again and take care of Rina Devi's daughter

and her daughter. Uday brought his wife and his daughter but after two-three months he again

started to beat her and nobody saved here. She ran away from her in-law's house to her mother's

home. Now her mother and the CBO members complained against Uday Paswan. Her in-laws

wanted to compromise but she wasn't ready for it. The case is continuing.


Sunita Devi is a member of Sugandha group, She lives at the village of Barui in the Panchayat of

Pachana, Post Pathraita, P.S & Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up

on 26/6/2017. Sunita Devi is also a Panch. Sunita Devi has no children. Her husband's name is

Manoj Bhagat. Sunita Devi came to Patna centre for the training on Good governance for Elected

PRI Representatives. After three days she returned to home after training, her husband didn't ask

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anything and began to beat her. A deep wound was formed on the head of Sunita Devi due to the

incident. Shanti Devi ran to save Sunita and called other CBO members who lived near her house.

They took her to the hospital for her treatment. After returning from the hospital, the CBO

members reached Sunita Devi's house and called Sunita's husband and told that they were going to

the Police station and would complain against him, and when the police officer would beat him, he

would feel the pain of beating and all the women came out from Sunita's house. Her husband came

from behind and told that he would never beat her. CBO women told that he would have to take

care of the treatment of Sunita. If he would do that again, they would surely go to the police

station. He is still taking care of Sunita, but Sunita doesn't talk with her husband and cooks her

food separately.


Parvati Devi lives at the village of Barui in thePanchayat of Pachana, Post Pathraita, P.S & Block

Sheikhpura, and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 13/8/2017. Parvati Devi husband's

name is Pyare Yadav. She is the member of a CBO – Minta. She taught her children and then

married them off when they were of age. Her youngest son, Vikas Yadav, was married to Rani

Kumari of Aliganj village. Rani Devi gained love and respect from all her in-laws but her husband

did not love her. They had 2 daughters but, yet Vikas did not work to earn. He used to gamble the

whole day with other men and would fight with the family for small things and money. He used to

beat the family members. If he didn't get money, he would steal jewels and money, which

belonged to other family members, for gambling. Whenever Rani would persuade him to mend his

ways, he would beat her and his daughters. One day, he forced them to leave his house. Then the

members of the CBO, Minta, persuaded him to let Rani and her daughters live with him. When he

again beat her the next day, the women of the CBO filed an FIR against him in the police station.

He was jailed for 6 months. When he got out of jail, he resumed beating his wife and daughter.

Then, Rani left him and went back with her children to live with her parents.

18. Supporting girl's admission

Pinki Devi lives at the village of Jamalpur in the Nagar Panchayat of District Sheikpura. This case

was taken up on 21/10/2017. Pinki Devi lives with her husband Santosh Kumar and a son and 2

daughters. They were living in poor economic conditions. Since Pinki has joined the CBO, her

economic condition has improved. Her elder daughter Gudiya Kumari, who was studying in

Utkramit Secondary School, Jamalpur, passed Class 8 and applied to Islamia High School for

admission in Class 9. The teacher at Islamia High School tore up her application form and her

transfer certificate and threw them. The teacher said that the form and the certificate was not

original, and Gudiya was not admitted. Gudiya informed her mother, Pinki who informed the other

members of the CBO who went to Islamia High School with Gudiya and submitted Gudiya's

application to the Principal and threatened to complain against him to the D.E.O. if he did not

admit Gudiya. Then, the principal assured them that he would admit Gudiya and requested them to

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go home. Then, Gudiya was admitted. Hence, a group of women enlightened Gudiya's life with

education.

19. Fighting for wages

Tulwa Devi is a member of a CBO – Nagina, and her husband is Dheka Manjhi. She lives at the

village of Chunipur in the Panchayat of Puraina, Post Pathraita, P.S Lorma & Block Sheikhpura,

District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 12/1/2018. Due to the poor economic condition of

her household, all the members of the family worked as labourers in some temporary work or at

the brick kiln for livelihood. Last year, Tulwa, her husband Dheka, and her son Naresh were

working as labourers in the fields of Shamdev Yadav. They had been working in his field for 15

days. When the three approached Shamdev for their wages, he gave some lame excuses to avoid

payment to them. One day, Tulwa's son, Naresh went to ask for his wages but was beaten instead

by Shamdev and his son Funtoos. When Tulwa went to them, she too got beaten and was told that

they would not be given their wages. She returned home and informed the other members of the

CBO. Members of 3 CBOs – Reena, Veena and Nagina – decided to go to the Mukhiya of the

village. They went to the Mukhiya – Kanchan Devi – and informed her. The Mukhiya summoned

Shamdev and Funtoos Yadav and inquired them. They were found and declared guilty through the

inquiry. Shamdev had to give the wages of Tulwa, Dheka, and Naresh to them. He had to pay ₹

500 as a penalty. Shamdev and Funtoos also had to do some sit-ups as a punishment. They

promised never to misbehave with any labourer working for them.


Babni Devi lives at the village of kare in the Panchayat of Kare, Post Kare, P.S. & Block

Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 11/2/2018. She is an agricultural

labourer and her husband's name is Sunil Sharam. She has five daughters. Her financial condition

is very bad, but she sends all her daughters to the government school. Her husband was a gambler

and he un-carted all his money in gambling. One day, nothing was there in the house for cooking.

When he came then she demanded some money for cooking, her husband became angry and beat

her and pulled her hair and threw her with her children out of the house. She went to the CBO

women and told all the matter. The CBO women gave some food to her and her children. The

whole night, she lived in a CBO member's house. The next day, all Komal group members

collected in one place and reached Babni's house to meet her husband and try to exhort him, but he

became angry and ran for beating Babni again but CBO member caught him and saved Babni.

CBO women wrote the application through animator and submitted in the Gram Kachari. Gram

Kachari promised to take action within 15 days.

21. Fighting agaist social violence

Bahni Devi lives at the village of Gagri in the Panchayat Akauna, Post Sheikhpura, P.S. & Block

Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 10/4/2018. She belongs to the Dalit

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community and her economic condition is not good. She is a member of Radha CBO and she has

three sons and five daughters. Bahni Devi was rearing the Goats for livelihood and she and her

husband both are daily wage labourers. Sometimes they work in landowner's land for grains and

sometimes they work in the stone-crushing industry. On 10/4/2018 her goats were eating the grass

in an open field near the land of Baunu Yadav. One goat went into Banu Yadav's land and started

to eat her crops. Bannu Yadav saw and caught her goat. Bahni Devi requested Baunu Yadav to

leave her goat and promised that the goat would not go inside Bannu's land, but Baunu Yadav

came and started beating Bahni Devi. Due to this Bahni Devi's hand cracked and she fainted there.

One boy gave this message to the secretary of Jyoti group, Savita. She collected the CBO members

and brought her to the hospital and gave the information to the police station. The police officer

came and took the statement of Bahni Devi and filed an FIR against Baunu Yadav. Now the case is

continuing.

