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AN ACTION RESEARCH STUDY
ON
‘CREATING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR RURAL WOMEN’
AT
TIRUPASSUR PANCHAYAT, THIRUVALLUR DISTRICT,
TAMILNADU
A MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECT (F. NO. 5-40/2010 (HRP) 2011-2013)
SUPPORTED BY UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION, NEW DELHI
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
STELLA MARIS COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)
CHENNAI
Executive Summary
Introduction
Several strategies to bring women into the Development agenda have evolved
over the past few decades. The promotion of women’s empowerment as a major
development goal has come to stay, making it a priority in the agenda. The rise of
gender sensibility is a distinctive feature of our times. For all practical purposes, the
concern for gender equity has graduated to the level of a policy objective. India is one
of the major countries involved in the debate around issues of development, more so
the development of women. Social Work as a Profession in India has also to a large
extent been following these trends and adapting its education and practice models
accordingly.
Mainstreaming women in the development process will inevitably involve a
significant change in attitude, change in work practices and challenging of vested
interests. Flexibility to women’s needs and deciding best ways of combining
empowerment and sustainability objectives can only be done on the basis of extensive
consultation with the women themselves, research on women’s felt needs, evolving
strategies, examining constraints and a process of negotiation between women and
development agencies.
The effectiveness of creating livelihoods for women is conditioned
significantly in the local context, influenced by the existing social and cultural milieu
as also the available livelihood opportunities. Although there are strong indications
that access to a powerful resource like credit has begun to alter the economic
opportunities available to poor women, institutions that target women need to also
understand the regional and local contexts and adapt their approach/strategies.
Empowerment of women forms part of the national goals towards the
development of India as a nation. Women’s development and empowerment has been
one of the primary objectives of almost all the Five Year Plans in the country.
Beginning with the Sixth Plan, focused efforts were directed towards creating an
enabling environment where women can freely exercise their rights both within and
outside home and emerge as equal partners along with men.
Several ideas and trends about women’s empowerment have led to a range of
interventions. However, in India the profession of Social work lags far behind in its
social recognition and legal support. This in turn has led to an alarming gap in Social
Work literature and of practice, more so in the field of working with women. It is a
well-known fact that development efforts towards empowerment of women are
several but the emphasis on professional Social Work interventions are far and few.
Such professional practices in areas of development particularly those in women’s
development have not been sufficiently researched or documented.
This study seeks to build on and extend current knowledge that would
contribute towards better theoretical understandings of interventions through practice.
It is here that Development will find appropriate linkages and relevance in the
Profession and vice versa.
Rationale
Historically, University education has been understood to be purely as centres
of learning but subsequently they evolved into institutions that were attentive to the
emerging social needs of any given society that it was surrounded with. Development
of such socially committed institutions led to a realization that education is meant to
be a mechanism for social transformation and economic advancement. Traditional
education that was mostly theoretical is now giving way to a more practical
exploration into how it can meet the current needs of society and improve quality of
human life.
The UNESCO document of 1995 talks about the concept of a ‘proactive
university’; in which it emphasizes that a university is a place where the most relevant
local, regional, national and international problems and solutions are identified,
analyzed and discussed within an environment of critical learning, and second, that it
is a community whose members, commit themselves fully to the principles of
academic freedom, devote themselves to the search for truth, to the defense and
promotion of human rights, to democracy, social justice and tolerance within their
own community and all over the world (UNESCO,1995).
Meaningful higher education ought to subscribe to the task of bringing
students to the awareness of social realities. In response to this, Stella Maris College
(Autonomous), an institution of higher learning for women, committed to the
education of young women, has consistently taken up projects/programmes that meet
the needs of the socio-economically backward communities. As a learning institution,
Stella Maris College, has initiated several action research projects for the
empowerment of the lesser privileged, particularly women.
This action research study on ‘Creating Sustainable Livelihoods for Rural
Women’ at Tirupassur Panchayat, Thiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu, a Major
Research Project of the Department of Social Work, Stella Maris College
(Autonomous), supported by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi is a clear
indication of the enormous need to work towards accomplishing the national goal of
women’s empowerment.
Statement of the Problem
Due to poor living conditions in Tirupassur Panchayat, the women struggle to
meet their daily needs for survival. The women of Tirupassur Panchayat are totally
dependent on daily wages which is irregular and insufficient. Most of their spouses
are addicted to alcohol which increases their burden to earn for the household. Due to
lack of other opportunities and skills, these women struggle to survive, thereby getting
into early marriage, poor health, poor child rearing skills, lack of education for their
children and ultimately become victims of domestic violence that lead to a life,
deprived of dignity.
The presumed ability of this intervention (creating sustainable livelihoods) to
link up with the paradigm of women’s empowerment constituted the main concern in
this study. Hence, examining how the creation of livelihoods can empower women
was an important aspect of this study. Would they in turn address women’s social and
personal needs? Can women challenge the domineering dimensions of the household
and community-level gender relations? Will women’s views about gender change
after the planned interventions? Will their perceptions about themselves change (selfconfidence, self-worth, potential etc.)? How can women support each other and learn
from each other’s actions? What are the probable hindering and facilitating factors?
