1-04-2012
Gramya Resource Center for Women
to
12-13-440, St No 1, Tarnaka, Secunderabad 500017, India,
31-04 -2013
Tel: 040-42601382
Annual Report of Activities
Gramya Resource Center for Women
12-13-440, St No 1, Tarnaka,
Secunderabad 500017, India,
Tel: 040-42601382
4/26/2013
Page | 1
Project Number: 71-02-03-025
Project Name: Gramya Lambada Girls School
Period: 1-4-2012 to 31-03-2014
Annual Narrative Report of Activities, Gramya Resource Centre for Women, April 1st 2012 – 31st March
2013 indicating progress during the year
Introduction
This has been an interesting and exciting year for Gramya. Our work has progressed in addition to the
originally planned activities. Our work was evaluated by Ms Janet Joe and Mr Hari, FMSF ICCO
Consultants in August 2012. It was a learning experience for all of us. Several recommendations were
made to strengthen the work and administrative oversight and while some are already implemented
others are in process. For this year in addition to support from ICCO we worked together with Aide et
Action to strengthen school education in 50 government primary schools and with Action Aid to prevent
sex selection to address the problem of declining sex ratio in the district (921 to 1000). We had an
opportunity to interact with a wide number of NGOs and UN Women during the year. We participated in
the One Billion Rising Campaign and reached out to college students in Devarkonda. In addition to
working with women, we have reached out to young men in three colleges, Media as well as lawyers
and doctors in Devarkonda and Nalgonda. We have established an excellent working relationship with
the district administration including ICDS services and the health department. Gramya/Rukmini was
nominated to the Advisory Committee for PCPNDT Act. Gramya played the role of lead NGO to
campaign for implementation of the PCPNDT act in Nalgonda district. Rukmini also acted as a resource
person at two Conferences on the issue in South India. The district administration has requested Gramya
for ongoing support to the “Marpu” programme to protect the girl child and empower women. Gramya
staff are regularly accompanying government teams to take up discussions in problematic villages.
Results achieved
1a. Bring Children to Bridge School and also enroll eligible children in government schools
This year, 129 girls were enrolled in the bridge school/hostel. The girls came from 57 villages of
Nalgonda, Mehaboob Nagar, Warangal (3 girls) and Hyderabad city(1 girl). Fourteen college students are
enrolled in the hostel and are studying at local colleges. The number of students and the caste
composition of the children in the bridge school is given below:
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Gramya Bridge School Enrollment:
Class
Strength
Sishu (Nursery)
38
Class I
15
Class II
17
Class III
11
Class IV
20
Class V
6
College Students
Inter I
4
Inter II
6
Degree I
4
Degree II
1
Degree III
1
Total
125
In addition one dalit student has completed her Degree in education and is now employed at the school
for disabled children in Mallepally. She is earning a salary of Rs 3000 per month. Sri Lakshmi, another
student received support from Gramya and training through government programme and is now
employed at the HDFC bank in Hyderabad. Her salary is now Rs 7000 per month. It has increased from
Rs 5000 which was reported earlier. She has written her Graduation final year exams after returning to
our hostel. Sharada, an assistant nursing graduate continues to live in the hostel and works with a
private doctor and is earning about Rs 5000 per month. Two older girls are married but are planning to
continue their education. Parents do not want to delay the wedding due to their economic hardships.
Overall the older girls have a changed view on life and are keen to study further and develop themselves
even though they may get married.
Caste wise Composition of Students in Bridge School
Class
Strength
ST
86
SC
20
BC
18
OC
1
Total
125
As per the plan, we should have registered 100 girls in the bridge school but we currently have 111
younger children in the school and additional 14 older girls (planned 10).
Advocacy – Back to School Programme: A total of 240 children were mainstreamed into school.This
year 22 girls were mainstreamed into the government hostels of Chandampet and Teldevarpally. One
hundred and sixty seven children were enrolled into government primary schools through Badibata
Programme working together with government. Ward members, Local Ex-Sarpanchs, Government
Teachers, vidya volunteers participated in the programme. In addition, with Gramya efforts, 22 girls are
enrolled in Kasturba government Hostels and 42 girls and 9 boys are enrolled in local schools.
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SMC Meeting Follow Up
Gramya staff has regularly interacted with SHG leaders, school principals, and teachers. We made many
attempts to join the SMC meetings. We were informed that community members were not willing to
spend time for meetings because they had to forego their daily wages of Rs. 100 per day. Principals in
several schools informed us that discussions were held and minutes returned by the school staff and the
registers were self circulated for signatures. We are strengthening the School Committees by requesting
SHG members and Panchayat representatives to join the Committees.
For the current school year, school text books were released on time due to regular follow up and
collective efforts by NGO networks in the state.
Bala Mela
85 children and 12 para teachers participated in the Bala Mela Programme held on March 12, 2013. This
was an effort to bring children together to discuss child rights and have a day of fun together. Children
from 12 villages, from the two mandals of Devarkonda and Chandampet attended the Bala Mela
Programme. The children and para teachers actively participated in the discussions, cultural activities
including singing songs, performing dramas and other competitions. Prizes and certificates were
distributed by Mr Krishna Rao, In charge, HRD College, Devarkonda.
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1b. Promote Access to Higher Education for Girls
As per plan, we were due to support 10 girls but we have supported 18 girls to date this year. The
detailed case studies follow. One of the students, Renuka is keen to teach physical training in schools.
She is an excellent athlete and has won 8 prizes this year. We are helping her to take the entrance
exams. Two other students Jyothi and Parvathi have joined the beautician course in the district Mahila
Pranganam – Training center for women. They feel, in future this would be an additional skill which
would provide them an income. This year 2013 May, we are planning to provide additional classes to
children who are 8 to 10 years old and have come late to school. By this extra coaching, we plan to
enroll them in higher level classes when schools reopen in June 2013. There are 13 such girls and we are
awaiting their parent’s permission to continue school in the summer.
2. Empower women through training to take up Leadership roles
Target upto 2014 was 60 women.
We were able to do a lot more because of additional support from ActionAid for the purpose of
leadership training to prevent sex selective abortions.Up to December 2012,we had trained 299 women
leaders well above the targeted figure.
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In the month of May 2012, we trained 45 women on the issue of Right to Education
In June, training was provided to 29 women on the issue of Child Rights and to prevent Child
Marriages
In July, the trained women have enrolled 82 drop out children back into school
30 women were trained in the month of August on the roles of school management committees
Since January 1st 2013, we have trained the following groups for leadership to prevent sex selection and
female feticide.
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On 4th January, we trained 22 men and 13 women officers under the Assistant Joint Collector on
how to interact with village community leaders, find out the problem of Son preference and
how to expose and resolve the issue of sex selection.
On January 28th, we trained 9 women staff members from the DWAMA offices.
On February 4th, we provided inputs to 8 Anganwadi supervisors, 13 ANMs from Devarkonda
and 9 staff members from the MPDO offices. This included 3 male officers.
On February 19th, 118 anganwadi workers, 32 SHG leaders and 18 book keepers supporting
SHGs were provided inputs. The latter all males. While we regularly interact with men in the
community, we have not organized training programmes separately for them (We plan to reach
out to more men in the coming year).
Total Outreach to women leaders: 498 men: 43.
The training was broad based creating an understanding of patriarchal values and structure in society.
Detailed information was given on PCPNDT Act, Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, and Right to
Education. This was done to create an enabling atmosphere so that Government officials as well as
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women leaders could take action with confidence. Gramya is continuously reaching out to men since
they are power holders and can make a significant contribution to changing society.
2a. Women leaders’ skill development to support vulnerable families
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In September, October and November, training was provided to women leaders on
implementation of the PCPNDT Act. Total of 113 women participated in the trainings. In each
project village, Gramya staff is interacting with local SHG leaders as well as the Mandal Samakya
and Zilla Samakhya members. These are leadership groups supporting the SHG movement by
promoting gender justice and support to women facing violence within or outside their families.
2b. Support women facing Domestic Violence
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Target for the year 2012-2013 was 15 cases, to date we have supported 25 cases.The women
were supported to get a divorce, recover their dowry, recover their children, and financial
support for the future.
No of Women
5
2
3
1
1
3
3
7
Total value gained – conservative estimate
Benefit Received
Housing rights – provided legal rights to half the
home
400 yards of land for each to build their own
homes
5 acres of land
2,70,000 in cash
2,50,000 in cash
On-going cases
10 tolas of Gold
Follow up on going
Rs 14,80,000
3. Empower women to ensure gender justice
Target for upto 2014 is 100 women. We have already met the target as indicated above. Women leaders
are taking responsibility to ensure girl children are sent back to school, child marriages are stopped, sale
of girl babies and infanticide is stopped and girl babies are restored back to mothers. In 30 villages, we
have completed forming Watch Committees with the total of 150 women and men.
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Milestones
3a. Children enrolled in school
Planned: 100
Achieved: 240
This was possible because Gramya worked along with the Government teachers and education
department to campaign at the beginning of the school year to bring all out of school children back to
school. In September 2012, we once again surveyed 50 villages and identified 42 drop out children.
They were sent back to school.