22. Fighting for saving land

Saro Devi lives at the village of Akauna in the Panchayat of Gagari, Post Hasaudi, P.S & Block

Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 2/6/2018. Saro Devi is 45 years

old. She has four sons. Three sons are adult and they have migrated to Chennai. One son is small

and he is studying in 5th

class. All three sons are earning but they don't give money to their parents.

Saro Devi and her husband are daily wage labourers in the land of a landlord for livelihood. Saro

Devi has 4 Kattha land but due to their bad economic condition, she sold her land to Kishor Yadav.

When this news reached Sakindar Yadav, he came to her house and told angrily why they sold

their land to Kishor. Nagina Paswan told that they were giving the right price. Sakindar Yadav

started to abuse them and called his brothers and nephews. All entered the house of Saro Devi and

beat her and her husband too and robbed her 150000 rupees, which she got from selling her land

and pulled her hair and told her and her husband to get out of the house and locked the house's

door. Saro Devi started to cry. Listening to her voice, other CBO women ran to help and save her

and her husband. They came to MSK and share all the matter. One animator Raj Kumar and all

CBO women went with her to the Police station and complained against Sakindar Yadav, his

father Kailash Yadav, Rajendar Yadav, Dwarika Yadav, Santosh Yadav, Kaniya Yadav, Sadhu

Yadav and Shrawan Yadav. A Police officer went to her village with six constables but all culprits

absconded from the police officer. The police officer broke the lock of her house. Still, they are

being searched. The investigation is continuing.

23. Fighting for saving the house

Reshma lives at the village of Purankama in the Panchayat of Hathiyawan, Post Sheikhpura, P.S

& Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura. This case was taken up on 13/7/2018. Reshma

belongs to the Dalit community and she is a member of the Yamuna CBO of Purankama and her

husband's name is jamahir Paswan. She is 49 years old and she has five sons and two daughters.

She got her three sons and two daughters married whereas two sons are unmarried. She could

neither provide good facilities nor education to her children. She and her husband, both are daily

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wage labourers in the land of a landlord, but whatever they were earning was not enough for her

livelihood so the whole family decided to go to Delhi. She and her husband gave all the

responsibility to her eldest brother-in-law named Mahendar Paswan for taking care of her house.

Reshma came back after one year and went to her home. She was shocked to see Shankar Manjhi

living in her house. She told Shankar to leave the house but Shankar became angry with her and

said that he had purchased this house from Mahendar Paswan and wouldn't leave this house. At the

same time, Mahendar Paswan came there and he and Sankar Manjhi abused her and her husband

and beat them also. Reshama Devi shared this matter with Sanju Devi, who lived in a nearby

house. Sanju is a member of the federation. She called an urgent meeting of Yammuna group and

shared all the matter with all the CBO members. All members decided to file an FIR in the police

station. Then, Sanju Devi and two other CBO members went to Adarsh Nagar police station with

Reshma Devi and her husband. They filed an FIR against Shankar Manjhi and his wife and

Mahendar Paswan. The Police Officer came and investigated all the documents of the house.

Shankar Manjhi has left the house. But the case is still going on.

24. Fighting against abuse by daughter-in-law

Dayamuni Devi lives at the village of Barui in the Panchayat of Pachana, Post Pathraita, P.S. &

Block Sheikhpura and District Sheikhpura and she belongs to the Dalit community and she is fifty-

five years old. She is a member of the Saharda CBO. Dayamuni Devi has three daughters and four

sons. She got three sons and three daughters married; she lives in a joint family. Before, Dayamuni

Devi worked in other's land as a daily wage labourer and her husband sold palm toddy and took

care of her children and their studies were completed. In this PRI election, her second son named

Hare Ram Chaudhary was elected as ward member, and then his wife pressurized him to live

separately. She either abuses her mother-in-law or beats her. When they heard the sound of crying,

CBO women of Dayamuni's CBO, who are living in the neighbourhood, went to save her or when

her daughter-in-law, wife of the eldest son, went to give her food, Sundari Devi abused them also

and told them to get out of her house. And in all these matters, Hare Ram Chaudhary never spoke

anything to his wife. Sundara Devi wanted that Dayamuni distributes her house between her two

sons, but Dayamunni always said that she would distribute her house after her last son's marriage.

One day, during the meeting they discussed about Dayamuni's case with the animator. The

animator suggested them to go to the house of the Sarpanch and complain against Hare Ram

Chaudhary and his wife and to demand that both sons take care of her and give her maintenance.

All CBO women went to the Sarpanch and complained against Sundara Devi and Hare Ram

Chaudhary. Sarpanch gave them assurance of justice.

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Success events

Sasaram

1. Date 10/3/2015 This success event is in the village Padwan, Panchayat Nonsari, P.S &

Block Nokha and District Rohtas. The students' scholarships were distributed in all schools of

Nonsari Panchayat except Rajkiye Madhya Vidyalaya. When CBO women of Navjeevan Mahila

Kirishi group came to know about this matter in the meeting they decided to go to the school

meeting with Principal. The next day, they reached the school and asked about the distribution of

scholarship. The teachers and the Principal rudely behaved with CBO women and told that

Scholarship wouldn't distribute. That time Binda Devi whose, husband's name is Manjhi Ram, took

promise publicly that she would rest only after the distribution of the scholarship. During the Gram

Sabha 26th

January 2015, when BDO came for flag hosting, she gave written application with all

CBO members' signature and complained of the misbehaving of the principal and teachers.

Immediately, the BDO called the BEO and told all the matter. Binda Devi and other women waited

for some days but the scholarship wasn't distributed. They again reached the block office to meet

the BEO and complain again. They told the BEO that if tomorrow scholarship wasn't be

distributed, they would go to the DM office. The next day, the scholarship was distributed in the

school. Binda Devi and all CBO women became happy.

2. Date 11/4/2015 This is a success event of Purva Village, Kadawan Panchayat in Nokha

Block, and District Rohtas. One of the CBO members, Mrs. Sangeeta Devi got the financial

assistance under Indra Awas for the construction of a house. She had purchased all the materials

which were indispensable for the construction of a room. She demolished her mud house and

started the foundation process. During the process of foundation her fellow citizen Baban Ram has

stopped the foundation work he claimed that this land belonged to him and he placed a hut at the

land. After that, she called a meeting with villagers for the same matter. But, Baban Ram was not

agreed on the conversation in the village meeting. Then after she shared the incident with the CBO

women, on 11th

April 2015, the CBO women went to police station and met with PS In-charge.

The Sub Inspector made the decision in favour of Mrs. Sangeeta (CBO woman).The CBO women

back to the village and started the work in the presence of other CBO women. The CBO women

visited at the workplace till date the construction was completed. Now, she is living in her home,

which is constructed under the Indra Awas scheme by the Govt. of India.

3. Date 10/7/2016 In Sottwa's Panchayat's village, P.S & Block Nokha and District Rohtas.

Anganwadi Kendra worker was not working well. She was not distributing the meal of children

and any facilities. One day, the CDPO Manju Kumari came for inspection of Anganwadi Kendra

in Panchayat Sottwa's village. Coincidentally one day before, the women had discussed about

these problems. All CBO women reached to meet the CDPO and complained against Anganwadi

worker. Women wanted to complain against the AW worker but the CDPO ignored the CBO

members and tried to go away. The women felt hurt and they pulled the CDPO out in her Car and

told her to listen to their problems otherwise they would complain to the BDO and DM. After this

incident, the CBO women wrote an application against the Aganwadi and submitted it in the block.

