Participatory Strategies in Income Generation Programmes for Poor Women in India

This dissertation, "Participatory Strategies in Income Generation Programmes for Poor Women in India" by Meenakshi Sanjeev, Bhatt, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of thesis entitled "Participatory Strategies in Income Generation Programmes for Poor Women in India" Submitted by Meenakshi Sanjeev Bhatt For the degree of Master of Philosophy at The University of Hong Kong in December 2003 In this study I critically analyse the participatory strategies, systems and practices adopted in income generation programmes for poor women in western India. I also analyse the gender-informed nature of such interventions to promote participation. Finally I examine the extent to which women's participation in income generation programmes empowers them in both the private and public spheres. While the recent literature on participation is dominated by the methodological approaches to participation such as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) within the project framework, I study home-grown and experiential approaches to promoting grassroots participation in economic programmes. This thesis is based on a study of three craft-based income generation programmes in western India and has adopted the case study methodology. The three case studies were developed using primary data collected through individual and group interviews, observation and documents. The thesis puts forward a number of key arguments. The strategy of nurturing village-level leaders from among the women artisans has succeeded in increasing their participation in the income generation programme and in establishing a cadre of grassroots leaders for sustainable participation. Village-level leaders represent the artisans and uphold their interests against rival agendas of those powerful within the village, the programme personnel, and the supporting non-governmental development organisation (NGDO). However, they may also emerge as the new locus of power and control within the organisation and the village. The formation of spearhead or management teams with a majority of women artisans has not only increased their managerial control over economic activity, but has strengthened their bargaining position vis-a-vis the organisation and programme personnel. However, organisational commitment to participation needs to permeate organisational ethos, culture, and attitude and beliefs of the programme personnel for participatory strategies and systems to be effective. The thesis demonstrates that despite criticism of planned participation, institutionalisation of participation in the everyday operations of the income generation programme and within the NGDO both motivates and necessitates their participation. Apart from institutionalisation of participation the organisational thrust on increasing women's mobility has contributed significantly towards increasing the role of artisans in the income generation programme and their confidence in themselves, and consequently on other dimensions of empowerment. Their status within the household has improved due to their significant contribution to household income, better perception of the self due to confidence in their own ability to contribute towards critical household expenses, and increased mobility that also gives them the freedom to make purchases for the household. However, although income generation programmes allow women to participate in economic activities, they do not address the inequitable distribution of responsibilities for household chores among male and female membe