SIGNIFICANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION FOR RURAL WOMEN

SIGNIFICANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION FOR RURAL WOMEN Prof (Dr) T. S. N. Sastry Dean (Academic & Planning) Tamil Nadu Dr. Amebdkar Law University, Chennai 28

Rural Women in Different Avocations

Rural Women in search of work

Introduction n “Society in general, and even rural women themselves, have greatly undervalued and often completely ignored the role of women in maintaining and developing the living countryside with its rich and diversified heritage and traditions

Introduction n A full recognition of women's role in rural development would greatly contribute to rural prosperity and would, in particular, help sustainable rural development in the poorer countries and regions of the world.

Facts on Rural Women n n Rural women, mainly farmers, are at least 1. 6 billion and represent more than a quarter of the total world population. Women produce on average more than half of all the food that is grown: up to 8 O per cent in Africa, 6 O per cent in Asia, between 3 O and 4 O per cent in Latin America and Western countries.

FACTS ON RURAL WOMEN n n n Women own only 2 per cent of the land, and receive only one per cent of all agricultural credit. Only 5 per cent of all agricultural extension resources are directed to women. Women represent two third of all illiterate people.

Facts on Rural Women n n Since many women work in various ways and means especially in the rural areas, their work is not recognised as organised sector and are form part of unorganised sector Unorganised sector is the most neglected sector across the globe

HRE Definition n Education, training, and information aiming at building a universal culture for human rights through the sharing of knowledge , imparting of skills and moulding attitudes

Objectives of Human Rights Education n It helps for the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity Promotes understanding and gender equality and friendship Enables all persons to participate effectively in a free and democratic manner

HRE objectives n n n Promote people centered sustainable development Helps to Achieve social Justice Promotes to acquire skills Promotes values, changes attitudes and behaviour Promotes in action of human rights

Women’s rights n n From UDHR in 1948 till date all the Conventions and Covenants Recognised the rights of Women which include the rights of rural working women The CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against women 1979 is the significant one for women

Women’s rights n n n Equality to be achieved No discrimination between men and women Non-discrimination in employment and pay Guarantee job security in the event of marriage and maternity Social services for their promotion

Women’s Rights n n Right to information, Equal wages for equal work Special concessions and special status should be given Non-Discrimination in health services, including family planning and legal capacity Special attention to Rural Women

ILO Efforts n n n No Discrimination in employment and wages Maternity leave with pay No Night work for women Special concessions to Women Farm and other sector women need to be given special concessions

Indian Situation n n Since independence many efforts have been taken both by the Union and State Governments to promote the rights of the rural women In spite of these efforts lack of education and information even today many rural women work in various fronts are not able to exercise their rights

Schemes for Rural women Awareness Generation Projects for Rural and Poor Women • Condensed Course of Education for Adult Women • CSWB Scheme • Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) • Distance Education for Womens Development and Empowerment n

Family Benefits Scheme • Family Counseling Centre • Maternity Benefits Scheme n NORAD Scheme n Rashtriya Mahila Kosh n Science and Technology for Women n

Schemes for Women n n Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Swa Shakti Project Swayamsidha Scheme Vocational Rehabilitation of Women with Disabilities Vocational Training Programme

Present State n n In spite of the efforts of the Government lack of education and information and the dominance of men is clearly disturbing the rights of the rural women in the country They have a right to fight for wages and other conditions

World rural Women’s Day n n The UN Conference on women in 1995 laid the foundation for this day Recognising the significance that rural women play in the world October 15 is celebrated as Rural Women's Day

Purpose of the Day n n raise the profile of rural women, sensitize both governments and the public to their crucial, yet largely unrecognized roles, and promote action in their support This month is celebrated as the domestic violence prevention month

What needs to be done n n Rural women should have control and financial independence over the fruit of their labour to guarantee continuous supply of high-quality produce that will provide a steady income for the women and their families. A woman farmer must be able to own and run a farm with complete financial independence if she wishes to do so.

What needs to be done n n Improved marketing of their produce and to appropriate transport and sales Infrastructure to provide outlets for their produce at good prices Fair rural development so that Women workers can continue to live and support their families in rural areas (roads, schools, rural services, small businesses, and public services)

What needs to be done n n Sufficient earnings for agricultural produce so that women farmers can remain in business year to year and make the investments necessary to increase production Legal recognition of the status of women farmers and women workers to facilitate their work and protect them as an independent occupation.

What needs to be done n n Ownership of the land so that women farmers can get the best out of it over the long term. Access to water and irrigation systems, including small and medium scale irrigation projects.

What needs to be done n n n Access to loans at affordable rates to provide an environment for every woman worker that encourages production and investment. Initial and in-service training for all women farmers Open up production in harsh environments

Conclusion n In this communication era, it is pity that rural working women who spend their labour are still at the mercy of the men. They need to be given the helping hand the communication technology should reach them in all ways

Conclusion n It is time that the Government of India should declare the Rural Women’s day and undertake activities leading to rural working women in order to give them the due share of respect what they deservce.