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4. Date 15/8/2016, when Gram Sabha was going on, in Sottwa Panchayat, P.S. & Block

Nokha and district Rohtas building. CBO women also reached there. The Ward member gave the

information that a Vikas Mitra named Jaswant Kumar stole 100 PDS cards and he didn't return

them. Due to some person didn't get the PDS ration. Hearing this matter, the women could not sit

in silence. They collectively reached the Vikas Mitra's house and demanded PDS cards, but Vikas

Mitra didn't return the PDS cards. The women became angry with him and this time he was beaten

by the women and they complained against the police. Police caught the Vikas Mitra and locked in

the jail.

5. Date 14/9/ 2016 This case happened in Panchayat Dharmpura's village Singwa, P.S. &

Block Nokha and District Rohtas. A sturdy man, whose name is Vijandra Choudhary captured the

community hall of the village. One day in Cluster meeting CBO women discussed on this matter,

because they had no other place for meeting and other programs. They decided that they would

make Vijandra Choudhary leave the community hall. They reached and tried to exhort him that he

leaves the community hall for CBO meeting and other programs. Earlier he wasn't ready to leave

the community hall, but when they told him that they would collectively go to the DM's office to

complain against him. Finally, on 14 October he left the community hall, one day before the

cluster meeting. Now every month on the date of 14th

, the cluster meeting is conducted in the

community hall. CBO women are happy.

6. Date11/12/2017 Saraswati Kunwar lives at the village of Lawada purbi tola in the

Panchayat of Kadawan, P,S. & Block Nokha and District Rohtas. Her husband's name is late

Nandda Chaudhary. She has two daughters and a son. She is a member of Navjeevan Mahila

group. Before some years, her family condition was good, she was happy with her life, but

suddenly one day her husband suffered from fever and due to fever her husband lost his memory.

For his treatment, Saraswati took the loan and pawned her fertile land, but she couldn't save her

husband and he died. When she returned from Banaras, her brother-in-law and mother-in-law

threw her out from their house so she lived in an open field. Her condition hurt the CBO women so

they took the ten thousand rupees from the federation and gave to Saraswati. All CBO women

helped her to make her house and to apply for Indira Awas to Mukhiya and BDO. After one year,

her Indira Awas was passed and the first instalment came in her bank and she started to make the

house. The CBO women discussed in meeting that they would support her for demanding the land

from her in-law so they reached her in-laws house and fought for her property and she got 10

Kattha land for livelihood. Now gradually her life has improved.

7. Date 12/12/2017 Asha Devi 41 year old and lives at Maudihar, Post Maudiha, Block

Nokha. Her husband's name is Mitthu Sah and she was married in a joint family. She has six

daughters and one son. Husband and Asha, both are illiterate so her husband takes care of domestic

animals. Her husband has four brothers who live out of the station and get a good earning, but

before one year her husband argued with his brothers so they took his property and lived

separately. Asha and her husband have no job so CBO women supported her and Asha took ten

137

thousand rupees' loan from the federation and opened a grocery shop. Gradually she started

earning from the shop and she returned the entire loan with interest. She and her husband both take

care of her shop and they are happy. All the children are going to school.

8. Date 23/12/2017 Dharam Shila is a 44 years widow. She lives at village Nonsari,

Panchayat Nonsari, P.S. & Block Nokha and District Rohtas and is a member of Navjeevan

Development group-B. She has two sons and she had no job for livelihood so her economic

condition was very bad. Sometime she worked in other farming land but it was not enough, so one

of her sons migrated to another city for earning. A vacancy came in Uttkarmit Madhay Vidayalay

for a mid-day meal cook. When CBO women knew, they discussed in meeting that this job will do

for Dharam Shila so they talked with the principal for this job. Some people were against Dharam

Shila's appointment but lots of people supported Dharam Shila. At last Dharamshila was appointed

on this job and she is cooking mid-day meal. She is very happy that CBO women supported her.

Chenari

9. Date 5/8/2015 This is a success event of Khurnu Kala, in the Panchayat of Sadokhar P.S. &

Block Chenari and District Rohtas. A CBO member went to the PDS Shop for getting Kerosene

oil. But, PDS dealer did not give the Kerosene oil, because he said he had distributed within three

days and this is the system of Govt. In spite of she has requested him but the PDS dealer sent her

back home. After that, she shared the same incident in her CBO meeting. The CBO women have

decided in the meeting they would submit an application to the PACS president and they did the

same. The CBO also raised voice against the dealer. After that, he has given the Kerosene oil as

well as made an apology to her.

10. Date 21/3/2017 These cases are in the village of Sadokhar, in the Panchayat of Sadokhar,

P.S. & block Chenari, and District Rohtas. There are four CBOs in this village. At this time the

Government is working and focusing on ODF (open defication free) Panchayats and blocks. One

day BDO, CO and village Prmokh conducted a meeting with all villagers. They were given the

training to make them understand why they should make a toilet. After the BDO spoke, a CBO

woman named Chandrawati Devi stood up and told that they would not make the toilet. The BDO

asked why they would not make a toilet, Chandrawati told they had no land for a living, and many

powerful men captured the land from near the pond and made their houses and so how the toilets

could be built. The BDO and CO talked with each other and then the CO told they would provide

the land and after 2-3 days, the CO provided 3 decimals of land to members of SC and EBC

communities who had no land. 30 CBO women got 3 decimals land and made the toilet.

11. Date 26/9/2017 This success event came from the village of Lonji, in the Panchayat of

Banauli, P.S. & Block Nokha and District Rohtas. In this village, there are 4 CBO groups named

Jivan Mashal Saraswati Mahila Samittee, Jivan Mashal Mira group, Jivan Mashal Khushboo

Mahila Samittee, and Jivan Mashal Chanda Mahila Samittee. 27 women found PDS Coupon, but

they didn't get the ration. All CBO women set together and talked with each other to decide what

to do for PDS ration. They decided and went to Mukhiya's house and block but Mukhiya and BDO

138

officer didn't do anything. They took steps collectively. They wrote a letter with the help of the

Animator and reached Janta Darbaar. There, they submitted their application and PDS Coupon,

and received the receipt of the application and returned back. After eleven days, the PDS

distributor came and called all 27 women and apologized and distributed ration. Women became

very happy that their decision yielded a good result.

Piro

12. Date 22/8/2015 After the Interface meeting the CBO women made aware regarding the

water born diseases. The CBO women had a meeting on 22-8-2015 regarding the drinking water

problem in the Govt. School under Nagri Panchayat, Post & Block Charpokhari and District

Bhojpur and decided to go to school and meet with the principal regarding the dirty water coming

from the hand pump & well but the school authority did not take any action regarding the same.

Because the school going children were drinking water from outside the school. Almost 150 CBO

women and villagers raised voice against the school authority and arrived at the School premises.

