FAQsMahila Mandal Barmer Agor [MMBA]
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Situation Jaisalmer is the largest district of Rajasthan but has lagged behind in development processes. The general population comprising of Rajputs accounts for less than 5% of the population. Droughts are predominant and recurrent in the region adversely affecting the local livestock and prospects of farming. Water scarcity is rampant due to irregular rainfall and inadequate irrigation facilities. The recent spate of floods further crippled the local area economy with large scale devastation of life, material and crop loss. With poor yield from agriculture and non-availability of livelihood options, people are compelled to migrate in distress to neighboring districts and states. | Challenge • Availability of drinking water from the ground level resource is also limited due to high fluoride content in the water. • Child rights indicators are dismal for both awareness and achievement. • The scattered settlements and the distance from schools is a major hindrance to continuing education. • Children drop out of school at an early age and get engaged in construction work, tourist services and in hotels. • Gender discrimination is rampant as is evident by high incidence of female infanticide and confinement of girls in household activities. |  Highlights • MMBA has had sustained field presence in the Barmer region for the past sixteen years. The rights based orientation of the organization has been evident in its intervention activities and response to local level development issues. • The organization has also worked extensively in the field of advocacy on the issue of disability and direct intervention through livelihood generation. • Mahila Mandal Barmer Agor [MMBA] aims to uplift the status of marginalized dalits by ensuring their involvement in local development processes with a focus on women & people with disabilities. | Results • 108 new borns out of 115 (45G+70B) and 50 old births were registered. • 60% partial immunization was achieved • 77 older children and 139/156 pregnant women were also immunized. • 480 (251 boys +229 girls) children are registered with existing Anganwadis. • Marvar Viklang Adhikar Manch [MVAM] was formed and its membership base was extended across four districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jalore. • 2 Disability Resource Centre (DRC's) were established in Barmer and Jaisalmer • 166 individuals were aided in securing access to various facilities like bus pass/train pass/disability certificate etc. • 220 children were mainstreamed. • 15 working children were linked to schools through engagement of their families in regular dialogue. • 15 Self Help Groups, with 122 women members, were formed. |
Background:
Mahila Mandal Barmer Agor [MMBA] aims to uplift the status of marginalized dalits by ensuring their involvement in local development processes, with a focus on women & people with disabilities. Since its inception in 1991, MMBA has been instrumental in addressing issues related to women's empowerment for which they received the Women’s Commission Award in 1997. The Project Holder known to all as Adil Bhai holds 12 years of experience in the development sector in the western Rajasthan region of Barmer. The inspiration to work in the sector was derived from witnessing his mother Mrs. Mumtaz Ben, who is now the chairperson of the organization, in action as a social activist working among the disadvantaged community in the region. He has been an active member of the State Alliance Jan Morcha since the past eight years and has served as the Regional Convener for three consecutive years from 2002-2005. Currently, interventions of MMBA are spread over 15 villages in 12 Panchayats of Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan.
Situation:
Jaisalmer is the largest district of Rajasthan but has lagged behind in development processes. In the reference area, OBCs and minorities are found to constitute nearly 60% of the population while STs and SCs account for 23% and 14% of the total population. The general population comprising of Rajputs accounts for less than 5% of the population. Drought is predominant and recurrent in the region, adversely affecting the local livestock and farming. Water scarcity is rampant due to irregular rainfall and inadequate irrigation facilities. The recent spate of floods further crippled the local area economy with large scale devastation of life, material and crop loss. With poor yield from agriculture and non-availability of livelihood options, people are compelled to migrate in distress to neighboring districts and states. Availability of drinking water from the ground level resource is also limited due to high fluoride content in water. Water is supplied every 10-15 days and stored in common usage tanks. Involvement of womenfolk and especially girl children in fetching water over long distances is a common phenomenon in the region. Child rights indicators show a dismal state – of both awareness and achievement. Retention in schools beyond primary level of education is a major problem for both boys and girls. The scattered settlements and the distance from schools is a major hindrance to continuing education. Children drop out of school at an early age and get engaged in construction work, tourist services and in hotels. Gender discrimination is rampant as is evident by high incidence of female infanticide and confinement of girls in household activities. In this backdrop, Mahila Mandal Barmer Agor [MMBA] aims to uplift the status of marginalized dalits by ensuring their involvement in local development processes, with a focus on women & people with disabilities.
Objectives:
• To ensure child rights especially in relation to health, nutrition, education and protection of children.
• To improve the social, political, educational, health and financial conditions of the dalits, women and people with disabilities.
• To create awareness about water conservation and work towards water resource management
• Initiating advocacy with education departments and state government for quality education
• To work against exploitation of women, dalits and people with disabilities.
• To strengthen the Panchayat Raj system for developmental activities.
Review:
MMBA has sustained it’s field presence in the Barmer region for the past sixteen years. The rights based orientation of the organization has been evident in its intervention activities and response to local level development issues. The organization has also worked extensively in the field of advocacy on the issue of disability and direct intervention through livelihood generation.
Achievements & Impact:
• 100% new births and 90% old births were registered.
• All children and 90% pregnant women were covered through immunization program.
• Women’s collectives were strengthened and capacity building was ensured to enable them take a bigger role in local development processes.
• 7 children working in mines and hotels in Kodiasar, Khyala, Digri and Masurdi were freed from child labour and linked with the mainstream formal education.
• Viklang Sammelan (Convention for the Disabled) was held in 4 districts. Disability camp was organized wherein 15 members received benefits in the form of tricycles, mobile kiosk projects and blind sticks.
• Campaigns against child marriages and gender discrimination were strengthened.
As the issue of Disability was being focused in Rajasthan, Mahila Mandal Barmer Agor innovated new models for working with differently abled children (DAC) and adults (DAA), through the rights based approach. MMBA’s proven expertise in intervening on the issue of disability increases its potential in the direction of identifying issues and lobbying for policy advocacy. The organization’s established rapport with the local administration furthers its cause and lends strength to its efforts for advocating for implementation of existing schemes and policies.
Plans:
• Ensuring birth registration, immunization and health care for all children and pregnant women.
• Awareness program for NREGA. Meeting of Village & Panchayat level members for NREGA.
• Ensure increased demand for education (specifically girl child education) among the community. Ensure reduction in number of children deprived of education.
• Awareness building on right to education and health increased among the community and Panchayat.
• Activate / strengthen Government education and health facilities.
• Campaigns against child marriages and gender discrimination.
• Advocacy on issues related to the rights of the disabled through the Marwar Viklang Adhikar Manch (MVAM).
Budget Summary (January to December 2009)
| Budget heads | Budget (USD) |
| Right to Development | 618 |
| Right to Survival | 1,030 |
| Right to Protection | 11,127 |
| Right to Participation | - |
| Administration | 7,830 |
| Total Approved Budget | 20,605 |
