GEM Critical Issues International Seminar Series continues March 4

The presentation on March 4, 2008, will feature Sushma Iyengar, Managing Trustee, Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS), Bhuj, Gujarat, India, who will discuss gender equity issues and progress in meeting UN Millennium Development Goals.

Sushma Iyengar began work in 1988 in the rural regions of dryland Kutch with rural women on issues concerning their empowerment. In 1989, she founded the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, as an organization of rural women, and initiated processes for mobilizing, organizing and training rural women, as well as organization building. Presently she is associated with KMVS as a mentor and vice-president of the organization. KMVS is a membership-based organization of rural women’s groups in the district of Kutch, Gujarat. Rural women members of KMVS have developed their own block level rural women’s organizations in 5 blocks, and provide leadership to over 14,000 women and communities in 175 villages. KMVS collectives focus primarily on issues of ecological restoration, adaptation to drought and dryland livelihoods – strengthening women’s role and resource access in their traditional economies of animal husbandry and embroidered craft; domestic violence, reproductive health, land tenurial rights, and political participation. The collective has pioneered the use and management of community radio in the Country.

Iynegar is also one of the core founding members of Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan – commonly known as Abhiyan - a District Network of developmental, civil society organizations in Kutch District, Gujarat State. As the Coordinating Head of the network, Iyengar worked to organize,sponsor, initiate, and incubate relevant interventions/institutions -
• Led the 2001 Earthquake relief and rehabilitation coordination in the region. Abhiyan became a nodal partner to the UN system, Gujarat State and International/National Civil Society Institutions who supported the rehabilitation of Kutch.
• In 2001 Founded ‘SETU’ – a network of 18 grass root, resource facilitation centres in clusters of 15-20 villages across the district of Kutch.
• In 2004 Founded KHAMIR – Craft Resource Centre, an institution which supports and services artisans dependent on the textile and 3-D crafts in Kutch. Seeks to revitalize, and redefine the many different craft sectors in the region – known for its craft tradition and skills.

Iyengar has won numerous awards and wide recognition for her work. She was nominated in 2005 by India Today National Magazine as one of the 30 young powerful women influencers in the country.

Read more about the Critical Issues series here.

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