Switching Gears.

It's been weeks since my last post. This I know.

After two months of interning at Chaitanya, I said goodbye to my co-workers and friends that I have made in the village. For my final project I wrote a report about the conflict resolving process that counselor's implement in their cases and how the goals of the Jankar program directly relate to the concept of "women's peacebuilding".

Students of Chaitanya's Microfinance Management Program

Here are a few excerpts from this report:

The mission of the Jankar program is directly related to the concept of “women’s peace-building”. As a whole, this organization is continuously working to break down systems of power. They work to provide access to resources for specific marginalized groups of people so that their lives’ may be improved. In women’s peacebuilding, “feminist analysis identifies women’s specific concerns about peacebuilding, approaches peacebuilding from women’s perspectives, welcomes pluralistic voices and diverse methods” (McKay & Mazurana, 2001, p. 3). By applying this concept to the Jankar program we can then ask critical questions about peacebuilding as it pertains to the women of rural villages. How do grassroots organizations empower their voices? What are differences and similarities between storytelling throughout various cultures? In what ways is peacebuilding seen across cultures? These are the types of questions that are important to remember when considering how an organization like Chaitanya is able to contribute to building systems of peace and equality for women in rural villages. With Chaitanya as a leader in developing and empower women’s leadership roles in their community and decision-making power this paved the way for some alleviation of rural women’s issues. However, there is still work to be done to help the lives of rural women and the need for women’s full participation and action is great. Chaitanya has focused on increasing the number of women that are involved in participation and decision-making. “These efforts are deemed critical to enhancing women’s peacebuilding initiatives and capacities for achieving a just peace” (McKay & Mazurana, 2001, p. 10). This type of impact gives a voice to women who have been oppressed or marginalized in their communities especially when it comes to their family life. Since domestic violence is often the reason why women come to the Jankar counseling center, increasing women’s participation will ensure that the issues are addressed appropriately.

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As part of its mission, Legal Jankars inform their community about the services they provide for rural women. By reaching out to the community, at a personal level, the Jankars are able to meet with women who are interested in coming to the counsel center or becoming a Jankar themselves. This allows for growth, promotion, and continuity for the Jankar program and servicing women’s grievances. “Peacebuilding within women’s grassroots groups emphasizes relational behaviors, reconciliation and healing of psychological wounds” (McKay & Mazurana, 2001, p. 6). It also allows for groups to become tight-knit and form close relationships among one another. Having this type of focus strengthens the Jankar program at its core and helps to ensure power in numbers when a severe case arises. By having this collective outlook, women work together to solve the problems in their homes and villages.


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The conflict resolving process for the Jankars is based on a model that is communal and personal. Within this framework the process of mediation involves many parties, such as elders and important community members. Value is placed on persons or groups who have been trusted in the community and are most often the mediators for interpersonal conflicts and dispute settlements.

Augsburger (1992) describes the following in regards to culture and the law:

Law as an abstract system of codified rules, collected cases, and established precedents may still be the dominant pattern of Western societies, but it is not, in human relational terms, the most effective or satisfactory pattern. In most societies a whole range of procedures and methods for resolving disputes and managing personal conflicts exists in addition to the use of court procedures

(p. 192).

The importance of community involvement in family and marriage matters for the rural areas of Maharashtra is emphasized in the Jankar program. Here there are community elders and leaders that help facilitate the counseling sessions and also educate and inform one another about issues that are most prevalent in the area. The Legal Jankar program means that there is a group of women who are active in knowing the laws and policies of the judicial system in India, but are not actually representing themselves as lawyers, but as skilled individuals that guide women who need assistance. This enables the mediator to actively have a voice for others and have the know-how of the law and what the rights of women are which is especially important in cases of domestic violence and abuse.

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My experience at Chaitanya allowed me to critical think about the ways in which gender issues affect women internationally. I was able to make similarities between America and India, as well as see big differences in the manner these things are handled, culture to culture. The biggest difference for me was the way counselors would mediate and facilitate the session. Mostly because there was more than 3 people involved. In the West we are used to one counselor and two parties. Here in India, it exceeded that number every time. This meant that there was often no structure in any way, at least for me, I did not see any. What I can take from this experience is knowing that the women of India are constantly fighting for their right to be heard, understood, and respected. This is a challenge and goal for women across the world.