3b. Babies Rescued and Restored
Planned: 10
Achieved: 18
We have started working closely with the Government system particularly the ICDS and the health
system which has increased our outreach. Now we are receiving some calls from the public at large. The
18 vulnerable girl babies are restored to their parents. We have supported mothers by providing food
for 6 months. We have counseled men to take care of their daughters and plan their families.
3c. Domestic Violence Survivors Supported
Planned: 15
Achieved: 24
B. Agreements at the level of outcome Partner
1. Support women who want to keep their daughters.
Final target 2014: 10 cases
already achieved 14
Milestones:
1a. Demonstrate the problem with Government policy to demand changes
Planned Target for 2013: 5 cases
We have already brought 14 cases to the notice of the government. They have recognized 5 women as
“heroines” for saving their daughters. The recognition was given on 4th October during a public
meeting of 5000 people to create awareness on the reducing sex ratio in the district. Gramya provided
training to 85 district officials on the PCPNDT Act and the action to be taken to improve child sex ratio.
We have participated in district meetings along with MVF Staff on the issue of improving primary
school education. We continue to monitor the status of the government cradle at Devarkonda. With
support from ActionAid, we are in the process of documenting the situation of reducing Child Sex
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Ratio in the district. The report “The Social and Political Economies of Femicide in Andhra Pradesh”
written by Rukmini and Dr Lynette Dumble is attached.
C. Other Agreements
Other agreements will be reported.
1 We have a photo gallery uploaded on our website. TV programme was produced in Telugu “Save the
Girl Child”, NTV used our resource team and discussions with community members and the Minister for
Women and child Development to plan the program. Programme was broadcast several times in AP with
wide viewer ship of several millions. The issue of child sex ratio and violence against women has been
discussed in several television programmes during the year in which Dr Rukmini Rao participated.
Gramya Board Members Ms P Jamuna and Ms P Shanti Rao participated in the NTV Programme.
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3
MVF works in part of Nalgonda district. We are interacting with their staff at district review
meetings
Staff list provided here
Gramya Resource Centre for Women Staff-2012-13
Sl
No
Name of the Employee
Designation
1
B S Pavani
2
3
S Indraneel
Dr V Rukmini Rao
4
K.Sumalatha
5
6
7
8
9
10
D Sunitha
K.Lalitha
Kowsalya
Nagamani
T Shashikala
T Anjali
11
12
13
14
15
16
A.Manjula
K.Venkatamma
Santosha
V Srilaxmi
M.Lalitha
G.Vanitha
17
18
Dowli
Laxmamma
Coordinator
Teachers
Teacher/ house mother
ICCO/KNT
Teacher
ICCO/KNT
Teacher
ICCO/KNT
Teacher
ICCO/KNT
Teacher
ICCO/KNT
Teacher
ICCO/KNT
Student Teacher Volunteers
part time student volunteers
ICCO/KNT
part time student volunteers
ICCO/KNT
part time student volunteers
ICCO/KNT
part time student volunteers
ICCO/KNT
part time student volunteers
ICCO/KNT
part time student volunteers
ICCO/KNT
Cooks
Cooks/Supporting staff
ICCO/KNT
Cooks/Supporting staff
ICCO/KNT
19
Mangamma
Cooks/Supporting staff
20
Pushpalatha
Cooks/Supporting staff
Coordinators
10
Account/ Admin
Project Name
Account/ Admin
Project coordinator
ICCO/KNT
ICCO/KNT – Part time
ICCO/KNT
ICCO/KNT, Part support from Action
Aid
ICCO/KNT
ICCO/KNT
21
A.Hyma
Coordinator
22
T.Vigna
Coordinator
23
S.Ramulu
Coordinator
Supported by Action aid& Aide et
action
Supported by Action aid& Aide et
action
Supported by Action aid& Aide et
action
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Financial manual and HR Policy are prepared. We would request you to provide for a consultant
if other actions are to be taken.
5-7 Audit reports will be prepared accordingly
8 Gramya has raised additional support for promoting the rights of women and Girls. The district
administration is providing Rice, dal and oil at subsidized rates. This has balanced food expenses in
view of high inflation in food prices over the last two years. In addition we have raised funds from
AEA and Action Aid. Individual donations are also raised. These will be reflected in the audited
reports.
Expansion of outreach
Back to Basics programme
With the bridge school acting as a core programme we were able to raise additional funds from Aide-etAction to improve primary school education. Through this programme, we have reached out to enhance
the quality of education in 50 government primary schools. Total number of children included in the
programme are 5126 spread over three mandals of Devarkonda, Chandampet and PA Pally.
Teachers Training
Gramya organized 6 teacher training programmes to promote child centered learning and play way
methods. A total of 60 teachers received training repeatedly.
Training Adolescent Girls
We have provided training to 62 adolescent girls from two schools in Mallepally on the issue of Child
Rights and how to prevent being forced into marriage. As a result of the training we could stop the
marriage of Navaneetha (name changed) from Mallepally High School. She was studying in class VII and
personally reported the issue. With our intervention, the marriage was stopped.
Campaign to prevent Sex Selective Abortions
With support from ActionAid, we have acted as a lead NGO and collaborated and supported six other
NGOs and worked in 15 mandals of Nalgonda district. This has given greater visibility to Gramya to
demand policy level changes. The campaign is ongoing.
Working with Youth
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We have reached out to 340 young men and women to discuss gender equality and related issues. Essay
writing competitions were held and the one billion rising campaign issues shared.
Processes
Bridge School Activities
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81 Children in the Bridge School are continuing their education.
Twenty six girl children who completed their classes upto III, were enrolled in Upper Primary
School in Devarkonda Government High School for Girls. Twenty nine girls were enrolled in the
Teldevarpally Ashram Patshala in Upper Primary School and provided residence facility by the
government.
 In substitution to these 29 girl children, another 22 new children from vulnerable families were
enrolled into the bridge school .
 An evaluation team from ICCO visited the bridge school and the team gave inputs to the staff.
The elder girls in the school are formed into committees as per the recommendation given by
the evaluation team. The elder girls are playing key roles in managing the bridge school. The
children committees are randomly rotated every month. The girls are involved in supervising
purchases and managing the school and take care of younger girls as and when necessary
 19 children from families supported by Gramya to take back their daughters from government
cradle and from families facing domestic violence were enrolled into the school this year.
 Independence Day and Republic Day was celebrated grandly in the hostel. Ms Janet Joe
(Evaluator), joined the Independence Day celebrations and distributed prizes to the children who
participated in the games.
Campaign to Prevent Sex Selective Abortions
A campaign was conducted to prevent sex selective abortions in Chandampet, Devarkonda and PA Pally
mandals of Nalgonda district in 30 villages (10 villages in each mandal).
DEVARKONDA MANDAL
Gramya has been working in this mandal since 1997. We have been serially working in new villages so
that we can take the message of protection of the girl child to the mandal.
CHANDAMPET MANDAL
Chandampet mandal is extremely backward region of Nalgonda district bordering Mehaboobnagar.
Many of the villages have poor connectivity. Mostly inhabited by Lambadi community in Thanda’s, it
continues to be excluded from mainstream development. The region being part of the rain shadow area
is poor in natural resources. The small and marginal farmers in the area who earlier grew food crops
have now switched over to grow BT Cotton. As a result, agriculture is like a game of chance, with heavy
investments and poor returns from time to time. Most farmers as well as landless labor are indebted in
the region.
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PA PALLY MANDAL
Gramya has started working in this mandal from January 2012. It is promoting Back to Basics school
programme to improve education in primary schools. Majority of the community members belong to SC
community.
At the local level, Gramya carried out the campaign in 30 villages (10 in each mandal). The campaign was
carried out by a group of 14 members – girls supported by Gramya who are college students and staff of
Gramya. In each village, we distributed pamphlets on the issue and displayed posters on the issue of
violence against women (One Billion Rising), the need to protect the girl child, and scientific information
on gender determination through X and Y chromosome to give the message that men are responsible
for the sex of the child. Through the campaign, we were able to learn about the problems in the area
and people’s perception regarding the girl child. Details report is annexed.(annexure1)
Trainings to the Staff Members
Gramya staff participated in 8 government orientation programmes on the issue of child rights,
registration of NGO under Child Rights policy and in discussions on the issue of how to prevent sex
selective abortions.
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Trainings was provided to the staff members on Right to Education, Right to Information,
and PCPNDT Act by Dr Rukmini Rao
Additional training was provided on Right to Education by Mr Balwanth Singh and Mr
Sridhar Mether, Regional Manager, Aide-et-Action
Mr S Ramulu, coordinator attended a Training of Trainers (TOT) programme on Gender and
Food Security held from 8th - 11th of January 2013 at Visthar Bangalore.
Right to Education
Training provided to para-teacher volunteers
A total of 12 trainings were given to the para-teachers by Gramya Team and Aide-et-Action team on
awareness about Right to Education and Right to Information Act.
Using the Bridge School Training Center
The construction of the bridge school has been a great support to take forward our work. It has been
used as a venue to organize training for local women leaders. During the year 15 training programmes
were held on the premises.