They demanded the school authority for testing the water quality by the PHED office Lab. Because

of the pressure of women, the principal had to give the water sample to the PHED office for

testing.

13. Date: 30/5/ 2016 This success event belongs to Panchayat of Nagri, Post Nagri, P.S. &

Block Charpokhari and District Bhojpur. In the Cluster meeting a proposal came that their

electricity bills were not proper. All the cluster women decided that they would go to the electricity

office. On 06/06/2016 All cluster women went to the electricity office to meet the SDO. That day

the SDO was on leave. Women asked the other staff if there was any other person who could take

up the problems in the absence of SDO. That staff said that he hasn't given the responsibility to

anyone else. All the women were angry and they declared a strike. After some time, the head clerk

took the photocopies of their electricity bill and application against the improper bill of electricity.

14. Date: 5/7/ 2017 This event belongs to Harpur village, in the Panchayat of Mukundpur, P.S.

& Block Charpokhri, and District Bhojpur.There is a father named Raghuvir Ram. He has two

sons, his elder son named late Jugul Ram and his wife’s name is Santi Kunwar, his second son’s

name is Jagdeshwar Ram whose wife’s name is Kavita Kunwar. Raghuvir Ram has only land in

the name of the property and he didn't want it to distribute among the family, but Kavita came to

know of the benefits of the government scheme Pradhanmantri Yojana and she wanted to build a

house but her father-in-law Raghuvir Ram declined. Finally, Kavita took the support of the CBO

women and tried to convince her father-in-law, but he didn't approve, so all the women went to the

Sarpanch’s home. The Sarpanch also tried to convince him, but he didn't move. Sarpanch told

Kavita, that she could complain against Raghuvir Ram. Kavita was ready and the CBO women

were also ready to support her. But, her father-in-law Raghuvir called the Jagdeshwar Ram with

his wife Kavita and Santi and distributed the land in three parts. One part went to Kavita. Now she

built the house. She was happy and thanked the CBO members and her husband.

139

15. Date: 22/9/2017 This case belongs to Primary School of Harpur village, in the Panchayat

of Mukundpur, P.S. & Block Charpokhri, and District Bhojpur. This school's education system

was not going in a proper manner. Always, the principal closed the school without any notice and

didn't distribute the midday meal in a proper manner. Due to this reason, the studies of children

were affected. Many times, the women complained to the principal, but the principal ignored them.

One day in the CBO meeting, all CBO women decided that they will go to the Block office to meet

the BEO and BDO and complain against the principal. They prepared a letter and reached the

Block office and submitted this letter, for demanding the transfer of the principal, but nobody

listened to their plea. So one day all CBO women again collected one place and reached the school

and after the midday meal, they locked the school. After the school was locked, the BEO reached

Harpur Primary school campus. He tried to exhort and compromise all the matter with CBO

women and requested them to open the lock but the women did not agree. All villagers supported

the CBO women. After few days, the DEO came to Harpur and told to women that if they would

not open the lock, legal action would be taken against them, but the women didn't listen to his

suggestion. They told that before locking the school, they informed the concerned authorities, but

they were ignored and neither any legal action was taken against the principal nor anyone came to

check the situation of this school. DEO returned. After four months, the Mukhiya called the

meeting and informed the villagers that that principal had been transferred and they all could open

the school Locke. The school was opened in the presence of Mukhiya, Sarpanch, Ward members,

and CBO women. After the transfer of principal, the schools open and close on time and midday

meal are distributed in a proper manner.

16. Date 22/9/2017 This event belongs to village Repura, Panchayat Koil, P.S & Block

Charpokhari, District Bhojpur. There is six CBOs group namely Chand, Kanchan, Kamal, Madhu,

Gulab and Khushi CBOs groups in this village. Repura village is a remote area and no vehicle was

there. If one wanted to go to this village, one should have one's vehicle. In the rainy season,

nobody went to this village without falling. Many times, collectively CBOs women and Animator

discussed this matter in Gram Sabha and demanded, they also demanded in the interface meeting

and especially met the Mukhiya and CO officer in their office, but everyone gave only assurances.

So one day, during the meeting CBO women decided that they would strike. After this meeting,

the agenda was discussed in Cluster meeting of Koyal Panchayat. Every CBOs woman was ready

for the strike, so they collected the money for banners and made two banners. CBO women shared

this matter with villagers; villagers also were ready to support CBOs women. On 17/11/2017 at

9:00 am from Repura village CBO women started rallying; many villagers from Debudihra and

Kinodihra also joined this rally and together set for the strike with banners on the main highway

road, which connected Rohtas to Bhojpur and Patna. Slowly, several vehicles stood in a line. After

some time, the Police officer from Charpokhari block came and tried to convince them but the

villagers did not agree. They Called the BDO Sanjeev Kumar and CO Md. Abunshar from

Charpokhari block; they came and they also tried to exhort the villagers. When villagers were not

agreeing, police officers threatened the villagers that they would arrest them. Approx. three hours

later, Bihar Lok shikayat officers came and communicated with MLA from Charpokhari and gave

written guarantee for the paved road. He called two engineers who inspected the road. Then, the

140

villagers broke the strike and they appreciated the CBOs women for this step. On 20/11/2017,

villagers from Repura, Devudihra, and Kinodihra did a signature on a paper for Mukhya Mantri

Sadak Yojana for the paved road for these villages and gave it to the CO Officer from Charpokhari

Block and 15 to 20 women reached the Lok Shikayat Niwaran office in Ara district and submitted

the application. Now this village got a paved road and villagers are very happy with the collective

action of CBO women.

Sheikhpura

17. Date 15/6/2015 Sita Devi is a member of Sheikhpura CBO federation and she was elected

as MENREGA coordinator to facilitate the work in her village. Being part of this programme she

came to know about the many benefits of this programme. She shared this information with CBOs

of not only her village but also to the whole Panchayat and helped the CBOs to access work under

this scheme. She helped them to get many more benefits from the department. In her village

women had to walk a long distance to get the drinking water from the municipality. She motivated

them to go to the public grievance committee of the district. Authorities sanctioned a water tank

for them. But at the time of installation, the forward caste wanted the tank near their location. But

women stood firm in their decision and the tank was placed near their hamlet. All the women are

relieved from the big hard work of fetching water from a distance.

18. Date 6/8/2015 Dulari Devi belongs to the village Chawda in the Panchayat of Purayena,

P.S.& Block Sheikpura and Disteict Sheikhpura. She is the secretary of their federation. She

motivated the CBOs to stand for their rights. In the Manjhi tola there was no facility for clean

drinking water. She along with CBO members of Manjhi Tola went to the Panchayat President

(Mukiya) and asked to install a hand pump in their Tola. The Mukhiya was reluctant but had to

sanction it because of the relentless efforts of women. Now the community is enjoying the fresh

water. There were three physically challenged persons in the same Tola and no one was there to

help them to make a certificate to obtain the disabled pension. She helped them to make the

certificate and now they are receiving the pension from government. She motivated 12 women to

apply for a scheme to make toilets. One lady already received Rs 10000 and builds the toilet and

other papers are on the process. Girls from the BPL family get married; there is a provision to get

help from the government of Rs 10000. She motivated 65 newly married couple to apply for this

grant. She along with the beneficiaries had to go to block many times for this purpose. Already 25

women received the grant and 40 forms are on the process. Now the community members are

supporting her and even men flock are ready to do any help at any time. Her efforts brought a lot

of unity and the CBOs are progressing under her guidance.

