For Ecological and Social Justice

ActionAid Association
Annual Report
2019-20
Contents
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 2
LAND, AGRICULTURE AND WATER COMMONS ................................................................................... 5
LAND AND AGRICULTURE ................................................................................................................... 5
Major Advances ................................................................................................................................ 5
WATER COMMONS ............................................................................................................................. 22
Major Advances .............................................................................................................................. 22
WORLD OF WORK Labour and Livelihoods Rights with Focus on Women and the World of
Work ......................................................................................................................................................... 33
Major Advances .................................................................................................................................. 33
State Level and Grounded Interventions .................................................................................. 36
WOMEN’S RIGHTS With a Focus on Women’s Right to Property................................................... 45
Major Advances .................................................................................................................................. 45
State Level and Grounded Interventions ................................................................................... 46
PUBLIC FINANCE, BUDGETS AND GOVERNANCE ............................................................................. 55
Major Advances .................................................................................................................................. 55
State Level and Grounded Interventions .................................................................................. 56
JUST, INCLUSIVE, AND LIVABLE URBAN SPACES .............................................................................. 61
Major Advances .................................................................................................................................. 61
PEACE & JUSTICE, COMMUNAL HARMONY ........................................................................................ 64
Major Advances .................................................................................................................................. 64
Grounded interventions ............................................................................................................... 64
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND CHILD RIGHTS ........................................................................................... 71
Major Advances .................................................................................................................................. 71
EMERGENCY RESPONSE ........................................................................................................................ 78

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
INTRODUCTION
As we rise on our feet to put back life’s broken pieces together and move on, we recall
with shock and awe, how fragile human survival is, and how insignificant humanity is in
the web of life. Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted life as we know it and one thing is
for sure – the undeniable interdependence of people and planet, that the integrity of
planet earth, where all that inhabit it, have an intrinsic value and therefore, we cannot
take it for granted anymore.
Nevertheless, that this had to come at a time when we were reeling under massive
socio-political, cultural and economic upheavals, made things all the more challenging.
However, amidst these uncertainties, there is also an emerging hope and belief that
better days lie ahead, for humanity to step back and realign its priorities and
reconfigure the unjust and unequal structures, systems and institutions, including
individuals opposed to feminist principles who run them, which are at the root of the
challenging and disturbing issues that keep re-emerging.
Year 2019 has been a witness to many changes; be it national affairs or social and
political activism. The unexpected scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status;
The Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) that left out over 19 lakh people; The
Supreme Court’s verdict on Ayodhya and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
uprisings across the country that continued till most of March 2020.
At least 11,27,446 tribals and forest-dwelling households facing eviction following
Supreme Court’s judgement was reversed thanks to Govt. intervention following 100
tribals who walked about 500 kms from Dindori to Bhopal and a huge tribal people’s
conclave of more than 500 tribals converging to demand restoration of forest, land,
water and local self-governance back in the hands of the indigenous people.
ActionAid Association strengthened its engagement on the issue of land and with
peasants, pastoralists, landless labourers, tenants, share- croppers, and agricultural
workers, with special attention to landless, labour, poor, women and rural youth. We
have been actively engaging with land reform movements at the state and national
level along with pursuing the agenda with people’s platforms and movements. Through
national and various state consultations we worked to bring back the agenda of land
reforms at the centre stage of discourse within civil society and polity. The national
alliance “Rashtriya Bhu Adhikar Morcha” that took shape last year, was instrumental in
taking forward land rights campaign across various states. We engaged with Tribal
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representatives at various level to take forward the issue of forest rights. Grounded
actions for filing and accessing claims continued across states.
We continued to strengthen sustainable agriculture by promoting ecological farming
practices, capacity building and strengthening farmers’ collectives, facilitating seed
banks for conservation of indigenous varieties of seeds. The campaign focused to
promote mixed farming, sowing and harvesting of low water intensive crops. Through
water literacy campaigns, the community was made aware of identifying potential water
savings and use of traditional methods to protect, rejuvenate and save water. The
campaign also discussed about current and future challenges pertaining to water
scarcity and rejuvenation of water bodies. Water audit was also conducted in the
villages to assess the impact of drought, requirement of drinking water, livestock,
agriculture and ground water sources.
ActionAid Association continued to engage with women and build their capacities and
agencies to challenge patriarchy. We have delved deeper to ensure that women have
access to work and livelihood. We reached around 200,000 informal sector workers
across states engaged in various efforts through our state offices and their allies.
We successfully concluded the European Commission-supported project engaging
with people dependent on the informal economy. We engaged with 1,86,601 workers
from 896 collectives with a total membership of 43,910 (26,571 women and 17,339
men). A total of 30,242 people were trained, of whom 25,192 (83%) were women and
63% (19,161) aged 18 to 30.
Our Executive Director was re-elected as Co-Chair of the World Urban Campaign
Steering Committee for a second term during the tenth session of the World Urban
Forum in Abu Dhabi.
“Women Wage Watch Groups” were initiated for grounded work across 12 states to
track, monitor and document wage violation, labour laws violation and harassment at
workplace.
Along with our allies, we submitted the Domestic Worker Policy Legislation
recommendations to NHRC to be then tabled with the Union Ministry of Labour and
Employment.
We also organised a series of consultations across various States who analyzed the
proposed bill on the Wage Code and Occupational Health and Safety Code and Social
Security Bill with a gender lens and shared the same with 48 people’s representatives
across all formations. Our inputs were appreciated by the Parliamentary Standing

