Dr. Charu WaliKhanna Member NCW, was Chief Guest at “National Workshop on Land Rights of Women”. The two day programme held on 23rd & 24th September, 2012 at Lucknow was organized in association with National Commission for Women by Sakhi Kendra, a NGO working in the field of human rights for women since 1982.

23.09.2012

Inaugurating the consultation on 23.09.2012 Dr. Charu WaliKhanna said that Land is an important resource in India, especially for women because they depend on it for their livelihoods. She expressed regret that despite women providing most of the agricultural labour, yet they own only a fraction of the land. Unequal access to land is one of the most important causes of economic inequality impacting on women. She said that Women’s right to land is a critical factor in social status, economic well-being and empowerment. Land is also a social asset, crucial for identity, political power and participation in the local decision – making process. Women’s right to own, inherit, manage and dispose of property are under constant attack from customs, laws and individuals who believe that women cannot be trusted with or do not deserve property.

Welcome address has been given by Dr.Asha Tripathi, President of Sakhi Kendra and General Secretary of Sakhi Kendra, Mrs.Neelam Chaturvedi focussed on the Theme of the Workshop or programme.

• The Guest Speaker Dr.Ruth Manorma, President, NAWO spokes on “Challenges and Strategies regarding Dalit Mahila Movement”.
• Ms.Jarjum Ete, former Chairperson, Arunachal State Commission for Women and presently the Secretary of NAWO shared her views on “Challenges and Strategies to deal with Women Land Rights”.
• Ms. Vasavi Kiro, Chairperson of Jharkhand State Commission for Women gave her views on Land Rights of Dalit and Tribal women and State women Policy of Jharkhand.
• Ms.Neelam Prabhat, Mahila Manch, UP focused on “Women & Land Rights’ at Grass Root level including challenges and strategies”.
• Ms.Sheba Rahim Sail, State Representative of Chhattisgarh given her views of Women Movement- Challenges and Strategies, formulation and effective implementation of State Women Policy of Chhattisgarh.
• Power point presentation was made by Ms.Upasana from Madhya Pradesh.

Group Discussion among 6 groups included –i) formulation and effective implementation of State Women Policy – Strategies, programes and planning as well as organising a monitoring committee at State and National Level; ii) Challenges and forthcoming plan of social organizations regarding proper implementation of the Act regarding Land Rights of Women (parental property and for livelihood); and iii) Challenges and forthcoming plans of social organizations regarding proper implementation of the Act regarding Dalit Women Rights.
24.09.2012
On 24th September, the National workshop continued at Rajarshi Purshottam Das Tondon Paryatan Bhawan, Lucknow. After the organizational song and welcome speech given by President of Sakhi Kendra the following participants shared their views

• Ms.Sunila Singh, Main Speaker Reviewed the outcomes that emerged on 23.09.2012.
• Ms.Bindu Singh from Gramya Sansthan Varanasi discussed the challenges and forthcoming plans of land rights of dalit and tribal women.
• Ms. Kusum Ghidiyal, Uttaranchal given her views of Effective Strategies for availing land rights by women.

Testimonies were given by Village women Shubhawati, Gorakhpur; Blwaani, Varanasi; Manna Devi and Shanti Devi, Sant Kabir Nagar; who fought against injustice not only for themselves but also those similarly placed and emerged victorious. They were felicitated by Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member, NCW.

More Than 300 Women From Grass Root Level Participated.