19. Date 22/2/2017 This success event came from the village of Dharampur in the Panchayat

of Hathyiawan, P.S. & Block Sheikpura, and District Sheikhpura, Sarita Devi lived with her

husband, Shravan Ram and her 2 sons and 2 daughters. Due to their poor economic condition,

Shravan Ram earned their livelihood by share-cropping in a field. Sarita Devi came to know about

a CBO which was being formed by the Maria Ashram. She then met the animator – Parvati Didi –

and gained some knowledge about CBOs. She then informed 12 other women and they together

141

formed a new CBO – Aanchal. They got to know about various means of employment when they

participated in training at Mahila Shiksha Kendra. The CBO took a loan of ₹ 75000. Sarita Devi

took a loan of ₹ 20000 and started poultry-farming in her house with 1000 chicks. Later she raised

them and sold them when they were fully grown. She paid off her loan and bought 1500 chicks to

improve her economic condition and supplement her family income. Her husband also helps her

and her she is able to educate her children. Now her family is happy.

Jamalpur

20. Date 20/3/2015 This success event came from the village of Haraychak in the

Panchayat of Mahgama Block Dharahara, District Sheikhpura, the CBOs women got one Hand

pump for drinking water from MLA fund. When the Technician came to the fit the hand pump, a

person took the hand pump from the CBO women and said that that hand pump belonged to him

and it would be fit in his Mohallah. The second day the CBOs women had a meeting regarding the

same and decide to submit an application to BDO with the signature of all the CBOs women in the

villages. They submitted an application to the BDO regarding the problem. The BDO came for the

verification and gave the order to fit the hand pump in the CBO village.

21. Date 20/6/2015 Maria Devi and Sangeeta Devi are the leaders of CBO of village of Ajiv

Ganj Panchayet of Ajiv Ganj P.S & Block Dharahara and District Munger. They requested the

Panchayat president for a PCC road because it was difficult for any vehicle to reach their village.

After a few days the work began and they were happy. But as the work was progressing they

noticed that enough materials like cement etc were not used. The community members along with

CBOs did not allow the work to proceed. The panchayat president was very angry and took away

all the materials saying that he will not complete the work. There upon the above-mentioned

women complained about the B.D.O. Finally, the president along with Vikas Mitra came and

completed the work under the supervision of B.D.O. Now women are happy that they can reach

their village without much difficulty.

22. Date 25/3/2015 Jaymanti Devi belongs to a Dalit family. Her husband's name is

Shyamsunder Mandal lives at the village of Ittwa in the Panchayat Ittwa, P.S. & Block Dharahara

and District Munger. She is a member of Notre Dame Self-help group-143. She is a member of the

CBO group for the last five years. Her husband sold alcohol and snacks, but after the prohibition of

alcohol her economical condition became bad. She did not participate regularly. When CBO

women called and talked with her she told her situation. The CBO women told her to take the loan

from CBO and open a new shop of other things. She took some loan from CBO and bought a cart

and opened a tea stall. After sometime she started to make sweets. Now both of her work is done in

the cart. She is very happy and because she has become self-dependent and she is sending her

children to school regularly.

23. Date 22/3/2017 Chanda Devi is a member of Notre Dame Self-help group-128. She joined

the CBO group last year. She belongs to a poor family; her husband's Ashok Das and lives at the

village of Amari in the Panchayat of Amari, P.S. & Block Dharahara and District Munger. She is

142

disabled from her mouth. She regularly participated in the meetings and listen to every discussion

very carefully. One day in the CBO meeting the government schemes was being discussed. During

the meeting, she came to know about disability certificate and the animator motivated her for

getting the disability certificate made. The next day she went to Dharahara hospital, she was not

able to get her work done and she got trapped by a middleman and lost her money. She again came

in the meeting and told all the matter. Then the CBO women and animator told what to do to get

the certificate. She went to the camp of disabled and the doctor checked her up and made her

disability certificate. After getting the disable certificate, the animator supported her in getting the

disability pension and helped her fill her form. She went to the block and submitted her form. She

is very happy that she joined the CBO group.

Raxaul

24. Date 5/72015 This is the event of the members of Chand Mahila group of the village of

Shivpur Hariya in the Panchayat of Pantoka, P.S. & Block Raxaul and District East Champaran.

One of the members named Lalmuni Khatun was pregnant but never had a medical check-up. The

campaign on NRHM (National Rural Health Mission) conducted in by Cheshta, Raxaul made her

aware of the need for going for check up during her pregnancy. She convinced her husband of the

need for her to get the medical check –up. Soon he took her to the Government Primary Health

Centre in Raxaul and got the needed check-up done and medicines. She remained healthy during

her pregnancy. In the month of July, when it was time for her to give birth, she was admitted to the

same hospital. During the birth process, due to the mishandling of midwives, the arm of the baby

was broken and the baby was seriously ill. The hospital administration referred the case to a local

private hospital that has good doctors and facilities for the care of infants. When they were

discharged from the hospital after a week, they had to pay Rs.12,000/-. The family was too poor to

pay this big amount. Lalmuni Khatun approached the women of her Self Help Group for help.

They discussed the matter and decided to ask the doctors and staff of the Government hospital

whose carelessness caused this problem, to pay the bills. The women gathered together and met the

doctors and staff and demanded that they meet the expenses of the treatment or else face legal

action. In the beginning, the Government hospital staff tried to evade the demands of the women

but the firmness of the women made them collect the money and pay the bills. The victory that

they experienced in this incident has made them grow in their leadership qualities and to seek

justice unafraid.

Gahiri 25. Date 20/2/2015 This success event came from the village of Banjari Patti in the Panchayat

of Tejpurwa, P.S & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. Fulena Devi is a member of

Banjari Patti Gramin Mahila Vikas Samiti of Unit Pragati, Gahiri. In the month of February 2015,

she had gone to get rice from the PDS (Public Distribution System) dealer. She had come to know

that he had brought supplies for two months. She was hoping to get rice for two months. But she

noticed that he was giving the ration of only one month. When she refused to take the ration for

one month and demanded her due of two months he used abusive language and told her to go away

from there. She went right back to the C.B.O. leader’s house and called all the women together.

143

They discussed the matter and decided to go together to the dealer and if he does not give the right

amount, they would complain to the B.D.O. (Block Development Officer). The women went

together to the dealer. When he saw them all together, without asking anything, he gave the ration

of two months. The women realized the power of their organization to fight against any issue of

corruption, injustice etc.