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Date
21/7/2012
13/10/2012
1/6/2012
6/7/2012
16/7/2012
11/8/2012
31/8/2012
19/10/2012
29/12/2012
11/2/2013
20/2/2013
21/2/2013
22/2/2013
27/2/2013
3/3/2013
Description of the Programme
Volunteers Training
Volunteers Training
PCPNDT Training
PCPNDT Training
PCPNDT Training
PCPNDT Training
PCPNDT Training
PCPNDT Training
Watch committee
Project Advisory Committee Meeting
Volunteers Training
Volunteers Training
Volunteers Training
Volunteers Training
Volunteers Training
Participants
31
49
12
15
8
14
22
46
35
10
18
18
22
9
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Materials Prepared: Two posters were prepared for the OBR campaign and to promote girl child rights.
These were widely distributed during the campaigns. Gramya material was also shared and appreciated
by the district officials. Pamphlets and posters were prepared for the campaign to prevent sex selection.
(see Annexure III)
Visitors to Gramya Bridge School
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District Judge, Nalgonda, Mr Krishnaiah
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Suresh Babu
Additional Joint Collector, Sri Neelakantham
Project Director, DRDA, Sri Rajeswara Reddy
Planning, Water and Sanitation, Gopala Krishna
DWAMA, Ms Kalindi
CDPO, Huzoor Nagar
CDPO, Samsta Narayanpuram
Incharge, Mahila Pranganam
Shakti Shifa Foundation, Dr Nasreen Hussain
Dept of Education UK, Mr Adam Storring
Feminist Activist, Australia, Dr Lynette Dumble
Evaluation Team, Janet Joe, Sri Hari FMSF
Review Team, Action Aid
Aide-et-Aciton, Mr Shashank, Mr Suresh Gutta
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Review Team, Action Aid, Mr Sreedhar
Education Activist, Nepal, Mr Teeka Bhattarai
Ambassador Belize, USA, Vinay Kumar Reddy
Mr Ravula Vijay Kiran, Hyderabad
Rural Tribal Development Foundation, 13 Tribal Activists
Resource Person, Ms Laxmi Kantamma
Incharge, HRD College, Krishna Rao
ICDS Project Director, Ms Uma Devi
News Reporters
Additional work carried out by Dr Rukmini Rao
During the year 2012-13, Rukmini continued to support (in an honorary capacity)like-minded NGOs to
take forward the development agenda. She has served as a Board Member in the following
Organizations:
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Center for World Solidarity as a Managing Trustee providing guidance to the organization on a
regular basis
Center for Sustainable Agriculture to centralize the concerns of women farmers.
Deccan Development Society which is promoting organic agriculture and campaigning against
genetic engineering and unsafe foods.
National Social Watch, which works towards improving governance in the country.
HIDF Banagalore, which works to improve governance within organizations.
Wassan, promoting watershed development supports services to NGOs and policy advocacy
with Government.
Lepra – India
International Organizations
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TV/E, London based NGO, producing films on environment and sustainable development
broadcast Internationally.
Continued as a core committee member in Sangat, planning and support to develop the
organization
Member, Aide-et-Action International, which has been set up to promote education worldwide.
Continuing as a member of South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication providing limited inputs
Amnesty International - India
Campaign to improve Child Sex Ratio
In addition to the campaign carried out by Gramya, Rukmini provided guidance and inputs to six
network partners in Nalgonda. She worked closely with Action Aid to dialogue with the Minister for
Women and Child Development in Andhra Pradesh. As a result, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has
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issued a new GO on the issue providing for NGOs to visit scanning centers and review their status in 10
districts.
Provided inputs as a Resource Person at the Southern Regional Consultation on reducing child sex ratio
organized by EKTA, Madurai, supported by United Nations Population Fund (NPFA) and National
Foundation for India.
Rukmini provided inputs at the National Consultation on the Strategies for Halting Declining Sex Ratio,
20th, 21st February 2013. Voluntary organizations from across the country met to discuss strategies for
policy advocacy with the Government of India and with respective states.
Agriculture and Women’s Rights
Gramya continues to provide resource support to strengthen women’s role in agriculture. Rukmini
continues to work with Center for Sustainable Agriculture to develop strategies to provide land rights for
women. With support from SAAPE, we organized a consultation with farmers unions both from the CPM
and CPI on 22nd December. The situation in Andhra Pradesh was discussed. It is planned to take the issue
forward in the coming year.
Rukmini further provided support to Caring Citizens Collective in Medak district on 5th February 2013.
The collective supports families of farmers who committed suicide due to distress conditions. 90 women
and men farmers came together to discuss their situation and how to make farming profitable through
sustainable agriculture. Government officials also joined the meeting.
On 19th March, 2013, Rukmini provided inputs at the National and International Experiences of
Cooperatives in Agriculture. The conference was supported by ICSSR, PEACE , Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
and Agrarian South and organized by the Joshi Adhikari Institute of Social Studies to explore the need for
collective farming to increase farm incomes for women.
Supported dalit women network groups to strategize claiming land rights for women on 18th December
2012.
Occasional Lecture
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Rukmini was invited by National Institute of Rural Development on September 4th to discuss
strategies towards women empowerment
Lecture at Vanitha Maha Vidyalay, Hyderabad on the Anniversary of Sarojini Naidu’s Birthday.
Developing Women's Leadership for Transformative Change in Society February 13, 2013
Lecture at APMAS on Natural Resource Management on 18th July 2012
Strategic Planning
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Provided inputs on gender and development in India to Christian Aid and their partners on 16th
August to develop their strategic plans for their next phase of activities in India
UN Women on land Rights.
Outreach through Print and Electronic Media
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22nd May 2012, an article about the work of Gramya and profile of Rukmini in “The Hindu”
18th August 2012, Support to NTV to film on reducing sex ratio
23rd August 2012, one hour NTV programme with the Minister for women and Child Welfare.
The film made in Gramya field area was highlighted. Ms P Jamuna and Ms P Shanti Rao Board
members of Gramya also participated.
22 news reports about Gramya activities appeared in several district news papers including,
Eenadu, Vartha, Namaste Telangana, Andhra Jyothi, Sakshi
At the state level, Times of India and The Hindu covered issues of Child Sex Ratio
5th December, TV9 programme
Participation in International Conferences
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May 25th to 27th 2012, workshop to strengthen South and South-East Asia Regional Board of
Aide-et-Action International
Fund Raising lecture at Redding, UK at a Church Group
Sangat core group meeting and launch of One Billion Rising South Asia Campaign 22nd, 23rd
September Kathmandu
Visit to the Netherlands Church groups supported by ICCO from 10th November to 19th
November
Review of AEA Programmes internationally – Paris, 15th to 19th January 2013
15th, 16th March 2013, Board Meetings, Aide-et-Action International
Served on the jury of TV/E to select the Best Film on Efforts by Corporates to promote
sustainable development. This was a global contest
Participation in Workshops
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August 6 and 7th ICCO workshop on Right to Education “Children at Risk”
8th and 15th October, participation in People’s Bio-diversity Mela
17thFebruary 2013, Participation in National Conference on RTI held at Hyderabad
Education for all workshop at ASCI supported by Aide-et-Action
Campaign launch for OBR, New Delhi
Human Rights
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Support to internally displaced persons from Chattisgarh into Khammam district, Consultation
with community members, the District Collector Khammam28th September and concerned
NGOs about the welfare of the IDPs and how to restore their lands in Chattisgarh
Participated in meeting to share the status of the POSCO struggle, Delhi
Campaign against HPV Vaccine, we have worked together with Kalpana Mehta, Nalini Banot who
prepared the documents to submit to the Supreme Court of India demanding justice for girls
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who may be negatively affected by the Vaccine. The Supreme Court has accepted the Petition
and issued a show cause notice to the Government. (See annexure II for the Press Release)
Reviewing the status of Polavaram Dam construction
Publications
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The Social and Political Economies of Femicide in Andhra Pradesh, Dr V Rukmini Rao and Dr
Lynette J Dumble, Gramya Resource Center for Women, December 2012
Resistance and Struggle for Survival: Access Control and Ownership of poor and dalit women to
Land in Andhra Pradesh, in Women, Land and Power in Asia, Ed. Govind Kelkar and Maithrieyi
Krishnaraj, 2013, Routledge Taylor and Francis Group
Report Prepared By
Ms K Sumalata
Ms A Hyma
Ms T Vigna
Mr S Ramulu
Ms Kousalya
Ms Anjali
Ms G Vanitha
Ms K Nagamani
Ms A Renuka
Dr V Rukmini Rao
18
Annexure I: Campaign Report
E2-B94-RHH
Campaign against Adverse Sex Ratio in Andhra Pradesh
Cheyi Cheyi Kalupudam, Adapillalanu Rakshidham
(Let us Join Hands to Save the Girl Child), 2012
Introduction
ActionAid International supported Gramya Resource Centre for Women and six other NGOs in Nalgonda
District (Pilupu, Peace, Grass, Grameena Mahila Mandali, Ankita, Adress) to create awareness in the
community and stop the practice of female feticide. The campaign was planned to address all
stakeholders including community men and women, doctors, and district authority which is charged
with preventing female feticide and ensuring the implementation of the PCPNDT Act.
