THE excitement and fervour surrounding the general election in India has been palpable, with heated discussions and loud campaigns dominating the electoral landscape. However, the post-election scenario often sees promises fade into oblivion, leaving people to navigate their daily lives largely on their own. This reality is particularly stark for rural women, whose fundamental rights often extend no further than the act of casting their votes — a choice often dictated by family patriarchs.
Over my decades-long engagement with rural communities, primarily rural women, in northern and western India, I have witnessed first-hand the limitations faced by women in accessing essential social and economic rights. Despite the right to vote, their lives are marked by exclusion and marginalization. It falls upon civil society organizations to bridge this gap, shouldering the responsibility of ensuring social and economic empowerment. These organizations range from local mahila mandals, fostering community cohesion and addressing social issues, to advocacy groups opposing detrimental practices like the proliferation of liquor shops, and self-help groups striving for socio-economic development. At the national and global levels, organizations work towards social and economic justice through diverse strategic actions, mostly advocacy through campaigns and the media.