As I move on from Chaitanya and into my next internship at Educate Girls, I expect that I will find similar goals but for the youth of India in education. I have already begun day two of this internship and will post shortly of my intentions and expectations as they relate to my background at university.

Swameeni.

Swameeni is an 11-year-old girl who lives in Daund with her mother, father, siblings, aunt, and grandmother. She currently attends school and is in the 5^th standard. Chaitanya and the Jankar program work within her neighborhood as it is a poor community that works mostly in the labor sector. Sopan Patil is the District Manager of the Daund office and has been working with the family on their case. Jankar Ganga Buke and I went visit the home and talk with the family about Swameeni’s experience.

One afternoon, Swameeni came home from school and for a moment she was there alone. The adults of the household were either at work or had stepped out to go to market. A 38-year-old man, and next door neighbor, came over to her house and immediately attempted to rape her. Swameeni was able to escape the man when she heard a group of her friends calling her to come out and play. She quickly ran to her friends, and when she saw her mother coming home she went to her crying and telling her what had happened. The family went straight to the police, but they would not take an official statement or give any concern for this matter.

Swameeni (center, purple dress) and her family.

Swameeni’s mother decided to go to the counseling center for help and support. The counselors formed a group of 42 Self-Help Group members and went to the police to demand a fair case report. The medical statement from the police reports that the girl was sexually assaulted on her breast, buttocks, and genital area. There was no bodily injury, bruises, scarring, marks, or penetration. However, there was a small patch of redness on her stomach that was not clear of how it occurred. At the time of the report Swameeni was identified to be a conscious, cooperative, well-nourished, and well-oriented child. The police arrested the neighbor and subsequently beat him for his offense. After which, he was spent two days in jail for attempted rape of a young girl.

The family seems to be strong and stable despite the unfortunate event and emotional damage it may have left. The mother is very grateful for the support that has been given from Chaitanya and relieved that the situation was handled. When the mother was asked if she was afraid for her children’s safety or thought that the same man would try to rape Swameeni again, she answered “No”. Her reason for this is because there was so much attention and pressure from the community, and he was punished by the police. However, she also answered that she does not allow or leave the children at home without an adult family member.

The perpetrator continues to live next door with his wife and two sons. They own a shop that sits in front of their home.

Anita.

When I arrived at the bus station in Pune, I was greeted by Surekah Gaikwad who is a counselor at Zila Pradishad. She has been specializing in Family Counseling for over 10 years. Together we took a rickshaw to the counseling center where I would meet and talk with a current client.

I was introduced to Anita and she was informed of my presence and reason for internship with Chaitanya. She greeted me kindly and spoke some English. I was somewhat relieved. It is always a little awkward to be meet someone for the first time and know that they are about to tell you their personal marriage problems right then and there. Anita had no problem with this at all.


Anita is a 25 year old woman who was married in 2010 to a 26 year-old man. She has been educated up to the college level, but has not yet completed her degree. The husband has been educated up to the 10th standard. They live with his parents in a village outside of Pune.

Anita first came to the center on May 13, 2011 to discuss issues and concerns that have come about during her first year of marriage. She began by explaining that since the beginning of their marriage her husband has not been able to make a "positive adjustment". His behavior has been erratic and often treats her unkindly and with no respect. Often, the husband will verbally abuse her by yelling, shouting, and “rough talking” during arguments. The arguments are created by the husband who constantly targets her actions, behavior, and work around the house. The husband is believed to be a threat to her safety because he has physically harmed her body with scratches and cuts to her arms, causing her to bleed.

Anita began to notice that her husband was spending time with his brother’s wife and would not let her join the conversation or enter the room. She has come to find that he has been having an affair with the sister-in-law, which perhaps this is the cause of much of the tension and anger that he is having towards his wife. This situation has clearly been affecting her self-esteem as she was quite upset and frustrated during our session.