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Committee on Labour issues and were used by the MPs in their responses during the
Parliament Session.
With a view to setting out an agenda for change for women workers in the informal
economy, we recently brought out ‘The Charter of Women Workers: An Agenda for
Change for Women in the Informal Economy”
We launched the “Women’s Share” campaign on women’s property rights with women
participating from more than 14 states. As a follow up, women applied for property
rights across the states - 646 women received housing and property rights. At least
447 women applied for rights over agricultural land.
The Madhya Pradesh State Police approached ActionAid Association to partner with
them for gender sensitisation of its officers. As a technical support agency, we
developed gender sensitization and capacity-building curriculum, as well as research
on policy reforms on gender and trained more than 400 police officers so far. Under
this MoU signed at the MP Police Academy in Bhopal, we will provide hand-holding
support to the state police in its efforts towards establishing gender justice in its overall
functioning.
In most States, strengthening public education by making Government schools
functional to provide quality and equitable education is the driving force of our
engagements on Child Rights. An arena we believe is a major space to work on Child
Marriage as well. We identified out of school children, convened mass awareness
drives as well advocated for policies on child labour and sexual violence against
children. We also provided inputs to the New Draft Education Policy. Through our
Campaign “No to child Marriage – Yes to School” we reached out to 2,07,342 children
and 2389 youths in 2571 schools across 22 districts in these four states.
With floods and droughts routinely devastating lives of vulnerable communities, we
reached out the most vulnerable communities residing in difficult and remote areas in
8 states and droughts in 2 states. We also responded to the riot affected in North East
Delhi.

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 LAND, AGRICULTURE AND WATER
COMMONS
LAND AND AGRICULTURE
ActionAid Association India has been working on the issue of land and with peasants,
pastoralists, landless labourers, tenants, sharecroppers, and agricultural workers, with
special attention to landless, labour, poor, women and rural youth. We have been
actively engaging with land reform movements at the state and national level along
with pursuing the agenda with people’s platforms and movements.
We have been making efforts in the direction of bringing the land reforms agenda to
the centre stage of discourse within civil society and polity. National consultations and
land rights campaign were such efforts in this direction. For the survival and living
dignified lives it becomes even more important that the marginalized communities get
access and control over land and natural resources including, land, forest and water
commons.

