The South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) is a network of women journalists based in each country of the region — that is, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. WE STAND FOR freedom of speech and expression, the fair and equal representation of women in the media, as well as equal opportunity for women in the media. Our aim is two-fold: We want to deepen our network inside our countries so as expose each other to the wide variety of stories around us as well as promote best practices in journalism; We also want to create a digital platform that will showcase our work as well as our interests and ideas across all the countries of South Asia. We believe that the right to speak freely goes hand-in-hand with the responsibility to dissent, and yet across our region, censorship and crackdowns and plain fear are being used by powerful governments to prevent the story from coming out. In these circumstances, a network of journalists — of women journalists — who demonstrate the power of cross-border networking in standing up to these values of a free and responsible media, is increasingly important.

Among these efforts to promote both national and cross-border journalism — which includes the provision of grants to women journalists to pursue their stories and arrange field visit — is a highly valued collaboration with UNICEF, which was launched in 2017. The theme of the inaugural SAWM India-UNICEF India Media Initiative was “Voices of Adolescents.” Eleven women journalists from English and regional media across the country wrote and reported untold stories of adolescent girls and boys and presented them to over 25 million readers and viewers in their respective publications.

For the second edition in 2018, SAWM India collaborated with UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Initiative (WASH), on the theme “Gender and Sanitation.” This year, our funders supported 14 journalists. SAWM India makes it a point to make the selection of these journalists diverse and inclusive. Which means that journalists from big media organisations like Times of India, Indian Express, The Hindu, Prabhat Khabar, PTI, Mirror Now, along with journalists from smaller regional language newspapers and TV, as well as independent journalists participated in this exercise.

The program enabled the reporters to travel to other states to report their stories, an opportunity often not offered by media organisations. They visited villages and towns where sanitation projects were making an impact on the lives of young girls and women. The participants were also encouraged to travel on their own.

Providing resource and other support for quality journalism is important to SAWM. As in the first year, this year too we held a pre-departure briefing. It was attended by experts in sanitation, from UNICEF as well as those seconded to the government, as well as veteran journalists who have written on gender and sanitation issues. A report on the pre-departure briefing features in this report.

The program greatly values social media posts from the field, sent by participant journalists. These capture the interface of women journalists with women in villages or slums and the impressions they make on each other. In a sense, these are “stories behind the stories,” and need to be recorded as such.

“When a Women Reports a Story She does in a Different way”. Were enough provisions are given to the Female Journalist on Ground, its a question with No answer. Every Women Journalist travels across to file a story but the basic amenity Toilet is not Provided to her in many times. Many women Journalist On Ground says she suffers from UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) it’s not the case in Chennai. Even in NCR the situation prevails. Journalist reports about the stories of Lack of Toilets, No maintenance of Toilets but she asks “where is My Toilet?”

பெண் செய்தியாளர்களுக்கு அடிப்படை தேவையான கழிப்பறைகள் களத்தில் உள்ளதா?

source : News 7 Tamil

Everytime Children are considered as the Marginalised community, the reason behind this is, they don’t have any political importance. Here the school of West Bengal sets a trend for forming a Children Cabinet. The Cabinet comprises of 5 members, the Prime Minister, Food Minister, Health minister, Education Minister and Sports Minister. These little ones have a meeting every week discuss about the problems and finds Solutions. This Helps the Children to Motivate themselves and emerge them with political and Social Understanding.

குழந்தை நேய சமூகமாக இந்தியா மாற வேண்டும் : அதற்கான எடுத்துக்காட்டாக திகழும் ஒரு பள்ளிக்கூடம்

সোমা ঘোষ: পুরুলিয়ার লালমণি সোরেন, শিখারানি এখন স্বনির্ভর। রাজমিস্ত্রির কাজ করে সংসার প্রতিপালনের অন্যতম কাণ্ডারী তাঁরা। একটি স্বনির্ভর গোষ্ঠীর হয়ে তাঁরা শৌচাগার নির্মাণ করেন।

প্রথমের এই বাক্যগুলো যত সহজে পড়ে ফেলা গেল, তাঁদের শুরুটা কিন্তু ততটা সহজে হয়নি। যখন রামকৃষ্ণ মিশনে তাঁরা এই রাজমিস্ত্রির কাজ শিখতে গিয়েছিলেন, তখন পাড়া-প্রতিবেশীদের কাছ থেকে শুনতে হয়েছিল টিটকিরি – ‘তোমরা মেয়েমানুষ, তোমরা কী পারবে?’ নিজেদের কাজের মধ্যে দিয়েই তাঁরা জবাবটা দিয়ে দিয়েছেন। তাঁদের তৈরি শৌচাগারই বলে দেয় তাঁরা পুরুষদের চেয়ে কোনো অংশে কম নয়। বরং আরও ভালো, আরও সুন্দর।