The husband has not been willing to come to the counseling center to talk with Surekah. She has even went out to the village to see him herself, but was not received well. It seems that he also shouts at people who are not his wife, and want to talk about his affair and marriage problems. The only thing he could manage to say is that he is not the problem, but Anita is. He refuses to talk and when he has he lies about what his behavior has been like.

I asked Anita if she would like to stay married since as of now, he does not. She does want to be married to him, but only if he is able to change and become a husband that she deserves. Anita was joined by her uncle, mother, and brother, and all were in agreement to compromise so that the marriage would last. However, if they end up getting a divorce it could be difficult for Anita to marry again as Indian culture has very much stigmatized a divorced woman.

Together we talked about our perceptions of marriage, well to a point. With losing meaning in translation there is only so much one can communicate and understand. I can only hope that it gets better for Anita. Whatever the outcome is, I know that she deserves happiness and to be treated with respect from her husband.

Trouble in Paradise.

Ahmednagar, MH

With Legal Jankar staff, we drove three hours east to a city called Ahmednagar. I was cramped with four other people in the back, praying that the door didn't open and I would fall out every time the jeep hit a bump. It was hot, and then of course, the rains came after awhile.

Ganga tai & Jayshri tai

Our mission today was to end a love marriage. The couple had been together for about 2 years before deciding to get married. Once they said their vows, just three days after the wife announced that she wanted a divorce. From what I was told it was because he had sexually harassed her after they were married.

This reason was considered by the Jankar, but also many felt that it was a false accusation. Primarily, because love marriages are not accepted by families. Which means that her father and family may have pressured her into finding a way out of the marriage. The Jankars also thought she was lying because of the history of relationship between the couple. This of course, I had to question myself since who can know for sure if she was "crying wolf" or telling the truth.

Regardless, here's how it all went down.

Nirmala Chaudhari & Arika tai

Chaitanya's co-founder, Arika-tai, met with lawyer and founder of Nyayadhar for Women's Rights, to facilitate and mediate the divorce process. This also included an audience of about 10 others, including yours truly. There were lots of arguments, pleading of cases, and silence. Neither husband or wife ever said one word. After about an hour the deed was done. The lawyers assistant typed up the notice in a rather old and dusty computer, and the marriage was canceled. I suppose this could be the equivalent of an annulment in the States. It seemed too easy for a process especially India's bureaucratic system. But, we said goodbye to the husband, which both sides seemed somewhat relieved to move on. Although, I couldn't help but notice him looking after her as she hopped on a motorcycle with her father.




All in all, the concept of love and arranged marriage has become rather interesting to me.

Over 90% of marriages in India are still arranged. Less than 5% end in divorce.

For one, this is part of the Indian culture is so obviously different from what the majority of Americans/Westerners know. Arranged marriages?! As in, never met before the wedding. As in, your parents decide for you. Total gamble for your future. The fact that our culture takes so much effort to focus our attention on what love is, falling in love, chemistry, true love, and having a soul mate it's hard to imagine what someone is going through during the process of an arranged marriage. Take a look at the divorce rate. We all know Americas: HALF of all marriages end in DIVORCE. Who's to say that the rest of India's 95% is in a happy and loving marriage? Most of the time it is very difficult for marriages to end and can be quite costly.

So is it better to marry for love or not?

I'd really like to continue with this at a later time. For now, I will post.

Everything Exposed.

This past week was full of many different events, exciting, exhausting and somewhat depressing.

Monday started off with a visit to the Jankar counsel sessions, which takes place at the guesthouse lounge where I am staying. This is not your typical marriage counseling session, at least not by Western standards. There are no confidentiality agreements, no appointments made, and by no means any privacy. Yep, that’s right. All your problems are exposed to the next client, as well as your family and everyone else’s. Oh, and me, but that’s no big deal because I can’t understand anything that is being said.