Major Advances
National Consultation on Land Rights was organised in Bhopal to discuss, understand
challenges and develop strategies to ensure land right to the landless families of
marginalized community and prevent land alienation. Around 80 participants from 15
states participated. The structure of a national Alliance “Rastriya BhuAdhikar Morcha”
and design of national campaign and its action plan was prepared. The action plan
included identifying and building strong state and national networks of small and large
community groups, social movements, NGOs, development agencies, academicians,
advocates etc. working on land rights.
This was followed with the meeting of the National core group formed to facilitate
Rashtriya BhuAdhikar Morcha in Ranchi.
National consultation of Tribal people’s representatives was organized on tribal self-
governance, natural resources, FRA and identity with tribal people’s representatives in
New Delhi. A total of 11 people’s representatives participated from Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Maharashtra in the consultation and pledged to
collectively defend rights of tribal and make policies in their favour in the Parliament.

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A National Leadership Workshop on the issue of land rights was conducted in Bhopal.
Around 45 participants from UP, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa and Madhya
Pradesh participated in the workshop. Perspective building session were organised on
the issues of forest Rights Act, PESA, Fifth Schedule, Urban Housing, Dalit land rights
and land reforms. The participants planned to take forward these issues in their
respective states.
In Rashtriya Adiwasi Adhiveshan organised at Raipur around 300 tribal delegates and
activists representing 44 organisations and platforms from 10 States came together.
They expressed the concern over tribal existence, identity, dignity and aspirations
being under threat. They deliberated the issues and came up with resolution called
Raipur declaration, emphasising on empowering gram sabha for protection and
management of all the natural resources – land, water, forest and minerals, respecting
and promotisng tribal identity, culture and languages. for tribals. It also included
exercising free, prior, informed consent (FPIC) on all projects in its territory, ensures
land and livelihood rights, proper implementation of PESA, uniform status of PVTGs,
etc.
A two-day consultation on rural agrarian distress and its impacts, particularly on
farmer’s incomes, was organised along with JNU in Delhi.
The brunt of this crisis is faced by marginalized communities including tribals, Dalits,
NT-DNTs, and minorities, and especially the women among them. We organised a panel
at the conference on 19th October to bring out the perspectives and challenges of
women farmers from tribal, dalit, landless and NT-DNT communities. We also hosted
a smaller consultation on innovative ideas informed by ground experience on how to
augment and increase farmers’ incomes. This was with special reference to discussions
we have been having with the Finance Ministry about incomes, social security, and
welfare benefits of marginalized communities involved in farming such as tribals, NT-
DNTs, and landless agricultural labourers. The recommendations and suggestions were
included into a note for the Ministry on augmenting farmer incomes.
A lecture series on ‘Contemporary Agrarian Systems in the Global South: Emerging
Institutional Arrangements, Challenges & Responses’ was held at Jawaharlal Nehru
University (JNU), New Delhi, from February 27 to 29. This three-day conference was
organized jointly by the Global Labour University; Centre for Informal Sector and
Labour Studies, JNU; ActionAid Association; Sam Moyo African Institute for Agrarian
Studies (SMAIAS); Centre for Agrarian Research and Education for South (CARES);
Agrarian South Network (ASN) and International Center for Development and Decent
Work, Kassel (ICDD).
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On the second day, ActionAid Association led a panel on ‘Experiences from the Field’.
‘Rethinking Social Sciences with Sam Moyo’ was also launched at the event.