26. Date 19/5/15 on MGNREGA campaign was conducted at the village of Banjari Patti in

the Panchayat of Tejpurwa, P.S & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. Gahiri. During

the campaign, the women were informed of the various schemes and their provisions. At that time

the roads were under construction in the villages. According to the provisions of MGNREGA

scheme, the people of the respective village should be employed in this scheme. The women were

aware of this provision. They noticed that the Panchayat President was giving work to the

labourers from other villages for the fewer wage. The members of the C.B.O. stopped the road

construction. When the President came to inquire what happened, the women boldly told him of

the provisions of the scheme and demanded that the poor women who are job card holders be

given the work instead of labourers from other villages. He had to agree to the demands of the

women. The women were glad to have the information so that they could claim their rights.

27. Date 10/7/2015 The incident happened in the month of July 2015 in the Panchayat of

Tejpurwa, P.S & Block Pahadpur and District East Champaran. The daughters of the members of

the C.B.O. were going for coaching classes through the fields. A man called Arvind scolded the

girls for going through the fields and chased them away. The girls went back home crying and

frightened and refused to go for classes any more. The women got together and went to the police

station and filed an FIR against Arvind. When he came to know that the matter had gone to police,

he went to the Head of the Panchayat, confessed his crime, asked pardon of the women and

promised not to disturb the girls again. The girls can now freely go for their classes through in the

same way. With the awareness the women have received, they are courageous to raise their voice

against any kind of maltreatment in society.

144

Annexure: 3 Details of elected women in 2016 PRI Election

Sl.

No

Block Name of

Panchayat

Name of

Village

Name of

women

Caste

Catego

ry

Name of

Caste

Education Nominated

for which

post

Kind of

Reservation,

If any

(Gender,

SC/ST,

General)

Opposition party

, If any

(Man/Women)

Economic

Status

1. Nokha Sotwa Charnadh Lakhmua

Devi

EBC Kanu Literate Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

2. Nokha Sotwa Charnadh Parwati

Devi

SC Ravidas Literate Panch Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

3. Nokha Sotwa Charnadh Janki

Devi

EBC Gaderi Literate Panch EBC Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

4. Nokha Sotwa Charnadh Lakhmua

Devi

SC Dusadh Literate Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

5. Nokha Ghosiya Ramnagar Gita Devi EBC Noniya Literate Panch EBC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

6. Nokha Kadwa Lavda Anita

Devi

EBC Noniya 10th Ward

Member

EBC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

7. Nokha Kadwa Kadwa Virmano

Begam

EBC Muslim Literate Panch Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

8. Nokha Kadwa Villgae,

Kadwa

Samrajo

Devi

SC Kumhar Literate Panch Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

9. Nokha Sisirta Sisirta Bhagman

o Devi

BC Lohar Literate Ward

Member

Women

reservation

Woman BPL

10. Nokha Sisirta Sisirta Bindu

Devi

SC Dohbi Literate Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

11. Nokha Sisirta Sisirta Phujharo

Devi

SC Dusadh Literate Panch Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

12. Nokha Sisirta Panpokhri Kusum

Devi

EBC Kahar Literate Ward

Member

EBC Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

13. Nokha Maudiha Gajirampur Durga

Devi

SC Dusadh Literate Sarpanch Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

14. Nokha Maudiha Gajirampur Babita

Devi

EBC Kahar Literate Panch EBC Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

15. Nokha Maudiha Gajirampur Vjanti

Devi

SC Dusadh 5th Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

16. Nokha Hathni Tilai Lalita

Devi


Reservation

Woman BPL

17. Nokha Hathni Tilai Rekha

Devi

EBC Kahar 10th Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

18. Nokha Dharmpura Singwa Bina

Devi

SC Dohbi Literate Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

19. Nokha Dharmpura Singwa Chhathiy

a Devi


Reservation

Unopposed BPL

20. Nokha Dharmpura Gamhariya Sita Devi BC Yadav Literate Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

21. Nokha Kadwa Kadwa, Ruda

Devi

SC Ravidas Literate Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

22. Nokha Sisirta kairhi, Asha

Devi


Member

Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

145

23. Nokha Kadwa Kadwa, Malti

Devi

SC Ravidas Literate Panch Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

24. Raxaul Jokiyari Jokiyri Gita Devi

(

Daughter

in-law of

Canda

Devi

BC Teli 10th Ward

Member

BC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

25. Raxaul Pantoka Singhpur

Haraiya

Nurnesa

Khatoon


Reservation

Unopposed BPL

26. Chenari Pebandi Pebandi,

Chenari,

Vimla

Devi


Member

SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL


Chenari,

Sahodra

Devi

EBC Gaderi Literate Sarpanch EBC Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL


Chenari,

Sabiha

Bibi


Reservation

Unopposed BPL


Chenari,

Bhagman

i Devi

SC Rajwar Literate Panch SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

30. Chenari Pebandi Katra,

Chenari,

Durga

Devi

EBC Kamkar Literate Ward

Member

EBC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

31. Chenari Malhipur Singhpur Sangita

Devi


Member

SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

32. Chenari Malhipur Singhpur, Dhanpati

Kunwar

SC Ravidas Literate Panch SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

33. Chenari Malhipur Chkhuriya, Astorna

Devi


Member

SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

34. Chenari Sadokar Sadokhar Kalawati

Devi


Member

SC Women

reservation

Woman BPL

35. Chenari Sadokar Chota

Khudhnu

Kaushaly

a Devi


Member

SC Women

reservation

Woman BPL

36. Chenari Sadokar Chota

Khudhnu

Laxmina

Devi


reservation

Unopposed BPL

37. Chenari Sadokar Newri,

Sadhkar

Nirmala

Devi


Member

SC Women

reservation

Woman BPL

38. Chenari Devdihi Pithiyav, Tara

Devi

SC Ravidas 8th Panch SC Women

reservation

Woman BPL

39. Chenari Devdihi Khukhudhn

u

Gayanti

Devi

SC Ravidas 8th Panch SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

40. Chenari Ugahni Ugahni Dharmshi

la Devi

SC Ravidas 8th Panchayat

Samittee

SC Women

reservation

Woman BPL

41. Sheikhpu

ra

Puraina Chade Sunaina

Devi

EBC Nai Literate Ward

member

EBC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

146

42. Sheikhpu

ra

Puraina Abgil Asarphi

Devi

SC Mushar Literate Panch SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

43. Sheikhpu

ra

Puraina Chande Ratni

Devi

EBC Dhanuk Literate Ward

member

EBC Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

44. Sheikhpu

ra

Pachana Barui Sunita

Devi

EBC Bhagat Literate Panch EBC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

45. Sheikhpu

ra

Pachana Barui Shanti

Devi

SC Pasi 5th Panch SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

46. Sheikhpu

ra

Gagari Pind Beli

Khatoon

EBC Muslim Literate Ward

member

General Man BPL

47. Sheikhpu

ra

Kare Matokhar Jitni Devi BC Badhi Literate Ward

member

BC Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

48. Pahadpur East Sariya Sariya

Baazar

Chendr

Rekha

SC Pasi Literate Ward

Member

Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

49. Pahadpur Majhariya Shav Tola Sarli

Devi

BC Yadav Literate Panch General Man BPL

50. Pahadpur Majhariya Shav Tola Sawarsati

Devi

EBC Noniya Literate Panch EBC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