Gramya worked together with the above NGOs and activist Subhash of Grass to spread awareness of the
PCPNDT Act in 15 mandals of Nalgonda district. In addition, community members from all the mandals
participated in the Hyderabad event to highlight the issue. Prior to launching the campaign, several
consultations were held among the partners to take forward the issue effectively. ActionAid Regional
Office has played a critical role in bringing all partners together and creating a collective perspective to
move forward. Through this campaign we reached out to 1125 women and 1027 men in the
community. In addition Gramya reached out to 340 students in three colleges. Outreach of other
network partners is provided below:
19
Mandal Level Orientation on PCPNDT Act with Anganwadi Workers and ANMs
110 women attended the orientation programme. The PCPNDT Act in charge Mr. Tirupataiah, MLA Balu
Nayak, JSSK in charge Mr. Venu Gopala Chary, Devarkonda Market Chairman Mr Suresh Reddy,
Mallepally Health Officer Ms Hima Bindu, Devarkonda Health Educator Ms Anasurya attended the
programme. A rally was conducted with banners in the streets of Devarkonda.
89 women attended the meeting. Dr Suhasini, Dr Satheesh, MPP Mr Suravaiah and JSSK in charge Mr.
Venu Gopala Chary participated in the programme. A rally was conducted with banners in the streets of
Chandampet.
20
Awareness Campaign in Colleges
110 students from Satya Sai College and 135 students from HRD college participated in the awareness
campaign. Girls and boys both participated actively in the programme. An essay writing competition was
held in both the colleges on the topic of “Reflect on whether there is discrimination against women in
our society” Prizes were distributed for the best two essays for girls and boys separately. From the
discussions, it was clear that young girls were demanding respect from their colleagues. While some
young men shared progressive ideas, others mentioned that they were forced to follow tradition and
would most probably take dowries at the time of marriage. The Rights of the girl child and the Right to
survival were accepted as guaranteed in the constitution.
21
The village level campaign was carried out in the following 15 mandals, by the network partners.
Name of the Organization
Mandals
Gramya Resource Centre for Devarkonda
Women
Chandampet
PA Pally
Ankita
Tripuraram
Peddavoora
Grameena Mahila Mandali
Bommalaramaram
Grass
Marriguda
Samsthan Narayanpur
Peace
Bhongir
Rajapet
Choutuppal
Pilupu
Turkapally
Narketpally
Adress
Aleru
Yadagirigutta
At the local level, Gramya carried out the campaign in 30 villages (10 in each mandal). The campaign was
carried out by a group of 14 members – girls supported by Gramya who are college students and staff of
Gramya. In each village, we distributed pamphlets on the issue and displayed posters on the issue of
violence against women (One Billion Rising), the need to protect the girl child, and scientific information
on gender determination through X and Y chromosome to give the message that men are responsible
for the sex of the child. Through the campaign, we were able to learn about the problems in the area
and people’s perception regarding the girl child. Details of community views are provided below for
future learning.
Chandampet Mandal
Chandampet mandal is extremely backward region of Nalgonda district bordering Mehaboobnagar.
Many of the villages have poor connectivity. Mostly inhabited by Lambadi community in Thanda’s, it
continues to be excluded from mainstream development. The region being part of the rain shadow area
is poor in natural resources. The small and marginal farmers in the area who earlier grew food crops
have now switched over to grow BT Cotton. As a result, agriculture is like a game of chance, with heavy
investments and poor returns from time to time. Most farmers as well as landless labor are indebted in
the region.
22
1. Mosanagadda Thanda
There are 200 households in the village. Discussions with men and women highlighted that they
continue to practice female infanticide. This is publicly acknowledged and community elders are
aggressive in stating that everyone must have a son and it is ok to give away a girl child or get rid of her
by any means (selling). If families have two or three sons, they immediately adopt terminal family
planning. However, in case they have daughters, they wait for a son. They also have superstitious beliefs
that if a child is born with a cord around his/her neck, then the next child would be a boy in which case
they would like to wait for the next pregnancy. Child marriage is also rampant in the village due to the
belief that no girl should remain in the house after she is 14 years old. The community members are also
not availing of government hostel facilities for boys or girls because they feel that the children are not
getting adequate food.
23
2. Guvvalagutta
The village is located in an interior area and does not have any public transport facility to the village.
There are 14 SHGs in the village but only 2 of them are functioning. Almost all families migrate in search
of work to the neighboring districts. Government school exists in the village but due to lack of teachers,
the school was not running. Only one vidya volunteer works in the school but he is a drunkard and he
does not open the school regularly. The boys in the village are going to private schools to Devarkonda
through Auto services but none of the girls were studying in any private school. Anganwadi teacher is
not regular to the centre and due to her irregularity no children came to the centre. The pregnant
women in the village are going to Miriyalaguda Private Hospital for determining the sex of the child. The
community members have many superstitious beliefs. Child marriages in the village are rampant.
3. Katravath Thanda
The staff and the village community members participated in the Village meetings. Fifteen SHGs are
functional in the village out of 22 SHGs. Three girl children were sent to the Government Cradle
according to the villagers, however this data was not recorded at the crèche centre. The villagers here
do not migrate for work. A Government school is running in the village where all the girl children in the
village are studying and all the boys are studying in the Devarkonda Private schools. We identified a
woman, Nari, a Lambadi woman who is waiting for a boy from her last 18 deliveries. Nine children are
reported to have died (women being treated as baby making machines). Nari’s youngest daughter is 5
years old. Her eldest daughter who was married early is also pregnant now.
24
4. Bugga Thanda
All the 10 SHGs and one group of disabled persons is functional in the village. There was no information
about children being sent to the cradle. On the other hand, Gramya staff came to know that girl children
were being killed in this village. There were reports of babies being buried in the backyard of family
homes. The pregnant women are not taking back their girl child after their deliveries from the hospitals.
The women in the village don’t know about the government schemes for the protection of girl child. The
men in the village informed that girl child will be killed until a boy was born.
5. Munavath Thanda
The villagers informed that no girl child was being sold or killed in the village. When the staff questioned
about why there were very few girls in the village, villagers stated that this year many boys were born
and perhaps next year more girls will be born. Two cases were identified in the village in which women
were sent out of their homes for giving birth to girl children. But their husbands made false claims that
their wives were having affairs because of which they left them.
25
6. Bollaram
No SHGs are functional in the village. A villager, Narasimha informed that in the past no one was
interested to have girl children whereas now the villagers are thinking and even sending their girls to
school. School dropouts in the village are high specially of girls. Government School is not running
regularly. Large number of families migrate regularly to neighboring districts in search of work. Though
ANM is coming to the village regularly, the pregnant women go to Devarkonda private hospitals for
regular checkups.
26
7. Kambalapally
Majority of the community here are from backward caste and scheduled caste. No public transportation
facility is available to the village. The women in the village go to Devarkonda Private Hospital as well as
Miriyalaguda private hospitals through RMP doctor’s recommendation. The pregnant women are not
registering their names in Anganwadi centres until fifth month till they know it is a boy child. We
understand that girl children are aborted in Miriyalaguda. Child marriages are rampant in the village.
27
8. Kambalapally - Chenchu Colony
A total of 62 families live in the village. Only 4 families own land and remaining men collect honey,
Mahua flower (to make alcohol) and work as daily wage workers to earn their livelihoods. Only after
consultation of RMP doctor the women go to another doctor and mostly he refers to Dr Ramulu Naik,
Jyothi Hospital and Miriyalaguda Hospitals. The villagers reported that Rs. 10,000 was being collected for
an abortion in Miriyalaguda. The villagers are very keen to have a son. No girl child is killed in the village
but they won’t undergo tubectomy or vasectomy until a boy is born.
28
9. Yapalapaya Thanda
Ten SHGs exist in the village and none of them are functioning. The pregnant women are going to
Miriyalaguda and Hyderabad for checkups. When Gramya staff questioned whether the sex of the child
is revealed by the doctors, we were informed that, Rs 10,000 is collected to inform the sex of the child.
No girl births are registered in the Anganwadi centre in 2010. Forty two boys were born in that year, a
clear indication of female infanticide. School dropout numbers are high in the village.
10. Polyanaik Thanda
Most community members in the village migrate to neighboring districts in search of work. Previously 22
girl children were sold/killed as per the information of the Ex-Sarpanch. However with Gramya
intervention the situation has improved. Children go to school regularly now. The women are going to
Devarkonda private hospitals for medical checkups. The women are registering their names in
Anganwadi centres in the fourth month. Gramya is running a seasonal hostel for the children whose
families have migrated this year.
29
11. Buddoni Thanda
Only three SHGs out of 10 are functional in the village. Migration is high. The families come back to the
village only for festivals. The women are going to hospitals with suggestion from RMP. Women reported
that if they don’t have a boy, then their husband will marry another girl to have a son. The village has
many educated families but they are also keen to have a son. Even after explaining about X Y
chromosomes, they feel women are responsible. None of the girls in village are educated beyond class
V.
30
12. Building Thanda
Four SHGs out of 5 are functioning in the village. There are 150 households in the village. No cases of girl
children being sold or killed were reported by the villagers. But the girl child sex ratio is negative in the
village. All the pregnant women are undergoing their medical checkups in the Amrutarani, Jyothi and
Ramulu Naik Private Hospitals (Ramulu Naik is a Senior Government Doctor posted in Mehaboob Nagar
but runs a private practice in Devarkonda).