সারা পুরুলিয়া জুড়েই সাফল্যের সঙ্গে কাজ করে চলেছেন স্বনির্ভর গোষ্ঠীর মহিলারা। কম খরচে স্যানিটারি ন্যাপকিন বানানো থেকে মাঠে-ঘাটে শৌচকর্ম করা থেকে বিরত থাকার প্রচার, সবেতেই অগ্রণী ভূমিকা নিয়েছেন তাঁরা। দেখুন সেই ভিডিও।

Source: khaboronline

Menstruation is still a subject of gender disparity in India. Myths about menstruation are largely prevalent, forcing many girls to drop out of school early or be ‘ostracised’ during the five days every month. Even if they use sanitary napkins, their mobility is hampered due to absence of water and unclean bathrooms in schools. According to National Family Health Survey-4 in 2015, around 54 percent of adolescent girls were unaware of menstruation before they had their first period. And only 57.6 percent of women were using hygienic methods for menstrual protection. Trying to change practices and get rid of social stigmas is Kanyashree Prakalpa, a flagship project of the West Bengal Government, backed by Kanyashree Clubs

source: Grassroots

Menstruation is still a subject of gender disparity in India. Myths about menstruation are largely prevalent, forcing many girls to drop out of school early or be ‘ostracised’ during the five days every month. Even if they use sanitary napkins, their mobility is hampered due to absence of water and unclean bathrooms in schools. According to National Family Health Survey-4 in 2015, around 54 percent of adolescent girls were unaware of menstruation before they had their first period. And only 57.6 percent of women were using hygienic methods for menstrual protection. Trying to change practices and get rid of social stigmas is Kanyashree Prakalpa, a flagship project of the West Bengal Government, backed by Kanyashree Clubs

source: Grassroots

Jharkhand’s trained women masons have built over 15 lakh toilets in one year

In construction sites, women are mostly involved only as workers, but a Women Self Help Groups(SHGs) in Purulia district of West Bengal is breaking the stereotype and making women to build Toilets.

The story features the construction site of Toilet in Purulia. The owner of the place tells she is not ready to build a toilet in her home but after her Daughter compulsion and subsidised toilet scheme made her build the toilet she adds.

Women Masons Lalmoni Soran, says initially her husband was not supportive but that did not deter her from taking up this job. She managed to convince her husband and now he works along with her in the construction of Toilets.
A toilet per home increase the personal hygiene as well as the safety of the Children. It is important to attain the sustainable Developments in near Future.

The Group of women SHGs sensitizes the Villagers by doing awareness camp. Mrs. Mahato says that she being a protagonist witnessed the illness of not having Toilets at her home. After building a toilet at her place she now sensitizes people to construct toilets.

These Rani mestris not only construct toilet alone they ensure the safety and well being of the women in the society.

கழிப்பறை கட்டுவது தொடர்பாக புதுமையை கையாளும் மேற்கு வங்க மாநிலம் | செய்தித் தொகுப்பு

School begins early for Pompy Biswas, Nitraban Hazarika and Krittika Das as they don the hats of ‘swachh sevaks’ to check whether the water tank has been filled, hand washing area cleaned and soaps put in place.

The three students of Azara Keotpara Lower Primary School, along with their fellow mates, have set an example in Kamrup (Metro) district, near here, by taking upon themselves the responsibility of maintaining hygiene and keeping the environment clean, not just around classrooms but homes too.

At Sajjanpara Lower Primary School, nearby, children keep a check on their parents and relatives too. They take time out to impart lessons on cleanliness to their neighbours and other members of the community.

The Assam chapter of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, along with UNICEF, has piloted the cleanliness drive to ensure less absenteeism in schools, said Rajib Dutta, the project’s engineer for Kamrup (Metro) district.

“It is the schoolchildren who have become role models for the community at large by moving beyond the confines of the campus to take their cleanliness initiatives to their family and the extended community,” he said.

A UNICEF report had pointed out that there was consistent evidence that hand washing with soap at critical times – before eating, while preparing food and after using the toilet – can reduce diarrhoea risk by about 45 per cent, Dutta added.

Likumoni Das, a Class III student of Azatpara school, said they were keen on passing the knowledge they have acquired to their parents and relatives.

“After learning the basic rules of hand washing, we found out that our parents did not follow the methods. We have now taught them how to maintain hygiene,” she said.