Regardless of the logistical arrangement, the session was quite the spectacle. Did I mention there can be more than one counselor at any point during these meetings? That is what I found to be both interesting and confusing. Interesting because with this process you have various minds coming together to support the outcome of the parties’ issues. Confusing because how do counselors work to gain the trust of both parties if they are constantly switching around? Many other questions come to mind around this process. What does it entail for the husband and wife? Does their argument increase or decrease with the switching of Jankar? What about the audience, how does this affect their ability to be truthful with the counselor(s)?

Jankar counsel session

Well, actually, that last question might be an easy one to answer: Not at all! I may not be able to understand Marathi, but I can sure comprehend body language, tone, expressions, and I think I am a pretty good judge of vibes that are sent out. Nothing is held back it seems, and you can especially tell when things get heated and all sides begin to raise their voices. Be that as it may, intercultural communication, translating non-verbal messages, and listening to people shouting in another language can be very tiring. After sometime, I went up to my flat to take a quick snooze.

On Wednesday I went with my co-workers to a village outside of Rajgurunagar to celebrate Chaitanya’s first year completion of their health insurance program. This program was developed to provide health benefits and medical care to the rural women and their families at a reasonable cost. I believe the figures are 150-200 rupees…which is like $3-4 dollars. This is for ONE year of health insurance. Now granted, we live in very different societies, and costs are extremely different for each. But in a society that is quite corrupt in maintaining its credibility as caring for the people of its country (wait, corruption? insurance? I forget if I’m talking about America or India), this service provides basic care for a community that is underprivileged and marginalized, as well as faces extreme health issues. Thanks to Chaitanya, which is an NGO, for developing this program and the staff for carrying out the mission.

Chaitanya's Health Event & 1 Year Celebration

Speaking of health concerns…

This is probably going to be really gross for some of you readers, but I think it is appropriate and necessary for me to post. So the other day after work I walked out of the office building and began walking down the dirt road. I looked down the road and notice that there was a little girl going to the bathroom right out in the open. I see this girl quite often as her father owns a little shop just outside the office. I thought, “How funny, she’s peeing on the side of the road”. Actually this was not the case at all. I managed not to look for one second as I thought she may want some privacy, but as I waited to cross the street I saw it all. Yup, she was pooping. I crossed the street and chuckled to myself while trying to get the image off my mind. Now seriously though, what struck me was that she did not have a solid stool, it was basically diarrhea. As I continued to walk further down the road I thought about how this health issues is of great concern for many children in India. Diarrhea is a big problem, and is the second major cause of death here.

"Children weakened by frequent diarrhea episodes are more vulnerable to malnutrition and opportunistic infections such as pneumonia. About 48% of children in India are suffering from some degree of malnutrition. Diarrhea and worm infection are two major health conditions that affect school age children impacting their learning abilities" (UNICEF INDIA).

I realized that this could possibly be a daily routine for her, and that she is one of 240 million children under the age of 5 in India not getting the proper nutrition and diet that a young girl needs.

Mother & Child at Chaitanya's health celebration.

First Week in India.

My first week in India has been quite eventful and memorable. Arriving in Mumbai and seeing my first glimpses of the city was intense and hilarious. It's amazing how many people are in this country. When I was taken by car to Rajgurunagar, I thought that there would be less people because the location is further out and in the valley. That was not the case at all! Every where I looked there were people bustling and moving about. I couldn't believe it. I suppose with a country population of 1.2 billion it would be difficult to escape people. I thought that Rajgurunagar would be a small village of 20,000 poeple, but from what I was told there is anywhere from 40-60,000. This range is mostly due to the fact that no one gives an exact census to the government because otherwise taxes would increase, and the government would most likely use the funds to further corrupt practices. Very interesting.

On Tuesday I met my supervisor, Kalpana, and we discussed my goals and expectations for my internship at Chaitanya. We agreed that it would be best to take the week to get acquainted with the organization and the programs that are carried out. I mentioned that I would be interested in the Jankar program, which is focused around domestic violence and counseling for women and families. I think that this area would be helpful in understanding the dynamics of conflict within Indian culture and how counselors go about the process of resolving issues in the home.

Street in Rajgurunagar. Everyone drives a motorcycle. EVERYONE.