13. Pandirigundu Thanda
There are 10 SHGs in the village but none are functional. One child was given to government cradle from
the village as the girl is fourth daughter of that family. Gamana (another local NGO) staff identified this
case. NGO staff working in this area was paid Rs 3000 for putting a child in the cradle. The villagers do
not own lands but migrate or work in neighboring village. Though the pregnant women are registered
with ANM, they go to Amrita Rani, Ramulu Naik Private Hospitals in Devarkonda.
31
PA Pally Mandal
Gramya has started working in this mandal from January 2012. It is promoting Back to Basics school
programme to improve education in primary schools. Majority of the community members belong to SC
community.
1.
Balaji Nagar Thanda
Many girls are out of school in this village. Families are taking their girls along with them for work when
they migrate. Boys in the village are studying in Private Schools. Some of the girls are studying in
government schools. Many of the girls are seen in the cotton fields picking cotton and their parents are
not giving exact reason why her girl is working in the field and not going to school. A case of girl who was
put in cradle is identified in the village. Door to door campaign was carried out in the village.
2.
Madarigudem
After talking to the families who have more than three daughters, we found that the families are feeling
very sad for not having a boy. It was reported that, a villager who was very keen to have a son after two
daughters came to know that his wife was carrying a third daughter. He first forced an abortion on her
and then he killed her. No one in the village was willing to file a complaint. This person married another
32
woman and now he has another two daughters. It is reported that pregnant women mostly travel to
Hyderabad to have abortions. This is a resource rich village due to a canal flowing through their lands.
3.
Medaram
Single women are more in numbers in the village. Alcoholism and domestic violence are serious
problems in the village. The men in the community go to neighboring village to drink alcohol. The out of
school children are large in numbers even though migration is not a problem in the village.
4.
Padamati Thanda
The villagers in the community prepare country alcohol in all families. Even children drink alcohol in the
village. Few children go to school. Parents are not interested to send their daughters to school but use
them as family labor. All the families migrate annually from the village and return only in March. One
baby girl was given to the government cradle.
33
5.
Angadi Pet
Here it was identified that girl child sales are taking place regularly. One woman from the village who
has moved to Hyderabad acts as a broker. Seven children were sold through the broker. The matter has
been brought to the attention of the DSP Devarkonda. Four girls from here were put in the Government
cradle. This village is resource rich due to availability of water for irrigation. It is necessary to continue
campaign and have criminals arrested in the village to stop the practice of sales.
6.
Yerragattu Thanda
All the 16 SHGs are functioning in the village. Most of the families migrate annually. Girl children are also
taken along with their parents. A child from the village was reported to be given to the cradle but was
not recorded in the register. The women informed that the girls in the village will be married at the age
of 16 or else the neighbors will give the girl a bad reputation. All the pregnant women are performing
their medical checkups in the Amrutarani, Jyothi, Ramulu Naik Private Hospitals.
34
Devarkonda Mandal
Gramya has been working in this mandal since 1997. We have been serially working in new villages so
that we can take the message of protection of the girl child to the mandal. We have started reaching out
to the villages reported here.
1.
Chinta Chettu Thanda
Ten SHGs were functioning out of fifteen. Sali, Anganwadi Ayah informed that a girl child is sold to a
family in Hyderabad. Sales are regularly happening in the village. She also informed that, some of the
families take their daughters to Hyderabad saying that she is suffering from fever and come back to the
village after selling their daughter and tell their neighbors that the daughter has died. Worrying about
dowry at the time of marriage is given as an excuse to sell girls. Many families with more than 9
daughters were identified and all of them are still trying for a son. They were given counseling about XY
chromosomes but no one is interested in scientific knowledge. Several men have married a second wife
in the hope of a son.
2.
Patya Thanda
The pregnant women were performing their medical checkups in Devarkonda Hospitals. The families are
interested to know the sex of the child. Only ten families live in Patya Thanda. This village is beside
Chinta Chettu Thanda. The existing SHG is functional in the village.
35
36
3.
Devar Thanda
Four SHGs out of nine are functional in the village. As per the ICDS register 40 boys of age group 0-6
years were registered and only 9 girls are registered. The families informed that they need to spend Rs.
10,000 to know the sex of the child. The villagers are saying that this year the population of boys are
more. Four women in the meeting said that they lost their pregnancies due to ill health. All the four
women undergo their treatment in Devarkonda Private Hospitals. Out of the four women only one case
had registered in the Anganwadi centre. Bigamy is common here.
4.
Gowrikunta Thanda
Children in the village continue to be out of school and child labor especially girls is rampant in the
village. Most of the boys in the village are studying in the Devarkonda Private Schools. Villagers migrate
in search of work annually to the neighboring villages. Girl children will be taken away along with the
parents during migration. Women are scared of undergoing family planning operations. Two girl babies
from this village were to the government cradle.
37
5.
Karobar Thanda
Child marriages are rampant in the village. The girls in the village are studying up to class V. After
completion of the Primary education, the girl children are being married or performing house hold work
or going to work in their own lands. The villagers believe that if a girl is highly educated, they need to
spend high amounts for dowry. The women were undergoing their medical checkups in Devarkonda and
Hyderabad. Anganwadi teacher informed that the pregnant women were registering their names only
after 3 or 4 months probably after ascertaining the sex of the child.
38
6.
Sherpally Pedda Thanda
Migration is high in the village. Only the elder in the family is staying at the home. Girls are being taken
to Hyderabad by their family saying that she is ill and are selling them and returning back informing that
their girl child is dead. A woman Renuka, w/o Ramesh had a 3rd daughter. They planned to sell their
daughter in Hyderabad. The case came to notice of Gramya Staff who counseled the family and girl child
is restored to the parents. Another woman, R Bujji w/o Swamy has three daughters. Both the families
are provided a food grant by Gramya.
7.
Mallepally
Mallepally is located in the centre of the Mandal. The villagers informed that, as the village is located in
the centre, the neighboring villagers are leaving their daughters in nearby lakes, roads, and bus stop.
They also told that they are not killing/selling/giving away their girl children. Child marriages are
common in the village. Girl Children of class VI are being married. Due to the existence of Social Action
Committees set up by SERP, the villagers are saying that they are able to solve their problems by
themselves. It was reported that many of the pregnant women are going to Miriyalaguda and
Hyderabad Private Hospitals for medical checkups and possible abortions.
39
8.
Danjilal Thanda
The villagers in the community are not interested to talk to the team and also informed us that they are
not facing any problems in the village. All the six SHGs are functioning in the village. Two children are
given to the government cradle. This is an indication of problems in the village. Only 7 girls were
registered at the ICDS centre compared to 13 boys. While one woman wanted to speak to the Gramya
team, others forced her to stop and took her away.
9.
Mudigonda
Two Anganwadi centres are functioning in the village. All the 20 SHGs are functioning in the village.
Many of the children living in the neighboring villages are studying in the Ashram Patashala and
Government schools but the children in the village are going to Devarkonda English Medium school. The
families undergo their medical checkups in Miriyalaguda and Hyderabad. Lalitha, Anganwadi teacher
informed that women are not registering their names in the centre before 5th month because some of
the families undergo sex determination test in Chaitanyapuri, Hyderabad.
40
41
10.
Fakirpuram
Five SHGs out of seven are functioning in the village. Two girls are given to the government cradle and
we could find information only about one. A pregnant woman, Manga went to a village near
Miriyalaguda and returned after five months without any baby with her. When the neighbors
questioned about the baby, she said that her baby had died at the time of delivery. Women in this
village drink herbal medicine in the hope of having a son. It was reported that the herbs caused
abortions.
11.
Gudi Thanda
All the 11 SHGs in the village are functioning. Four children are given away to the government cradle.
Most of the villagers don’t approach doctors for medical checkups but they believe in traditional medical
treatments. Some of the villagers go to Devarkonda Private Hospital with the suggestion from RMP. No
transportation facility is available to the village.
42
Conclusion
The campaign highlighted the need for serious long term work to bring about change in community
attitudes. The District Administration clearly needs to activate the PCPNDT monitoring committees.
CSOs need to increase their vigilance to stop sale of babies, feticide, child labor and promote education
of the girl child. Experiences in East Asia, show that son preference reduces when girls are enabled to
access college education and earn a decent livelihood. We need to follow this path. Political leaders
have an important role to play by overcoming their patriarchal attitudes and acting as models to protect
the girl child.
43
GRAMEENA MAHILA MANDALI (GMM)-SOLIPET
The GMM has been implementing the programme, in selected 10 Gram Panchayats namely Thumkunta,
Ramalingampally, Malyala, Thimmapur, Solipet, Cheekatimamidi, Pyaravaram Boinpally, Govind Thanda
and Nayakuni thanda of Bommalaramaram mandal of Nalgonda district and also covered 6 hamlets of
these Gram Panchayaths such as Gaddaral Thanda, Somajipally thanda, Chandu thanda, Ramuni thanda,
Botimeedi thanda and Laxmi thanda with the support by Gramya and Action Aid. The programme was
aimed to sensitize the people on PCPNDT Act and improve the Girl child ratio by stopping the pre
mature sex determination and Girl child selling and trafficking. Following activities were undertaken in
the three months of the campaign.
