Mahila Mandal’s Activities:
Mahila Mandals under the aegis of NAVCHETNA Trust (the umbrella body) carry out a set of definite tasks for the benefit of the slum dwellers. The main set of tasks is educational.
1. Education classes:
1.1) Balwadis (kindergartens),
1.2) Tutoring,
1.3) Computer Classes,
3. Tailoring classes.
4. Other Activities:
5.1) Promote economic self-help group which than may become part of Bhagya Laxmi saving and Credit Cooperative Ltd.
5.2) One Mahila Mandal has created an important association of the Rag Pickers women of its area and has started a Scrap Shop for them (see No. 3 for details).
5.3) Monitor and support women to effectively access and avail various rightful entitlements such as PDS, health services, water, gutter system, electricity, etc.
5.4) Identification of local issues affecting wider slums and initiate an advocacy campaign.
Self-reliance of Mahila Mandals: Two things are required to make an organization viable and sustainable. One is to be financially self-sufficient and the other is to ensure the continued leadership with honesty and competence to manage its affairs. Without stable sources of income an organization cannot be self-reliant. There is effort towards making these mahila mandals self-reliant. Infact some of them are self-reliant. The umbrella body of NAVCHETNA and NAVSARJAN organisation facilitate and support the process towards greater self-reliance.
They have to generate revenue to carry out the various development and educational activities they carry out and provide remuneration to teachers and trainers they have for activities. They need infrastructure facilities and financial resources to maintain these facilities. They have following sources to mobilise revenue for their work.
a) Students Fees
b) FD’s Interest and
c) Rent received: Huts in Slums & SMC tenements. Community hall rent, Vessel rent, etc.
d) Donation in cash and kind.
NAVCHETNA helps the local mahila mandals in number of ways respectful of its autonomy. It also monitors the performance of the mahila manadals and their activities. Fostering and maintaining integrity, transparency and accountability at all level is their performance is important and NAVCHETNA helps the local mandalas in this process.