The study further identified what further actions women can take, individually or
collectively to challenge constraints towards their development? With the above
research questions the following objectives were framed.
Objectives
The objectives of the project were to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
assess the socio-economic profile of the rural women in the specified locality
identify livelihood needs of the rural women
understand availability and utilization of resources and services for the women
impart sustainable livelihood skills training, enhance leadership skills among
women to set up entrepreneurial initiatives/units,
5. network with institutions/ organizations for promoting marketing abilities of
women create awareness on rights with special reference to employment,
health, education, and other legal aspects.
Theoretical frame of reference
The theoretical frame of reference was based on the General Systems theory of
Pincus and Minahan in 1973 and the Empowerment theory of DuBios and Miley in
1998. Besides these the principles of Community Organisation and Development
were consciously utilized in the community processes. The prominence given to the
empowerment approach in development during the 21st Century, the emphasis on
women’s empowerment and the relevance of an appropriate empowerment model in
Social Work practice is a major contribution of Social Work to the development field.
The two theories were applied in the present action research project and appropriate
models for practice were developed.
Geographical location of the study
The study was conducted in the Tirupassur Panchayat, Tiruvallur district, Tamil
Nadu, which is located about 150kms away from Chennai city. The villages of Old
Tirupassur, New Tirupassur, Kotai Colony, Peria Colony, Kosavanpalayam and
Vasantham Nagar were the six villages selected for the purpose of the study. The
villages are inhabited primarily by marginalized communities.
Research Methodology
The research methodology adopted for this action research study can be justified
through the writings of a few noted Social Work practitioners. The quest for antioppressive Social Work practice has now become the central theme in current Social
Work literature. Prominent writers like Dominelli, Durham, Ferguson, Hooper,
Thompson (2002 – 2005) are some who have written extensively in the area of antioppressive practice. However anti- oppressive practices embedded in research have
received limited attention. (Butler and Pugh, 2004).
Therefore, if Social Work research does not take into account its potential to
identify areas of Human Rights violations and research in areas of emancipatory and
transformative ideals - the profession may be in danger Denzin (2002). Today a trend
that supports a more evidence-based practice research in Social Work seems evident
(Lawler and Bilson, 2004, and Jenson 2005). Social Work research is firmly anchored
in Participatory, action-oriented and emancipatory approaches. (Humphries and
Truman, 1994).
The methodologies that subscribe to this philosophy has been adopted for this
study and is mentioned as follows:
Research Design
Understanding empowerment of women is multidimensional and therefore is
complex. The research was qualitative and participatory in nature. Being an action
research study, it presents the intervention into organized data explaining the specified
phenomena that existed in the activities of the study towards the achievement of its
goal for creating sustainable livelihoods for rural women.
The present research study has incorporated qualitative analyses. Case
narratives were a way to understand how women live, think and manage their lives on
a daily basis. Group discussions and focus group interviews were powerful sources in
eliciting information on the experiences of the women. The main emphasis of the
study was on creating sustainable livelihoods for rural women. However, this was to
be achieved by moving at the pace of the women’s convictions about change, deriving
an understanding of how they perceive and construct their lives as meaningful
processes and how they interact with one another.
Key Stakeholders
The key stakeholders of this action research study were rural women residing
in the six selected areas. They comprised of representatives of local women’s groups,
women leaders in the community, Panchayat members, health workers and other
family members of the women. All the women registered in the SHGs were identified
as the main participants who were also identified as the key informants for the study.
These villages are at a distance of approximately 5-10 kms away from the base centre
at Tirupassur. Stella Maris College (the major intervening agency), the concerned
Government departments, the local community based organizations were also major
players of the research study.
Tools for data collection
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Needs Analysis using participatory methodologies
Secondary data
In depth/Themed Interviews/Case Narratives
Observation/ participant observation
Focus Group Discussions
Field observation
Access Strategies used
a. Networking with NGOs on the field
b. Consultations with Academicians/ Professionals
c. Training and Development
Ethics and professional behaviour
Some of the ethical and professional behaviour demonstrated during the research
process were informed consent, confidentiality, non-judgmental attitude, safety and
health of researchers.
Needs Analysis
Internal and external resources at Tirupassur Panchayat were examined and
understood. The interaction between people and their environment was studied in depth.
The areas of concern that emerged indicated a need for creating opportunities for
sustainable livelihoods for women and to work on the community dynamics that exist
between women and their employable worth. Intervention, which was the crux of the
research project, was planned, to augment women’s skills, develop their decision making
abilities, increase their legal awareness, enhance their earning capacity and create access
to community facilities and other infrastructure.