Survey on PCPNDT Act:
The GMM collected the information as per the prescribed format given by AA/GRAMYA Resource
Centre. Information was mobilized from ICDS centres, Asha Workers and Scan Centres.
Wall Writings:
The wall writings were done in main streets and places of 10 respective villages which emphasized the
role of women in our society and also significance of PCPNDT act.
Orientation programme for ICDS Teachers at Mandal level:
Orientation programme was conducted for ICDS teachers on importance of PCPNDT act on 20 th
November 2012 at MPDO office Bommalaramaram. During the meeting we have invited Ms.
Suryakunmari, CDPO as a Chief Guest of the programme and Ms. Kameshwari, ACDPO from ICDS
department and Dr. Vasantha Kumar from PHC Bommalaramaram attended as a resource person and
Ms. D. Vijayalaxmi President of GMM, T. Premarani, Coordinator of GMM and ICDS teachers attended
from all 23 GPs and habitations nearly 70 members attended the orientation programme. The
programme objective was to sensitize the ICDS teachers on PCPNDT act and evils of Gender
determination for sex selective abortions.
Ms. D. Vijayalaxmi, President of GMM presided over the meeting in her introductory speech she
highlighted that due to lack of awareness among the people on PCPNDT act and Gender discrimination
the people refused the girl child births. During her speech she motivated the participants on PCPNDT
act. As per the act girl/boy as given equal rights to survival, but due to illiteracy, gender discrimination
few of the communities especially tribes, SC and BC communities aborted the girl child. As per the
PCPNDT act it is a crime to encourage feticide. So at village level the ICDS teachers are playing proactive
role to address the female feticide and motivating the pregnant women and respective hospital staff on
significance of PCPNDT Act. The problem is very severe in Warangal and third is Nalgonda district in
Andhra Pradesh state. Hence the Government is also implementing the programme called “Maarpu”.
44
The programme is aimed to reduce the IMR and MMR. As part of this programme we should protect the
mother and child in our respective villages.
Ms. Suryakumari, CDPO congratulated GMM for undertaking the educational activity of PCPNDT Act.
She said that “Actually our Women and Child department is spending more money and introducing
various programmes to reduce the IMR and MMR .Women&Child department takes care of the child
from womb of the mother by providing nutrition and vaccinations. “she also advised that if any one
doing female feticide the information should be given to higher officials who would would ensure
punishment..After that Dr. Vasanthakumar and Ms. Kameshwari ACDPO also spoke about the act. The
programme ended at 4 p.m.
Village level meetings:
The GMM organized meeting with CBOs, Anganwadi teachers and Asha workers in all 10 villages. During
the meeting Ms. D. Vijayalaxmi, President of GMM and Ms. Prema Rani, Coordinator spoke. Ms. D.
Vijayalaxmi highlighted the importance and implementation of PCPNDT act. According to the ACT sex
determination is a crime and Doctors are prohibited from revealing the sex of the fetus.The doctors
should follow seven steps as per the terms and conditions of the Sonogrophy scan centre.
How to stop female infanticide was discussed. It was agreed to set up the Child protection committees
and Anganwadi teachers, Asha workers should monitor the scan centres and also motivate the RMP
doctors about the PCPNDT act and also form the vigilance committees at village level, Mandal level and
district level to visit the scan centres regularly to stop female feticide.
Due to lack of awareness among the parents, RMP doctors and unauthorized Scan centre hospitals, the
girl child is removed from womb (after confirmation girl/boy from scan centre reports) which impacted
to reduce the female ratio, out of 1000 male 921 female was there as per the 2011 censes. Similar
village level meetings were organized in following villages with an outreach of 443 members.
The village level meetings
S.No
1
Thumkunta
12/11/2012
No. of
Participants
40
2
Ramalingampally
11/11/2012
54
3
Solipet
03/12/2012
45
4
Cheekatimamidi
13/12/2012
55
5
Pyaravarm
8/12/2012
48
6
Boinpally
7/12/2012
30
45
Name of the Villages
Date
Resource persons
D. Vijayalaxmi &
T. Premarani
T. Premarani &
A. Mallesh
D. Vijayalaxmi &
T. Premarani
D. Vijayalaxmi &
T. Premarani
D. Vijayalaxmi & T.
Premarani
T. Premarani & A.
7
Thimmapur
06/12/2012
55
8
Malyala
15/11/2012
35
9
Govind Thanda
17/11/2012
40
10
Nayakuni Thanda
22/11/2012
40
Mallesh
D. Vijayalaxmi
Premarani
T. Premarani
Mallesh
T. Premarani
Mallesh
T. Premarani
Mallesh
& T.
& A.
& A.
& A.
Door to Door awareness campaign:
A door to door awareness campaign was organized in 10 targeted villages to motivate the people about
the PCPNDT act and its implementation to reduce the aberrations in these villages. During the door to
door campaign GMM staff directly met the pregnant women and counseled them regarding equal rights
in our Indian Constitution. But in tribal thandas, BC sub-caste Golla & Kurma and SC community
discriminate against Girl child just because of dowry and their economical status is also very poor (living
below poverty line). Advice was provided to the Anganwadi teachers to regularly monitor pregnant
women upto six months since abortions are being carried out even at this late stage.
Pilupu Report from Turkapally and Narketpally Mandals
Pilupu has worked to campaign against sex selective abortions keeping in view the severe fall in the sex
ratio in the district. Following activities were carried out.
Awareness to staff on the problem of reduced ratio of girl child
Awareness to Asha worker and anganwaadi workers
Awareness to college students.
Wall writings to spread Campaign messages
Writing and distributing pamphlets
Giving awareness to village community men and women on the issue.
Survey to understand the extent of the problem.
Ten villages were surveyed to understand the issue and data shared with Action Aid.
46
To start the campaign first, staff were given an awareness input on November 10th at Bhongir. To
conduct this, National Monitoring Committee Member Ms Asha Singh and Ms Anuradha of Actionaid
acted as resource persons. They created awareness on the PCPNDT ACT. Twenty staff members were
then taken to visit Mamta Diagnosis Centre where they learnt about what records should be maintained
and scrutinized.
On 22 November all the Anganwadi staff, Asha worker and ANMs were given training at Turkapally. Dr
Sunil Kumar from the PHC talked about the PCPNDT act. Sixty four members participated in the
programme.
On 27th November the issue was discussed with 95 college students from Padala junior college at
Turkapally. Dr Rukmini Rao, Ms Sumalatha and Ms Kalpana participated in the meeting. Gender issue
and the need of gender equality was stressed.
2000 pamphlets were distributed, posters put up in 10 villages and wall writings also created. In the 10
selected villages campaign was carried out from 24th to 29th November. SHG members and Farmers
organizations participated in the campaign.
Adress has worked in Yadagirigutta and Aleru to take forward the campaign
In these mandals twenty villages were selected to implement the campaign. Initially staff training was
conducted as mentioned above for the staff. In the selected villages survey was carried out and
information given to Actionaid.
In the 20 villages slogans were put up in prominent places such as milk collection centres Water plants
and Gram Panchayat offices and Sangha Bandha offices. The issue was discussed with the ICDS Project
officer Ms Swaroopa Rani in depth. The health staff including doctors also promised to extend all
support to the programme. The MPDOs also agreed to alert their staff. Other persons sensitized include
political leaders, SHG leaders at the village level and school teachers as well as men. In Yadagiri gutta
mandal one hundred high school students from Masiahpeta and Motakundur were sensitized. Rally was
carried out with students and other government staff.
47
Campaign Carried out by PEACE in Bhongir, Choutuppal, and Rajapet mandals
Purpose:


To create awareness among the general public on the declining of girl child sex ratio
To save the girl child from female feticide and female infanticide
Process:
Initially Peace conducted the survey in the selected 30 villages of the three mandals. After conducting
survey in all the villages’ Anganwadi teachers were informed to mobilize the general public for meeting
which they agreed to. They were asked publicize the event through drums if necessary and were also
suggested to take the help of Asha workers in the villages for mobilizing the public.
The meetings were facilitated by K.Nimmiah, K.Aruna, G.Srinivas and K.Prasad
Discussion Points:
At first the facilitator briefly explained about the objective of the meeting. The participants were clearly
explained about the PCPNDT act. Why this act has been formulated by the government and when it
came into existence and what it states. It was enacted to stop female feticides and arrest the declining
sex ratio in the country.
The female feticide has began in the early 1980 as the wide spread began of ultrasound came into
existence. According to the latest census the national female sex ratio has declined to 914/1000. In
some states the situation is worse for ex 773/1000 in Chandigarh. In Andhra Pradesh the situation is bad
and in our Nalgonda district the girl child ratio is 921 and it has declined steeply in the last 10 years.
The government of India has introduced the PCPNDT act to curb female feticide and implemented it
since 1996. According to this act it is illegal to do selective sex determination of the baby. If doctors or
radiologists inform the sex of the child, they are prone to prosecution and if found guilty they would be
imprisoned for three years and also they have to pay a fine of Rs.50000.
