Why my village does have a stop dam? This appears a simple question but assumes greater significance when it is straightforwardly directed to a District collector by a tribal woman Sarpancha.

Smt. Lilabai of Padunia village in Dhar district sought to know form the district collector why her village had no stop dam. Smt. Lilabai was participating in a review meeting of Madhya Pradesh Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme at Badnawar in Dhar. She spoke on development issues of her village continuously for 10 minutes. She informed that Padunia and Bharkhteli villages are divided by a river. Others have no problem but women have difficulty in crossing the river. District collector praised Lilabai for raising the issue and on her request asked the concerning authorities to transfer Rs. two lakh in the account of Gram Panchayat.

Lilabai is a farm labourer. Many in her village are jealous of her position. She says "when I have been entrusted a responsibility why should not I honestly execute my responsibility of village development." The boldness in her diction is the result of a leadership development and training programme launched for tribal women Panchas and Sarpanchas by the Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (MPRLP) in eight predominantly tribal districts. Tribal women Panchas and Sarpanchas are now realizing their role and responsibilities. They are learning the art of leading the community and also learning administrative skills.

Encouraged by the boldness of Lilabai, other Panchas and Sarpanchas have also started speaking out. Smt. Shayar Bai and Ratan Bai of Kanwasa village in Badnawar cluster of the MPRLP has resolved to transform their village into Nirmal Gram. They convene meeting of women every Friday and attend every Gram Sabha meeting.

It was not all that easy. Lilabai said that earlier "I had hesitation to speak out my mind. Now I can spell out things without hesitation and do not care what others will think of. Since I speak about well-being of the village others appreciate my views she says. Some women from Tirla cluster informed that they had visited Indore for the first time. Some women who are Panchas in their respective villages in Umarban cluster have learnt identifying letters and have expressed their desire to learn more." Livelihoods Promoter Basanti Bai and Lilabai in Hasanpur Kalapani village have motivated 30 illiterate women to learn reading and writing. These women sit together between 7 to 8 pm for study and an educated woman of the same village Rekha Bai has been given responsibility of teaching them. Up Sarpanch of Surani village Smt. Kamlabai, Panch Lankabai and Livelihood Promoter Shantabai have also come forward to take similar initiative in their respective villages.

Sarpanch Smt. Parvati Bai in Tirla cluster of the district says she goes to Bank and motivates women to participate in Gram Sabha meetings. Livelihood Promoter of Badkala Nanbai and of Pithyapura village Smt. Kotabai even attend Gram Sabhas of both villages crossing the geographical boundaries. Kotabai wishes to have mobile set for all women. Panch of Semlipura village Smt. Maithalibai and Meerabai informed that they are now raising much neglected gender-related issues in their village. They said that "Gram Sabha can not take decision without seeking our opinion now. If our views are ignored, we can demand for another meeting on any issue." " We take care of our family, maintain home and even do allied farm activities. When we do a lot, then we can do a lot for our village, says Basanti Bai of Hasanpur Kalapani.

Impact

Impact of leadership development training is distinctly visible. Women Panchas from Umarban cluster have learnt to write their names and aspire to pursue learning. Basanti Bai of Hasanpur Kalapani and Panch Lilabai have persuaded 30 women to learn reading and writing. These women assemble in the evening. Rekha Bai who is literate has been assigned the task of teaching others. Deputy Sarpanch of Surani village Smt. Kamlabai, Panch Lankabai and Livelihoods Promoter Smt. Shantabai have also made initial preparations for their village.

Sarpancha Smt. Parvati Bai from Tirla cluster monitored the construction of check. dam. She goes to bank and signs cheques. She goes door to door and assembles women and take them to meeting site of Gram Sabha. Even on other development issues, she gathers opinion of women to facilitate decisions on the issues. Livelihood Promoter of Badkala Smt Nanbai and of Pithyapura Smt. Kotabai have presented an example of cooperation and coordination worth emulating for others. They visit villages of one another and participate in the meetings of Gram Sabha. Kotabai wants a mobile set to talk to other women on different issues. Panch of Semlipur Smt. Mathlibai and Meerabai have great appreciation for the training. They are happy that views are seriously heard. They say "the Gram Sabha cannot take any decision without seeking our opinion. Basanti Bai confidently says that "we are not so weak. We manage our home well from the dawn to dusk and work hard. When we can do this, why can not we do so for our village."