Kalpana invited me to a monthly Federation meeting that was being held in Junnar, about an hour from Rajgurunagar. First day and off to field work? Why not?! We took a truck out there and I was excited to see the local area. The drive was hilarious. Lots of speeding, sharp turns, driving in the opposite lane, oh, and honking. Lots of honking. Kalpana explained that the first rule of the road is: If you're bigger, you go first! Use the horn! So funny. I have both enjoyed and have been annoyed by the traffic here. All part of the experience!

We arrived in Junnar and I was introduced to a large group of mainly women, all who have membership and play important roles within Chaitanya. I did not sit in on the entire meeting, but was able to have a small discussion/interview with some of the Legal Jankars. There are three types of Jankars: Legal, Government, and Self Help Group (SHG) Jankar. Their goal is to train women in the areas of gender sensitive laws and women's rights. Legal Jankars will use counseling skills to help resolve family issues and problems, as well as inform women of their legal rights in India.

View of Rajgurunagar from atop a hill.

Chaitanya is the leading organization in promoting micro-finance programs in Maharashtra and is the first federation of SHG's in the state. The organization has been successful at forming 14 federations in 7 districts. The goal of the federation is to provide equitable and and affordable financial services to women.

As I said before, I didn't sit in on most of the meeting, mainly because it was all conducted in Marathi. I was able to talk with a few of the Jankars and was thankful to have a "translator", who is also my new friend, Tushar. This was quite an event. Turns out that Tushar has been lacking in his English skills, and since I have very little Hindi or Marathi knowledge there became a whole mess of translation errors and confusion. Most of which was laughed at. From what I could gather, the Legals were discussing with me different cases that they encounter that happen within their towns. Anything from domestic violence, issues with in-laws, and farming and land disputes. Many of the women have been working with Chaitanya for 10 or more years. They enjoy and work hard to promote the sustainability of women rights and empowerment.

Students of the Micro-Financing Management Program at Chaitanya

The rest of the week I took time to figure out what I wanted to do as far as my learning outcome and project. I read a few different reports about rural health for women in the Pune district and got more and more interested in that aspect. I had the opportunity to witness a negotiation of health services to be given to a local tribal village by a doctor in Junnar. It seemed that the process went really well as the doctor was from the tribal village. He agreed that he would conduct services for free once a week. After this meeting, Kalpana and I drove out to the tribal village to inform the leader that the people would begin receiving services that week. Tushar, Kalpana, and I went out to celebrate by grabbing a quick bite of fried vegetables.

On Friday, I went back to Junnar with my fellow intern and friend, Katarina who has been here for four weeks now and doing a report about the selection process of Jankars and the formation of SHG's. We were going to a Legal Jankar Training that was conducted by Ganga thai. She is a young women who has been involved in this area for a few years. There were 5 women who showed for the training. To become a Jankar you must be involved in trainings that happen once a month for one year. The topic for that afternoon was about domestic violence, what it is, where it occurs, and how to confront it. The students were informed about the Domestic Violence Act of 2005 that was passed in India.

The DV Act was passed to protect women from the hands of their abuser, whether it is a husband, live-in partner or the relatives of the partner. The law also extends to women who are sisters, widows, or mothers. The act defines domestic violence as being physical, emotional, economic. sexual, and verbal, as well as harassment of an unlawful dowry. One of the most important features of this act is the women's right to property and secure housing. The woman has the right to stay in the home that she has been married into regardless if her name is on the title or if she has rights to the house. This residence order has been passed by the court which is secured and cannot be passed against any woman. The law also enforces that the abuser cannot be engaged in communication or visit the abused at their place of work, or isolate any assets that are shared in the household. Women are also provided medical care, legal aid, and shelter.

Ganga-thai teaching about DV to Legal Jankar trainees

Coming to this meeting was very helpful in figuring out what it is that I want to focus on. Given that I am a student of Conflict Resolution I thought that it would be best to understand the dynamics of power and conflict within a family dispute or violence situation. How does cultural expectations and traditions fuel conflict within the home? What are the ways in which families handle conflict? What do Legal Jankars do to help the process of engaging in dialogue with spouses to overcome conflict or areas of DV? How are extended family members involved and what do they contribute to the overall process of conflict resolution? Or do the fuel the fire? I spoke with Kalpana about this idea and she gave me input on how this information could be useful for new staff members who come to work as counselors. By looking at different cases and examples from the past, as well as present ones, I should be able to gather information about dynamics and processes that counselors participate in. This would also help in making suggestions about what could be done to improve the conditions and functions of counselors.