The participants were also explained about the various schemes available for the girl child in the
Anganwadi centres. Many appreciated this as they were not aware of the facilities being provided at the
Anganwadi centres.
Response:
The public response was good for the meeting. They feel that dowry is the main reason why many don’t
want to have the girl child and another reason is the desire for the baby boy, so they can continue their
family legacy. Majority feel that dowry is the main reason as they are not able to repay the debts
incurred for the marriage. In some cases they are ready to accept the girl child if she happens to be first
child, there after they want only sons.
When asked about any abortions taking place in the village, many feel that abortions are happening but
not due to sex determination. They all feel that due to improper growth of the baby the abortions are
taking place. Some felt that it is not easy to find out the exact reason for abortion.
48
They feel that these abortions are happening due to greediness of the doctors, if doctors follow the
rules and regulations and do not conduct any abortion, the present situation wouldn’t have arisen
today.
Take away message:

Save girl child from female feticides and female infanticides

Stop sex determination test

Parents should look after the girl child without any discrimination

Both male and female child should be considered equal

Please inform district officials or local NGOs if they come across any doctor performing sex
determination test so that necessary action can be taken against him
In Bhongir Mandal, the meeting has conducted in the following villages.
Sl.No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Name of the village
Anantaram
Vadaparthi
BN Thimmapur
Anajpuram
Raigir
Cheemalakondur
Musthyalapally
Chandupatla
Kesaram
Kunoor
Name of the facilitator
K.Aruna
K.Nimmaiah
K.Nimmaiah
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
Pamphlets were distributed to the participants at the end of the meeting.
49
Name of the Mandal: Choutuppal
In Choutuppal Mandal, the meeting has conducted in the following villages.
Sl.No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Name of the village
Choutuppal
Chinnakondur
Peddakondur
Sangam
Thangadapally
Chinthalagudem
Koyyalagudem
Peepalpahad
Damara
Lakkaram
Name of the facilitator
Suresh
Suresh
Suresh
Suresh
K.Prasad
Suresh
Suresh
Suresh
Suresh
Suresh
Name of the Mandal: Rajapet
The meetings were facilitated by G.Srinivas and K.Prasad
In Rajapet Mandal, the meeting was conducted in the following villages.
Sl.No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
50
Name of the village
Doodhivenkatapuram
Renikunta
Pamukunta
Khurraram
Begumpeta
Singaram
Namilae
Parupally
Name of the facilitator
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
G.Srinivas & K.Prasad
ANKITA
Place of implementation: Tripuram and Peddavoora Mandals of Nalgonda dist
ANKITA as an ex-implementator of the ACTIONAID programs in the Nalgonda Dist
(1998-2008) received an offer / invitation from ACTIONAID to be a part to implement the
PCPNDT program in Nalgonda district. Initially in the month of August 2012
ACTIONAID had organized a meeting with the NGOs at state level and shared
/gathered the information about the female infanticide and foeticide cases and work
experience and present status in the state. ACTIONAID after this meeting concluded
that the roots of the issue are due to improper implementation of PCPNDT act in the
state.
ACTIONAID decided to work on the issue of Decline in child sex ratio hence planned
and organized a meeting with state level NGOs along with MS. Varsha Deshpande of
Dalit Vikas Mahila Mandal and legal activist from Satara, Maharashtra. ANKITA (staff &
sangha leaders) participated in the meeting and learnt many truths about the PCPNDT
act and its implementation in the state. GRAMYA in Nalgonda district took the initiation
to design the program and supervise the implementation status of the planned activities
of the PCPNDT program in Nalgonda district.
The activities with calculated budgets that were allotted to organize by ANKITA and
successfully completed are as fallows.
1.
Awareness (Wall writings Rs. 15000/-)
A part from the Kalajathas, posters and palmplets designed and organized by
ACTIONAID. Awareness through wall writing i.e., writing of slogans about saving the girl
child and benefits of women in the community in the local language was organized in
the remote hamlets and villages of target/ planned mandals of Nalgonda district.
In Tripuraram mandal 25 villages and in Peddavora mandal 28 villages wall writings
were completed.
2.
Village level meetings ( Rs.6000/-)
As per the plan, village level meetings were organized in all the villages and hamlets
with local people, Anganwadi staff, Village level leaders and other line department
people. Most of the participants are women and adolescent girls. Watch Committees to
protect the girl child were formed as per the plan at 20 villages of Peddavoora and
Tripuraram mandals.
Mr. P.Ravi Kumar project director of ANKITA along with his team organized the
meetings. In the meeting Mr. P. Ravi Kumar explained about the PCPNDT act in local
language with understandable illustrations to the the non literatepeople also. The
51
village leaders appreciated the program and the approach of the ACTIONAID regarding
the issue.
3.
Study ( Rs.1500/-)
Before starting the wall writings and village level meetings in the target / planned area a
study was organized at the planned area and headquarters of the planned area. The
study was mainly performed on gathering the information about the nearest scanning
centers of the target villages like Manufacturing, Purchasing, Registration and renewal
details of the scanning machines and about the maintenance of the required documents
in the scanning centers and submission of information to the concerned authorities and
also about the verification and visits of the authorities were obtained from the study.
And regarding the study about the Anganwadi centers in the target area the primary
information like No. of families in the village/ hamlet and total no of male, female,
children between 1-18, Total No of pregnant women, Delivered still born, and abortions
undergone by women were noted.
And regarding the girl children a study was undertaken by getting the information that
how many girl children are between the age of 0-6 and 7-18 and how many of them
registered and benefitting with Bala Samrakshana scheme and Janani Samraksha
Yojana & Sukhibhava Schemes. Information about how many pregnant, delivered
women is availing nutrition food and finally how women had under gone family planning
operation and also after how many children was noted.
The study helped ActionAid and all NGOs to plan their activities.
4.
NGOs travel ( Rs.6750/-)
The allotted budget was utilized for the purpose of allotment i.e., travels to NGO team
for successful completion of the program. The NGO contributed a small amount
towards completing the task.
5.
Campaign on Decline child sex ratio
A campaign was organized at state headquarters, Hyderabad on the issue of decline
child sex ratio by the ACTIONAID. All the NGOs working on the issue participated in the
same. A big rally was organized at Hyderabad on the eve of Human rights day and
about 1000 participants from all over state from different NGOs participated in the rally
with placards and banners with the slogans against decline child sex ratio.
ANKITA also participated in the rally and in the meeting followed at Haryana Bhavan
Hyderabad. The Honorable Minister Ms Sunitha Lakshma Reddy had attended the
meeting as chief guest. The sangha leader of ANKITA Ms. Kanthamma shared her
experience of working with ANKITA on the issue of female infanticide and foeticide. She
52
also presented some live testimonies of the rescued girl children in their home villages.
The parents of the girls have became ambassadors to stop the decline in child sex
ratio.
Outcome:





53
Awareness on PCPNDT act among women in the target area
Scanning centre management are performing their duties perfectly
Awareness among the doctors for PCPNDT act
Health checkups of pregnant women increased
Delicateness among the Anganwadi centers staff was increased
Grass
Detail report awaited.
Grass has mobilized officials and ZP CEO to speak out on the problem of reducing sex ratio and the need
to promote education for girls and reduce discriminatory practices. The ZP CEO Mr Koti Reddy speaking
at Motkur Mandal Parishad has advised all the MPDOs to take action to protect the girl child.
54
In addition, the pamphlet prepared by Gramya for the campaign was released in Marrigudem to raise
awareness among the media and general public on the issue of sex discrimination and the PCPNDT Act.
All the local newspapers carried the information.
55
56
Grass also collected data for the study carried out by ActionAid in Marriguda and Narayanapur Mandals.
In addition to these events, Grass planned a sting operation in Choutuppal along with Gramya.
Unfortunately this could not take place for a variety of reasons.
Learning from the Campaign
Overall, the three months campaign could successfully reach out to a large number of people in the 15
mandals where the campaign was carried out. We reached out to community members, youth in local
colleges and the officials. We could successfully motivate the district administration to take up
awareness raising campaigns in the district. Part of the reason for the administration to act is the
pressure from the state and central government to re-examine the issue of reducing child sex ratio and
to ensure a safety net for girls. On the other hand, we had little success to ensure the implementation of
the PCPNDT Act. In spite of many efforts by the NGOs, little effort has been made to activate the
advisory committee as well as the PCPNDT appropriate authority at the district level. It is clear that we
need to carry out a long struggle to monitor the scanning centres and also to stop the use of mobile
vans.
While we have inspected many scanning centres and found the record keeping poor, there was not
much room to ask for stringent action against the erring doctors. The District Collector was willing to act
against mobile vans provided the NGOs gave him on the spot information. This will need to be done in
the future.
At the state level, awareness has been created among officials and the women and child welfare
department. However, the Department of Health which needs to take action has been slow to react. In
the coming months, we need to meet the Minister of Health and take further steps.
Post Script
In January 2013, the Nalgonda District Administration have organized a huge public meeting and rally at
Devarkonda to showcase the potential of women and to discuss how to reduce gender discrimination.
More than 8000 students, community leaders and officials attended this meeting held on 23rd January.