51. Charpokh

ari

Pasur Pasur Tijiya

Devi

SC Mushar Literate Ward

Member

SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

52. Charpokh

ari

Mukundpur Harpur Sangita

Devi

BC Koiri 2nd Panch Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

53. Charpokh

ari

Mukundpur Harpur, Umrawat

i Devi

BC Sah 3rd Ward

Member

BC Women

Reservation

Unopposed BPL

54. Charpokh

ari

Mukundpur Jaitpura Sunita

Devi


reservation

Unopposed BPL

55. Charpokh

ari

Mukundpur Harpur Premi

Devi

BC Koiri 2nd Ward

Member

BC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

56. Charpokh

ari

Nagari Nagarawn Sharda

Devi

EBC Kanu Literate Mukhiya EBC Women

Reservation

Woman BPL

57. Charpokh

ari

Koil Repura Devnti

Devi

SC Paswan Literate Panch SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

58. Dharhara Aajiv Ganj Ladaiyatad

andu

Bharti

Devi

SC Mushar Literate ward

Member

SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

59. Dharhara Aajiv Ganj Aajiv ganj Rani

Devi

BC Yadav Literate ward

Member

BC

Reservation

Man BPL

60. Dharhara Amari Sardhapur, Sita Devi SC Mushar Literate Panch SC Women

reservation

Unopposed BPL

147

Annexure: 4 Participation of CBO women in Gram Sabha from 2015 to 2018

2015 Name of unit No of

CBO

women

1st May 15th August 2nd

October

%

Sasaram 1000 306 320 352 33

Chenari 700 120 190 350 31

Piro 700 105 220 310 30

Jamalpur 300 20 45 144 23

Sheikhpura 1000 150 250 280 23

Gahiri 700 0 0 0 0

Raxaul 600 0 0 0 0


CBO

women

11 February

(Special Gram

Sabha)

1st May 15th August 2nd

October

%

Sasaram 1000 849 Gram Sabha

was not

conducted

due to PRI

election

816 921 86

Chenari 700 500 295 325 53

Piro 700 275 463 601 64

Jamalpur 300 96 270 240 67

Sheikhpura 1000 397 325 506 41

Gahiri 700 428 360 499 61

Raxaul 600 507 308 237 44


CBO

women

26th January 1st May 15th August 2nd

October

%

Sasaram 1000 781 594 520 866 69

Chenari 700 604 626 540 672 87

Piro 700 558 569 574 573 81

Jamalpur 300 207 211 241 206 72

Sheikhpura 1000 0 0 100 53 4

Gahiri 700 362 121 312 209 36

Raxaul 600 457 234 499 302 62


CBO

women

26th January 1st May 15th August 2nd

October

%

Sasaram 1000 584 550 616 555 58

Chenari 700 637 46 544 289 54

Piro 700 560 572 479 509 76

Jamalpur 300 262 238 233 81

Sheikhpura 1000 0 0 0 0

Gahiri 700 526 297 311 353 53

Raxaul 600 399 489 509 458 77

148

Annexure: 5 Project Implementation Area

Jeevan Mashal Samiti, Chenari – District: Rohtas- Block: Chenari

Sl.No Panchayats Village/Tolas

1. Banauli Launji

2. Banauli

3. Chenari Chenari South

4. Bharanduwa

5. Pewandi Pewandi

6. Khadauli

7. Katra

8. Datauli

9. Doiriya

10. Malhipur Malhipur

11. Lohra

12. Singhpur

13. Nandusiyra

14. Chikhuriya

15. Ramgarh

16. Mamrejpur

17. Nayakpur

18. Nayakpur- Sevri

19. Ughani Karma

20. Ughani –Sevri (Manji tola)

21. Bariya

22. Jaradi

23. Pachaura

24. Turki

25. Paharpur

26. Sadokhar Sadokhar

27. Rakba

28. Newri

29. Chota Khudnu

30. Kesho Nagar

31. Bharatlava

32. Basnara

33. Devdihi Magajpur

34. Pakariya

35. Jogiya

36. Bilaspur

37. Pithiyav

38. Khudnukala

39. Samhuta

40. New Hatta New Hatta

Total 8 40

149

Navjeevan Development Centre, Sasaram-District: Rohtas-Block: Nokha

Sl. No Panchayats Villages/Tolas

1. Sotawan Charnard

2. Dera

3. Sotawan

4. Bhawarah

5. Hasnadih

6. Durgapur

7. Sisirta Panchpokhari

8. Khairahi

9. Sisirta

10. Triveni Tola

11. Mani

12. Mani Purvi Tola

13. Hathini Badjoga

14. Hathini Gaon

15. Ropahatha

16. Tilai

17. Hathini Bal

18. Nonsari Sisirit

19. Nonsari

20. Bhikharidih

21. Parasia

22. Maudiha Maudiha

23. Gajirampur

24. Tharad

25. Kadava Kadava

26. Lawada

27. Lawada Purvi

28. Lawada Uttari

29. Jainagara

30. Sheikhpurva

31. Gaurisankar Tola

32. Ghosia Ghosia

33. Ramnagar

34. Hariharpur

35. Salempur

36. Dhekahibalirampur

37. Jabara

38. Dharmapura Mujarad

39. Baradih Tola

40. Dudhar

Total 8 40

150

Pushpa Community Development Centre, Piro-District: Bojpur-Block: Charpokhari

Sl.No Panchayat Villages/ Tolas

1. Nagari

Nagari

2. Dakshin Tola (Pachma)

3. Havelipur

4. Purav tola (Piru chak)

5. Pashim tola (Nagrao)

6. Chargodava

7. Milki tola

8. Purav tola (Udavadih)

9. Kamal Musahar tola

10. Dhanauti

11. Saropur

12. Pashim tola (Bharhata)

13. Dubey dihara

14. Kinudihari

15. Mukundpur

Paschimtola (Mukundpur)

