second EF meeting

Executive Summary

The second exchange forum was held from 14th to 16th October, 2003. It was held at the ISPWDK SAMUHA Campus at Tavaragera, Koppal District. The topic for the second exchange forum was Gender and Equity. The workshop was organized to reflect on experiences of the past one and a half years by the NGO partners of ISPWDK – MYRADA in Gulbarga, SAMUHA in Koppal and PRAWARDA in Bidar, in integrating gender and equity and deliberate on what needs to be done for the future.

The meeting began with a welcome to the participants followed by a round of introductions. The lead paper presentation covering the purpose of the workshop, definitions of gender and equity, the genesis of gender & equity integration in ISPWDK and the programme schedule for the next two days was presented. SAMUHA displayed their various activities through stalls.

A resource group from among the participants was formed to cull out the key points from each presentation, and present a synthesis on the final day. In the forenoon, there were presentations by ISPWDK and SDC/IC NGO partners. Each shared their experience on Gender and Equity. Each of the organizations shared its vision for gender and equity, the strategy and approach adopted by it in integrating gender and equity in its programmes, the capacity building undertaken for gender sensitization, case studies, etc. Many interesting observations and cases were presented. Lively discussions arose on issues arising from the presentations.

Three groups of participants went for field visits in the afternoon. The groups were to jointly learn how gender and equity is being addressed in the field and what are the issues involved in it. The groups visited three different places – VDS Adhvibhavi, PNMAS and MMS.

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