It's been a long week, but a productive first week. It seems like it has been longer than a week given that I have not only been working, but also becoming acquainted with my living arrangements, with the people, and of course, eating so much good food! I have seriously been enjoying this time and I am hopeful and excited for the next 7 weeks I have here in Rajgurunagar!

Looking Forwad to an Indian Summer

Hello All! This is my official blog for my trip to India. It will serve its purpose to track my preparation for India, my time spent there, the work I participate in, the people I will learn from and will never forget, and also for academic purposes that will contribute to my final thesis project.

For 2 1/2 to 3 months I will be spending a summer in India to complete an internship for my graduate degree in Conflict Resolution at Portland State University. I will be leaving around the end of June or beginning of July and will return mid-September.

So far nothing is set in stone as to where I will be, but my hope is to land a position at Educate Girls for 4 weeks in the state of Rajasthan, and 10 weeks at Chaitanya in Rajgurunagar, Maharashtra. I should find out within a week or so from my internship coordinator just where my future will be.


A little about the organizations I am interested in:

Educate Girls
http://www.educategirls.in/progressreport_intro.html

Young girls are at quite a disadvantage in India simply because of their gender. Many are illiterate and have no opportunity to get an education. "The national literacy rate of girls over 7 years is 54% against 75% for boys. In the Northern Hindi-speaking states of India, girls literacy rates are particularly low, ranging between 33-50%" (www.UNICEF.org/India/media_2673.htm)

At Educate Girls the mission is to encourage and empower families to enroll their female children in schools. Girls who become educated will have more of chance to stay out of poverty, live a healthy life, reduce gender discrimination, and pave the pathway for other young girls. The organizations visits local villages around the state, going door-to-door, to meet families with female children.

Once girls are in school the organization keeps up with their academic improvement and areas of need. It is also just as important to have the community and family engaged in the child's education and become involved with their attendance.


There are many social, cultural, and political barriers that limit a girls education and even the work that Educate Girls participates in. Many girls are expected to work on their families farms once it is the season for harvest. This means that girls are not able to go back to school and continue their studies. The government has even ignored that there are high numbers of girls who are not in school and have taken their time to get funding for them to attend.

Educate Girls has a long road ahead of them in their mission to close the gender gap. This is an inspiration to me as woman because I have had the opportunity to be educated as a young girl. I did not have to worry about a gender gap or not being able to attend school because I am female. Because of my education I have been able to accomplish a lot of things in my life, and also look after and support myself in a positive way. It would be meaningful and humbling if I were to help the young girls of Rajasthan by empowering them to accomplish the same.

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Chaitanya
http://www.chaitanyaindia.org/

The work done at Chaitanya is similar to that of Educate Girls, but instead with the focus of rural adult women. Their vision is to create a society in India in which women have equal access to resources and have control over their finances. The goal is to empower women and youth to build communities that are self-reliant and sustainable in order to improve their quality of life.


The organization provides trainings and information that pertains to reducing poverty for women and awareness about the government and its policies. There are also counseling programs for women who have been physically abused by their spouses and how to prevent it from happening to others. Much of this work happens in group counseling with other women. There are also pre-marriage counseling options for those about to be married.

Health is a focus and concern for Chaitanya as it looks at the needs assessments of villages around the state. The communities are encouraged to become involved in the health needs of the population and to prevent poor health for women and children who are most susceptible to disease.

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To me, it would be interesting and worthwhile to see how these two organizations, which are in different parts of India, who have common goals and interests regarding women and girls of India work to improve conditions for the community as a whole. I would like to see how young girls are educated and empowered to live a healthy and meaningful life, and then to see how women carry out this vision by improving their communities.

All I am doing now is waiting to see what happens next...