This study assesses the impact of training programmes on community change and empowerment among leaders of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organisations (VOs), and Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs). It also includes interviews with district- and block-level officials from MPSRLM and OLM to examine how line departments collaborate with community institutions to address and resolve complaints.

The Strengthening Women’s Institutions for Agency and Empowerment (SWAYAM) programme is being piloted in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, in partnership with IWWAGE and DAY-NRLM. While DAY-NRLM is the largest government initiative working with rural women in India, the need remains to shift from solely engaging with women to adopting a gender equality and rights-based approach. This shift, through gender mainstreaming, aims to embed gender sensitivity across frameworks, institutions, and processes to achieve sustainable social, economic, and political goals. Under SWAYAM, gender-responsive training has been provided to cadres and institutions, focusing on gender issues, legal rights, and entitlements. A key feature of the programme is the establishment of Gender Justice Centres (GRCs) at the block level, aimed at improving women’s access to rights and services, and addressing grievances related to violence. IWWAGE, an initiative of LEAD at Krea University, conducted a qualitative study on the SWAYAM programme in these pilot states, focusing on its role in addressing Violence Against Women (VAW). The study aimed to understand women’s experiences with accessing services at GRCs and to explore how social norms and gender training impacted the community’s response to violence. The research included interviews with 102 participants across four states, involving SHG women trained and untrained in gender, women who sought support from GRCs, Gender Champions, and men related to SHG members. The study provides insights into the effectiveness of the SWAYAM programme in transforming attitudes towards violence and fostering community intervention in VAW cases.

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a Government of India scheme aimed at reducing poverty by empowering women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organisations (VOs), and Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs). These platforms provide access to rights, financial services, and livelihood opportunities, promoting collective action and leadership among women. To address vulnerability, the Vulnerability Reduction Fund (VRF) was introduced in 2016 as part of DAY-NRLM’s social inclusion strategy. The VRF focuses on reducing risk and supporting vulnerable communities, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, IWWAGE conducted a study in Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura to assess the implementation and impact of the VRF during COVID-19. The research involved interviews with beneficiaries and officials and focused on the allocation, disbursement, and effectiveness of the fund in reaching vulnerable households. The study highlights the VRF’s role in building resilience and aiding marginalised communities.

Launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in 2022, Nayi Chetna – Pahal Badlaav Ki is a national gender campaign under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The campaign aims to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across various life stages of women and girls, promote reporting, and enhance collaboration among stakeholders for safe redress mechanisms. The first edition of the campaign was introduced on November 25, 2022, with the theme of equity and ending GBV. Building on its inaugural success, the second edition was launched on November 25, 2023. This phase focused on deepening awareness of the different forms of violence and strengthening access to safe redress mechanisms through convergence with stakeholders, including State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), DAY-NRLM community institutions, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), and 14 Line Ministries. IWWAGE, in collaboration with LEAD at Krea University, conducted a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative assessment of the Nayi Chetna 2.0 campaign. The study aimed to evaluate the campaign’s reach, relevance, and effectiveness, particularly in raising awareness of GBV, enhancing reporting mechanisms, and improving institutional support. The assessment employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative interviews and focus group discussions across ten states, alongside quantitative data collection through an online platform. Key findings revealed the strength of women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as central to the campaign’s impact. However, engaging men and adolescents in future iterations is crucial for broader societal change. Additionally, active involvement of PRI functionaries in grassroots dialogues on gender discrimination emerged as a successful strategy. The assessment also highlighted the importance of fostering cross-departmental convergence to improve GBV reporting, and recommended further budget allocations, access to localised training materials, and greater use of media platforms to amplify the campaign’s reach and engagement.