The headmaster of her school, Kamal Chandra Goswami, said he has built separate toilets and hand-washing facilities for boys and girls.

“I am happy to see that students have become torch-bearers of the cleanliness drive here,” he stated.

The parents, too, have joined the initiative by donating soap cakes to the school.

“We are learning something new every day from our children. These hygiene practices have become a part of our daily routine,” Amila Das, a mother and member of School Management Committee, said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Subhan Chandra Bodo, the headmaster of Sajjanpara LP School, said it was the children who convinced their parents to install water filters at home.

“As part of the government and the UNICEF initiative, children have not just learnt about keeping themselves clean, they have also inspired parents and relative to build toilets and install water filters at home,” he added.

Sweta Patnaik, the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) specialist of UNICEF, said philanthropists, corporate houses, civic and faith organizations in Assam have been requested to join the drive to extend its reach to every nook and corner of the state.

“We have taken initiatives to mainstream ‘WASH in School’ programme through trainings of teachers and headmasters and orientation of School Management Committees members,” she said, adding that a “lot more” had to be done to ensure that maximum number of people benefit from the drive.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Students of Sajjanpara primary school are washing their hands in a group with a beautiful song before having their mid-day meal.

source: Business Standard

“Utho, Jaago, Lokhyo naa pohchano porjonto thaamo naa (Get up, Wake up, and until you find your destination don’t stop),” is the welcoming phrase at the entrance of the small primary school in Gundlubari Village, situated at Hura block in Purulia District of West Bengal. On entering the school, the course towards the classroom, resembles a highway with milestones, traffic signal and signboards in which slogans like “Safe Drive Save Life” are imprinted. The use of cartoons and colourful graffiti conveying social messages, instructions to children about the various do’s and dont’s in the school are thoughtfully implemented to attract children.

In recognition of its efforts, the co-educational school from Grades 1 to 4 which has an attached pre-primary section, received the Nirmal Vidyalaya Award in 2015 and Sishumitra Vidyalaya Puruskar in 2016.

The Gundlubari Primary School has a gleaming look, with children reciting aloud their chapters, playing around or engrossed in their co-curricular activities. “I believe, for all-round development of a child it is important to engage them in other activities apart from classroom teaching,” says Pratap Chandra Mahato, the Headmaster, who has been rendering his service to the school since 2014.

However, the situation was quite contrary to what it is today. Earlier people were reluctant to send their children to school. The people, mostly daily-wage earners did not pay much heed to the importance of education. Moreover, they stayed away from their homes in search of jobs, as a result of which the children were deprived of basic necessities. “According to documents there were only 40 to 45 students registered in this school, and among them only 10 or 12 students used to be present. Everything was scattered, but somewhere I knew, I had to take a stand. Eventually, I started working on the various aspects of the school curriculum and today I get support from almost everyone, be it the villagers, or the parents, the BDO and the Panchayat. The students also enjoy coming to school and now we have a total of 79 students,” informs Mahato.

Overall, the school is very attractive. A distinctive feature of the school is the well-maintained, clean and green ambience which includes the garden, play area, playground and a vegetable garden. The school practices rainwater harvesting, solid waste management and designs handcraft items made out of waste materials. It consists of a room filled with artefacts which is divided into a library, science laboratory and a primary healthcare centre. “The decorum of the school is maintained by teachers and the students. We also engage local artisans for the artworks displayed in the school. I alongwith, the assistant teacher and the children clean the premises, prepare compost from the solid waste management system, plant trees and cultivate the vegetable garden,” he adds.

The school also has a separate dining area, adjacent to which is the vegetable garden, where vegetables, herbs and plants of various types are sprouted up in sequence. Interestingly, the wash basin is installed according to the height of the students and instructions related to mid-day meals, benefits of washing hands, and use of toilets are amply used and bullet marked on the walls of the school.

“The children here are very active, disciplined and energetic. The environment of the school is child-friendly, hence it allows the children to open up their minds and explore things differently. The students are fond of drawing, singing, dancing. In terms of the basic necessities they have access to RO drinking water and are taught about the five steps of washing hands. Separate toilets for boys and girls are also available with water supply. A weekly menu is prepared and mid-day meals are cooked by the women from Self Help Groups (SHGs), who also take care of hygiene during food preparation,” says Rupali Mahato, Assistant Teacher of Gundlubari Primary School.

Gauri Bauri, a student of fourth standard is fond of her library. “I like reading poems and short stories from the books we have in our library. My favourite subjects are Bengali, Mathematics and English and I aspire to be a Police Officer one day. We encourage our parents and family members to adopt healthy habits and maintain cleanliness like we practice in our school,” she says.