Areas of interest for sustainable employment included need for special skills in the
preparation of herbal medicine, paper bag making, tailoring and embroidery, sanitary
napkin making, need for awareness on the importance of education, family life education
and health, need for creating awareness on legal rights and the need to lobby with the
Government for improving infrastructural facilities. The principles of working hand in
hand with stakeholders to promote and sustain community development using
participatory approaches where women are a part of their development at every step from
engagement to termination was an essential component of the project.
In a nutshell, three broad areas of empowerment identified were – personal,
economic and social empowerment. The team worked on various modules based on the
felt needs of the women and mobilized several Government/ Non-government resources
to meet these needs.
Achievements of the action research study
Through the Major Research Project, the Department of Social Work has been
able to establish concrete networks and tangible interventions for the women. The
department has also been able to establish direct intervention with the women through its
concurrent field work curriculum (two days in a week for one semester) of the students
specializing in Community Development. Also as part of the curriculum, two BSW rural
camps (one week duration) were organized to foster among the students the need for
integral and reciprocal learning. Students were exposed to the realities of rural life and in
turn the women were able to gain several skills that were mobilized through the faculty
and students of the Social Work Department.
Some of the major achievements of the project are summarized as below:
A. At the community level:


This Major Research Project sought to bring about a transformation in the lives of
women by creating an enabling environment for the women.
Interventions on three aspects of empowerment were simultaneously carried out
so as to achieve the goal of women’s development. The feeling of ‘we can” has
spread among the women which will hopefully foster collective action for social
justice, policy and development in the area.
The livelihood needs of women were identified and availability of resources and
services in the location were carried out.
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Skills training were imparted for the women. Through the government agencies
Network of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises of Tamil Nadu, women were
motivated in self employment opportunities and marketing abilities.
Training programme on Self Help Groups using the Mahilir Thittam Manual of
the Tamilnadu Women Development Corporation, Chennai was carried out.
Through KVIC training on sanitary napkin making and marketing linkages with
the Primary Health Centre, Balwadi and local schools was organized.
Financial independence for women was created through various livelihood
training programmes and linkages with Government and Non-Governmental
bodies.
A Certificate course on artificial jewelery making and tailoring was provided for
the rural women for duration of six months. The women were encouraged to set
up small tailoring units within the village.
Women were linked with the Gandhi Foundation for garment making training
with employment for the support of PudhuVazhvu (Tamil Nadu State Government
poverty alleviation programme for the empowerment of women in SHGs).
Life skills training on self-confidence, communication, assertiveness, leadership
to enable women confidently set up entrepreneurial initiatives/units were
organized. Local mechanisms for networking of women’s groups and
organizations were established. Specifically rapport building with Government
and NGOs in order to link resources with the women was established.
Women have gained greater awareness on how to avail government services. Both
women and men were given awareness about the self employment opportunities
through the support of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises a Central
government initiative for entrepreneurship development. Self confidence and a
sense of oneness among the women was an outcome of this intervention.
After several negotiations with concerned authorities such as members of the local
governing body, Village Administrative Officer, Sarva Shika Abayan officials,
District Education Officer, Self Help Groups and local schools women now have
access to utilize common resources such as self help group’s building, school
premises, primary health centre, community hall for conducting awareness
programmes, women welfare programmes and other government schemes.
Increased awareness through programmes on women’s rights with special
reference to employment, health, education, and other legal aspects using various
intervention strategies like exhibitions in schools, street play by students of the
department and inputs through resource persons from the concerned fields was
given.
Women participated in workshops on laws pertaining to marriage, divorce,
domestic violence. A Training Manual on Women and Law was brought out as a
result of this workshop which was replicated in the areas subsequently.
B. At the Department level:
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
It provided an exceptional academic experience of going beyond classroom
learning through the application of theoretical understanding and exploration of
methodological aspects in the discipline of Social Work Education and Practice.
It further provided an opportunity to reiterate the significance of university –
community partnerships.
• It was an opportunity for students specializing in Community Development and
faculty members to participate in the various initiatives for the community,
particularly for rural women. It allowed for a rich learning experience wherein
students were allowed to share knowledge and skills, discuss, debate and reflect
on learning experiences.
• This research project created an opportunity for an interdisciplinary approach
wherein students from the NSS and various departments of the college were able
to collaborate with the project. Utilizing their knowledge creatively, students
make contributions from their own areas of knowledge. This enabling
environment links the college and the community, thereby bringing about social
transformation.
• The project led to an exploration of future careers with a social responsibility for
students in their respective disciplines.
Conclusion
It is important to note that there were several hurdles to cross in the achievements
of this research study. Existing caste dynamics, political affiliations and patriarchal forces
in operation were no easy hurdles to cross. Nevertheless, this project has taken a great
stride in the empowerment of rural women at Tirupassur. This study therefore will serve
as a model for academicians and practitioners who intend to better the lives of women.
The Department of Social Work will continue to work towards a more just and humane
future in enhancing quality of life, especially in the empowerment of rural women.
Dr Sandra Joseph, Associate Prof and Head, Principal Investigator, Major Research
Project (2011-2013), Dept of Social Work, Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Chennai
600 086.