Port Blair, Dec 01: The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has been actively working towards advancing gender equality and addressing issues of inequity through its targeted gender interventions since 2017.
The gender programme under DAY-NRLM has been building institutional mechanisms at the Community Level to respond to issues of gender and create awareness among various stakeholders. To achieve this, the Ministry of Rural Development had launched an annual Gender Campaign named ‘Nayi Chetna- Pehal Badlav Ki’ on Nov. 25, 2022 on the occasion of ‘International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women’.
The 3rd Chapter of this Campaign – Nayi Chetna 3.0 was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development on Nov. 25, 2024. The campaign aims to focus on three key pillars with the goal of eliminating gender-based violence and discrimination through convergent action led by SHG Women-
• Strengthening gender responsive local institutions (Women’s collectives, PRIs, Community Institutions).
• Local and National Interdepartmental Convergence enhancing access to rights and entitlements and support services.
• Enhanced leadership of Women advocating for Gender Equality.
In accordance with the same, the Director (RD/ Panch.)/ State Mission Director (ANIRLM), Smt. Sapna Priya launched the National Gender Campaign on Nov. 29 in this UT under DAY-NRLM in the presence of Officials of Rural Development, Block Development Officers attached to C.D Block Ferrargunj, Prothrapur, Officials from Directorate of Education, Officials from State Mission Management Unit & Block Mission Management, Community Resource Persons and Leaders of Model Cluster Level Federations formed in C.D Block Ferrargunj and Prothrapur.
The Director (RD/ Panch.)/ State Mission Director (ANIRLM) briefed the gathering about the importance of gender equality and addressing gender based violence against women.
The officials and representatives of Model Cluster Federations from both the Blocks discussed and highlighted various issues regarding Drugs/ Alcohol Prohibition, Domestic Violence, Importance of Girl Education, Sexual Harassment at Workplace, Dowry Related Violence etc.
The Andaman and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (ANIRLM) attached to the Directorate of RD, PRIs and ULB’s, A&N Administration, Marine Hill, Sri Vijaya Puram is implementing DAY-NRLM Scheme and is conducting various programmes to address gender based violence at State, Block and Gram Panchayat Levels with the support of Line Departments namely Directorate of Social Welfare, Directorate of Education, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Department, NGO and other institutions.
The aforesaid campaign is being organized in all the Blocks of this UT wherein Rallies on different themes to raise awareness amongst women to know their legal rights and where to register complaints in the event of any Gender Based Violence. The Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) has been set up at various level to support/ help women facing gender discrimination. Also, the Self-Help Groups, Village Organizations and Model Cluster Level Federations are conducting regular meeting to discuss and address the gender based violence in their respective areas.