16. Sagartola

17. Dakshintola (Dushara tola)

18. Palidah (Paliyadih)

19. Harijantola

20. Chandihari

21. Jaithpura

22. Harpur

23. Dobeya tola (Deveya tola)

24. Dadhani tola (Duhanti)

25. Madai

26. Malour

Malour

27. Bairodih

28. Baradh

29. Balihari

30. Ekauni

31. English tola

32. Pasour Kauwa Khoch

33. Dumariya

34. Pasour

35. Lilari

36. Madriya

37. Sahaspura

38. Koil

Madhuri

39. Repura

40. Repura tola (Gauri tola)

Total 5 40

151

Pragati Rural Development, Gahiri-District: East Champaran-Block: Pahadpur

Sl. No. Panchayat Villages/tolas

1. West Sareya Kanu tola

2. Sareya vriti tola

3. Tilanga tola

4. Lachirma

5. Banjari patti

6. Kaira tola

7. Misrine tola

8. Barva tola

9. East sareya Purvaram vriti /dukharam briti tola

10. Gadhva

11. Sareya bajar

12. Chain patti

13. Koriya patti

14. Thejpurva Kairava chube tola

15. Sareya tola mattia

16. Kurmi tola

17. Harijan tola

18. Mukiya ji ka tola

19. Dhanuk tola

20. Majharia Malah tola

21. Navka tola

22. Pakadiya tola

23. Chandirka takur tola

24. Shav tola

25. Vriti tola

26. Mattiyrva (Enarwabhar) Musahar tola

27. Tiwari tola

28. Kaptola

29. Narkattiya tola

30. Nuniya tola

Total 5 30

152

Cheshta, Raxaul-District: East Champaran-Block: Raxaul

Sl.No Panchayat Villages/Tolas

1. Harnahi

Harnahi

2. Chainpur

3. Durganagar

4. Pantoka

Singhpur Haraiya

5. Ekderwa

6. Hajmatola

7. Pantoka

8. Dhupwatola

9. Bharthamahi

10. Shiwantola

11. Hariya Nayabasti

12. Jokiari

Jetiyahi

13. Sihorwa

14. Jokiari

15. Chickni

16. Kirlichiya

17. Siswa

Siswa

18. Kouwadangar

19. Kacheri tola

20. Chanduli

21. Bhelahi Parshurampur

22. Kukuhiya

23. Musharwa

24. Nagar Panchayat

Dhangudwa

25. Pareuwa tola

Total 6 25

153

Integrated Community Empowerment Centre, Jamalpur-District: Munger-Block: Dharahara

Sl. No Panchayats Villages/ Tolas

1. Ittawa Ittawa

2. Pachrukki

3. Inerwa Tola

4. Amari Amari

5. Shardapur

6. Mahagama Badi Koilo

7. Kharat

8. Banar Koilo

9. Chotta Koilo

10. Owarabagicha

11. Mahagama

12. Jathkuttiya

13. Ajiv Ganj Ajiv Ganj (Yadav tola)

14. Ladaiyyatandu

15. Ajiv Ganj (Bind tola)

16. Khajuria

17. Mathura upper tola

18. Mathura (Niche tola)

19. Sakhol

20. Mohanpur

Total 4 20

154

Mahila Shikshan Kendra, Sheikhpura-District: Sheikhpura-Block:Sheikhpura

Sl.No Panchayats Villages/ Tolas

1. Nagar Panchayat

Eksari

2. Jamalpur

3. Mahadeo Nagar

4. Hasanganj

5. Jamuara

6. Magdampur

7. Indai

8. Girhinda

9. Chariyari

10. Pathraita

11. Khandpar

12. Kare

Surdaspur

13. Bajitpur

14. Mathokar

15. Lachna

16. Kariho

17. Kare

18. Pachna

Barui

19. Khorampur

20. Puraina

Chade

21. Abgil

22. Abgil (b)

23. Puraina

24. Chunnipur

25. Gagari

Hasauri

26. Akuna

27. Pind

28. Hathiyama

Dharampur

29. Ramraipur

30. Purankama

Total 6 30

155

Annexure: 6 Financial Statements

1. Investment Cost

2. Training for Beneficeries:

Sl. No Name of Activities Amount

2.1 One day mobilization seminar for 3 members of each of the 500 groups at the start of the

project

2,96,080

2.2 Five days Capacity Building Training for 35 office holders 87,450

2.3 Three days seminar on government programme for 3 members of each of the 500 women’s

groups

8,99,060

2.4 One day campaigns in 225 villages about government programme such as NRHM

MANREGA and SRLM

1,94,316

2.5 Three days leadership and management training for 68 office holders and project co-workers 1,01,760

2.6 Inter-face Meeting of CBO Leaders with the Service Providers 8,04,379

2.7 One day campaign on right-to-education act and about importance of girl’s education in 225

villages

54,007

2.8 Three days seminar on gender sensitization for three members of each of the 500 women’s

groups

8,83,194

2.9 One day campaign against violence against women in 225 villages 60,206

2.10 Three days legal awareness training for 68 office holders of federations 96,022

2.11 One day campaign briefly before gram sabha meetings in orders to mobilize villagers for

participation at the gram sabha

3,63,095

2.12 One day campaign on good local self governance 55,750

2.13 Three days training for office holders on local level ( elected gram panchayat members after

elections have been held)

44,385

2.14 International Women's Day celebration 1,93,948

2.15 International Girl Child Day celebration 1,98,818

2.16 International Girl Rights Day celebration 1,29,927

2.17 International Human Rights Day celebration 1,21,245

Sub Total 45,83,642

Fixed assets Mashal Head

Office

Piro Sasaram Chenari Raxaul Gahiri Sheikhpura Jamalpur

1 Laptop 33,000

1 LCD projector 30,000

1 Printer 10,500

5 Motor cycles 46,619 45,000 45,000 46,000 46,000

1 Scooty 45,260

2 Bycycles 6,800

Sub Total 73,500 46,619 45,000 45,000 46,000 46,000 45,260 6,800 3,54,179

156

3. Project management cost:

Sl. No Name of Expenditure Amount

3.1 Travel allowance for project co-ordinator 41,888

3.2 Travel allowance for unit co-ordinator 3,20,483

3.3 Travel allowance for animators 5,42,500

3.4 Accountant 2,770

3.5 Fee for chartered accountant 42,080

3.6 Three days information –cum-training seminar for co-workers-once a year 2,19,508

3.7 Monthly meeting of animators 1,20,483

3.8 Quarterly meeting with project co-ordinator 39,631

3.9 Monitoring by Mashal Team 9,42,142

3.10 Office expenses: Stationery, communication 2,62,790

3.11 Half yearly assessment 29,472

3.12 Annual assessment 29,280

Sub Total 25,93,027

4. Personnel cost:

Sl. No. Name of Expenditure Amount

4.1 Project co-ordinator 9,51,000

4.2 Unit co-ordinator 24,75,650

4.3 Animators 53,33,160

4.4 Part time accountant 2,73,750

4.5 Documentation officer 82,500

Sub Total 9116060

Grand Total (1+2+3+4) 1,66,46,908

157

Photo Section

Orientation programme

Orientation programme

Federation meeting Cluster meeting

158

CBO meeting Training on available schemes and programmes of Govt. for CBOs

Awareness campaign on NRHM, MGNREGA, and SRLM Jeevika Training on Federation Management

Interface meeting Awareness campaign on RTE

159

Training on Gender sensitization Awareness campaign on violence against women

Legal awareness training

Mobilization Campaign Prior to Gram Sabha

160

Participation of CBO women in Gram Sabha

Felicitation of CBO women elected in PRI Campaign on Good local self governance

Training on Good governance for Elected PRI members

161

Celebration of International Women's Day

Celebration of International Girl Child Day

Celebration of International Human Rights Day Celebration of Child Rights Day

162

Ladli Ki Muskan meeting

Quarterly Monitoring and Evaluation at the unit

Tola meeting

163

Presentation of Project Completion Report Presentation of Project Financial Report

Project personnel

164

"The true wealth of a community is measured by how carefully it listens to its women and how

sincerely it values their wisdom. Empowering women and girls

empowers us all." Forest Whitaker

Entitlement Realization of Rural Dalit Women, Bihar - mashal

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