Among the many interesting factors, one of the focal point of the school are the two blue-coloured post boxes installed within the premises. Gopon Kotha (Confidential Matters) and Poramorsho o Abhijog Baksho(suggestion and complaint box) – are the names inscribed in the two boxes. Mahato explains, “The first box (Confidential Matters) is specifically meant for the girls and women — the students, our assistant teacher, the SHG women in our school, or any women from the village who faces any kind of discrimination, be it domestic violence, health issues, sexual harassment, existing in the school or within the area can drop their problems in the box.”

Rupali further states, “I alongwith a student from the child cabinet maintain the confidential box. After due consultation and discussion of various matters with the committee members and the concerned authorities of the school, we finally come to a solution and provide assistance to the victims in whatever way possible.”

The headmaster informs that an issue of domestic violence due to alcoholism was tackled and the information came through the confidential box. Proper counselling was provided to the victim and the family, who are now leading a normal life. Moreover, the timely intervention of women of the village against the spread of alcoholism led to the closure of three liquor shops in the area.

“The other post box is meant for the students and the general public. Here, any kind of suggestion regarding the improvement of the school, infrastructure, curriculum or complaints in case of any mischievous act conducted by the students are reported,” adds Mahato.

The primary school has a “Child Cabinet”, “Mata Siksha Committee”, and “Student Safety and Security Monitoring Committee”. Here each member of the cabinet or the committee has a different role to play. The child cabinet comprises of the Prime Minister, Sports Minister, Food Minister, Education & Environment Minister and Health Minister. They look after the sanitation, sports facility, drinking water facility, midday meal and cleanliness of the institute. Every Saturday, the cabinet meets in the school, where problems are discussed and resolved.

“The child cabinet, is headed by the Prime Minister, who works in close co-ordination with the teachers and together we work for the betterment of the school. The idea behind the child cabinet is to enable the children to gain ideas, acquire leadership quality and inculcate values,”  Mahato affirms.

A student of the fourth standard, Prantik Mahato, who happens to be the Prime Minister of the cabinet says, “I am proud of my school. We participate in activities like drawing, painting, singing, dancing, cleaning the premises, gardening, and planting vegetables. Apart from that we discuss different problems and prospects of the school with the teachers and take concrete steps to sort out the matter as soon as possible.”

Pritam Mahato, Sports Minister of the cabinet adds, “I am glad that we can play games like football, volleyball, kabaddi, badminton, and tennis in our school. However, earlier we did not have a playground, so I took the initiative to bring the matter to the cabinet. After consulting with the Prime Minister and our teachers I am fortunate to have a playground now. Though, I will be going to a different school next year, still I will carry the treasure of multiple skills being taught in this school and try to practise the same things which I have gained here.”

The school follows a comprehensive method of engaging the children, parents and the society at large for its overall development. The “Mata Shiksha Committee”, constitutes the mothers of the students, with whom a meeting is organized every month to converse on the problems and development of the students. On the other hand, the “Student Safety and Security Monitoring Committee”, as the name itself suggests, looks after the safety and security of the students and churn out plans to improve the same. This committee consists of an ICDS member, three members of the village on behalf of the guardian of the students, one ASHA worker, the assistant teacher Rupali, and the headmaster as the chairman of the committee.

As apprised by the headmaster, the school committee along with other like minded people takes out rallies, organize seminars and create awareness among the masses on health issues like dengue, malaria and social issues like child marriage. People can also put forward their ideas for consideration in the boxes (Confidential Box and Suggestion Box) and discuss in the monthly meetings. Moreover, going to households, they encourage the people to send their children regularly to school, thereby reducing the percentage of dropouts.

After the reformation of the Gundlubari Primary School, Pratap Mahato, the headmaster, aspires to move to another area called Kula Bahal, Sobor Para, in Purulia District, which comprise of a tribal community known as the Sobor Community and plans to imbibe the values for better education of children and upliftment of society. He winds up by saying, “Though the school has been regarded as Nirmal Vidyalaya, but my aim is to convert the entire village into a Nirmal Village, because until and unless the society is not clean, how can we expect our children to be clean?”

Pursuant to the second edition of the media initiative undertaken by the South Asian Women In Media (SAWM) in collaboration with UNICEF India, a group of journalists visited the Gundlubari Primary School. The purpose of the visit was to explore the model school with WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities, for which they were honoured with the Nirmal Vidyalaya Award.  

source: The Thumb Print