57
Annexure II
Press Release January 7,2013
Supreme Court admits writ petition against licensing and trials with “Cervical Cancer” vaccines
implicating the Drugs Controller of India, PATH, ICMR and others ordering Government of India to
immediately respond
Gardasil and Cervarix are two unproven and hazardous HPV vaccines purported to prevent cervical
cancer, marketed in India by MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (subsidiary of Merck) and GlaxoSmithKline
Ltd. The petition challenging their licensing for use in the private sector and attempts to introduce them
in the public sector has been filed by Kalpana Mehta, Nalini Bhanot and V. Rukmini Rao representing
(Gramya Resource Centre for Women from Andhra Pradesh). The petition implicates the Drugs
Controller for having licensed the vaccines without adequate research on safety and efficacy; the Health
Ministry for not carrying out an enquiry into licensing of these vaccines as ordered by the Parliamentary
Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in April 2010 nor taking any action on the report of
the enquiry committee set up by itself despite all irregularities of PATH project being confirmed. Rather
than looking at safety and efficacy of these vaccines in India, this project was meant to influence the
government to adopt these vaccines for introduction in the public sector.
The petitioners are represented by the well known public interest senior advocate Colin Gonsalves of
Human Rights Law Network who presented the case before the Supreme Court on January 7, 2013. The
Supreme Court admitted the case and has asked the Government of India to immediately file its reply in
the matter.
PATH had initiated a project for the introduction of the two vaccines in India by signing an MoU with
ICMR even before they were licensed by the Drugs Controller of India. This project was funded by Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) who had substantial stakes in Merck that produced the vaccine
and hence there was a direct conflict of interest. PATH was helped by ICMR in carrying out large scale
trials in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat unethically and without regard for health of poor
tribal girls. The unethical nature of the study and deaths of girls became the subject of Governmental
enquiry in 2010 when the matter was repeatedly raised by activists. This enquiry concluded that there
were many gross violations in the project with respect to procedures for taking informed consent,
inadequate health facilities for dealing with adverse events and medical emergencies. Yet after two
years of the enquiry the government had not even initiated any action to redress the situation and to
punish PATH and ICMR as admitted by Ghulam Nabi Azad before the Indian Parliament in December
2011.
58
The petitioners are health activists who have been raising the issue with the Health Ministry, the Drugs
Controller, National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights and other authorities including the
government of Andhra Pradesh and have not made any headway. Hence a petition was filed under
article 32 of the Constitution by them..
Hazards of the vaccines and unproven benefits :
The vaccines are genetically engineered and their hazards are unknown even to the scientific
communities. Though r-DNA has been detected in Gardasil in samples from many countries including
India, in their application for licensing MSD pharmaceuticals claimed that there was no hazard because
there was no r-DNA. GlaxoSmithKline uses a novel technique for producing Cervarix which involves the
use of insect cells. Their product information admitted to their vaccine containing insect cells and
proteins only in July 2011 though the vaccine was already in use since 2007. These residues or
adventitious agents enter the blood stream when the vaccine is injected and are acknowledged to have
the capacity to cause infections, tumours and cancer. What is noteworthy is that neither of these
vaccines has been studied to determine their potential to cause cancer. In addition, the Drugs Controller
has not even set standards of acceptable limits for such contamination in vaccines on the basis of which
he could have found them safe for licensing.
Though both the vaccines are claimed to prevent cervical cancer, the truth is that cervical cancer takes
twenty or more years to develop and the vaccines have just not been around that long to prove their
efficacy in preventing cancer. But what is known with certainty is that if these vaccines are given to
women who already are infected with the virus then they do raise the incidence of cervical cancer
among those women.
Gardasil was first licensed in the USA in June 2006. This licensing was done on fast track with numerous
conflicts of interests not only on the review board but also in that that the vaccine patent was held in
PPP and the FDA itself as a part of the health department would benefit from the sales.
Licensing issues:
Both vaccines were licensed for use among girls and women in India on the basis of very small studies
that flouted even the liberalized Indian law. This law allows easy access to the Indian market for drugs
and vaccines produced by multi-national companies once they are approved in the home country. In
2005 this law also made it possible for multi-national companies to hold trials for unapproved drugs in
India simultaneous to international trials.
Targeting adoloscents
59
These vaccines are supposed to work best when administered to girls in the age group of 9-14, before
sexual debut. In the case of Cervarix GlaxoSmithKline did a trial with just 176 adult women and was
granted a license for an age group of 10-45 year old women. This trial just looked at anti-body levels
achieved and immediate side effects. No trial was done among Indian girls.
In the case of Gardasil, Merck through its subsidiary MSD signed an MOU with ICMR in 2005 but did not
proceed with the studies that were envisaged involving thousands of women. But once it was licensed in
the USA it did a speedy trial on its own with only 110 Indian girls 10-14 year old again to see immediate
immune response. But it got a license by the DCGI to administer it to women from 9-26 years old though
not a single adult woman had undergone a trial. According to the Indian law a trial on adults has to
precede a trial among children and it was these violations that had been brought to the notice of the
Parliamentary Committee that had asked for a proper enquiry into licensing.
Violations in PATH project:
PATH on its own had decided to do studies with the HPV vaccine in four countries and India was one of
them. The Indian market is substantial if a vaccine is accepted in the immunization programme. There is
documentary evidence that though PATH is an NGO in this case it had entered into business agreement
with Merck so that Merck had a ready market for the vaccine in the resource poor countries. In fact
PATH got funding from BMGF in the very month that Gardasil was licensed in the USA. It signed an MOU
with ICMR for this purpose. ICMR played along though it was clear that the vaccine was too expensive
for India to afford. For each girl vaccinated the country would need to spend Rs 10,000 for three shots.
The vaccines were marketed by hyping the risk of cervical cancer. Yet the fruits of this approach were
not going to be reaped for 30-40 years or when the ten year olds crossed the age of forty - the age
group when women are susceptible to cervical cancer. ICMR went ahead though it knew that the
country is unable to meet the present needs of medicines to meet the current problems of the
population like T.B. and malaria and could ill afford to spend money for these uncertain products.
Further through its cancer registries it was also aware that the incidence of cervical cancer was declining
and it was not a major health problem of the country.
PATH project was carried out in total disregard to scientific approach. It made false claims about the
safety of vaccines and their efficacy. When the project took off there was no data to figure out the need
for boosters, how the malnourished girls of India would respond to the vaccine that had so far only been
administered to a healthy population. Yet a large number of girls in A.P. and Gujarat were told all kinds
of lies and administered a vaccine that had serious side effects including death. When four girls died in
Andhra Pradesh women’s groups raised a hue and cry in 2010 and the government ordered an enquiry.
60
The Government of AP, of Gujarat and PATH made depositions and provided data. The Enquiry
Committee found that records of even informed consent had been fudged. The girls were not asked for
their assent even though the law provides for such assent to be taken in writing. Further no
arrangements were made for providing medical care to them if they suffered serious side effects.
Thus the rights of all 24,000 girls who were recruited by PATH in these trials were flouted as they were
given the vaccine without a chance to make free informed choice. This assertion of women’s groups was
confirmed by the enquiry. However, the Enquiry Committee had no legal expert and could not
determine the liability of PATH towards the girls who were duped or forced into participation in PATH
trial, those who died during the trial and those who would have suffered serious side effects.
PATH did everything to prevent the problems of the study from becoming common knowledge and sat
on data on deaths despite women’s groups making a hue and cry about it at a public meeting organized
by them in December 2009. The petitioners have pointed out that the data on death during the project
is incomplete, illogical and full of discrepancies yet the deaths were called as being unrelated to vaccine
administration. Side effects reported by the Study were very rare and this was also brought out in the
Enquiry. Yet there is no provision of continuing health care of these rural girls. Extrapolating from trial
data of the two companies the petitioners have estimated that there are at least 1,200 girls in the two
states have suffered from serious side effects or have developed auto-immune disorders who need
continuing medical care and treatment.
These questions have been put before the Supreme Court with the hope that prompt justice and care
would be provided to girls who are suffering as a consequence of an ill designed trial carried out by
PATH with the active support of ICMR and the two state governments. By those very governments who
are constitutionally bound to protect their life and health. Given the serious violations indulged by
PATH, the petitioners have asked that PATH be blacklisted and no other foreign agency be allowed to
have field presence.
The petitioners have also asked for the licences of the two products to be suspended and the vaccines
recalled as there has been no scientific basis to allow their administration to girls in the private market
either. The two companies have also flouted Indian law with impunity and have not done the post
marketing studies ordered by the Drugs Controller at the time of licensing. They have not up dated their
product information and hence the Indian medical consumer continues to be in the dark about hazards
of these vaccines that contain insect cells and r-DNA.MSD Pharmaceuticals went a step further and got
the eligible age group extended to 45 year old women in India though this was denied in the U.S.A.
thrice.
61
Kalpana Mehta kalpanaindu@hotmail.com Tel: 9425056985
Nalini Bhanot nalinibeez@gmail.com Tel:9899905851
V. Rukmini Rao vrukminirao@yahoo.com Tel: 9440860271
62
Annexure III
63
64
No to child labor, let us allow girls and women to develop themselves
65