State Level and Grounded Interventions

Madhya Pradesh
Land Rights Campaign was organised in Madhya Pradesh in wake of Supreme Court
judgement regarding removal of 1,127,446 tribal and other forest-dwelling households
whose claims for the land rights were rejected. In order to raise and generate mass
awareness on the issues of control over forest, land, water resources and brining local
self-governance back in the hands of the indigenous people, a group of 100 tribal
walked about 500 kms from Dindori to Bhopal through tribal dominated districts like
Mandla, Narsinghpur and Chhindwara. They started on 9th February and reached the
capital on 26th February. Here a big tribal people’s conclave was organized where more
than 500 tribal participated. A delegation also met the Chief Minister of Madhya
Pradesh and submitted its demand. The Chief Minister assured that the state will review
every rejected cases of FRA and put a strong defence in the Supreme Court so that
no forest dwellers are removed from their land.
Consultation with Tribal people’s representatives
An effort was made to bring all the tribal Members of Assembly together i one platform
on the issues related to increasing exploitation and violation against tribal, alienation
from forest land, implementation of FRA, PESA and Fifth schedule, formation and
functioning of Tribal Advisory Council, proposed amendment of the Indian Forest Act
1927, sharing and utilization of budget under Tribal Sub plan etc. A consultation with
29 tribal representatives of the people was conducted in Bhopal. The state tribal affairs
minister and union steel minster for state participated. Despite being from different
political parties, all of them agreed to raise the above issues in state assembly and
effective functioning of policies which benefits tribals and review those which may
adversely impact them.
A state level campaign called Adivasi Adhikar Hunkar Yatra was organised with the
objective to bring all the tribal groups across the state of Madhya Pradesh on one
platform on the issues of claiming and protecting land, forest, self-governance and
indigenous culture. It started across the tribal regions of the state on 2nd October and
continued till 17th November 2019. Around 83 tribal groups mainly Gond, Bheel, Barela
and Saharia came together in the campaign. The campaign reached 32 districts mainly
in Mahakaushal, Malwa, Nimar and Rewanchal regions. People also submitted demand
letters which reflected their regional issues as well as state and national policy issues
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to the district Collectors and People’s representatives at state and national level. The
campaign concluded with a state level conclave Adivasi Hunkar Sabha on 17th
November in Bhopal. More than 10,000 tribals came from across the state to show
their strength and demand their rights. Tribal leaders from various groups shared their
stories of struggle and raised their demand. The state Tribal Affairs Minister, State
Home Minister, Union Steel Minister for state along with more than 10 tribal MLAs
participated in the conclave. The Ministers assured protection of tribal interest and
their welfare. The tribal Affair Minister reiterated that all rejected and pending cases of
land claims under FRA will be examined through ‘Van Mitra’ app and no rightful claimant
will be alienated from their land.
Tribal delegation met with the Governor and Chief Minister two times and discussed
on issues like enactment of PESA Act and Fifth Schedule in the state.
• As a result of the efforts State Tribal Advisory Council has been formed in Madhya
Pradesh. Twenty tribal MLAs are its members and its first meeting has been
conducted. The council has considered many of our policy recommendation like
sanction, utilization and transparency of funds under TSP, implementation of FRA,
PESA etc.
• Meetings with the Principal Secretary, tribal welfare department were conducted
numerous times to discuss on the drafting state rule of PESA Act and enactment
of Van Mitra app to settle land claims under FRA.
• A check dam was constructed by ActionAid Association with the support of Ochre
Tree in Sangi Village of Rewa District. The check dam could directly benefit 263
Dalit and Tribal families also the people of the neighbouring village Chiriha.
Karnataka
The indigenous communities living inside forest area, evicted families, communities
living on the fringes of Nagarhole forest areas of Mysore district have been collectively
struggling to reclaim their right to forest. In 2019 communities have demonstrated their
determination in realizing their constitutional rights.
Dalit communities living in Khanapur block of Belagavi districts and Chinthamani block
of Chickballapur district are leading the struggle for land. A total of 300 families have
identified the common land and filed the application for land entitlement. During 2019,
several times community collectives have interfaced with the Tahsildar and District
Collector.

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Odisha
The 7th state level Desi Chasi Sammelan was organized in 2019, by the Desi Bihan
Suraksha Manch, Odisha with the solidarity support with other organisations. More than
450 farmers from 16 districts from across Odisha had gathered to celebrate traditional
agricultural practises, assert their rights to their land, forests and seeds, and to put
forward demands for policies that are pro small farmers.Thisyeartmofdcusinwalmtehgndispactorule.ThdisconwaelrudSeed bill -2019, experiences
of organic school kitchen garden, role of seed banks in the promotion of ecological
farming and indigenous seeds, Women’s right as a farmer and gender equality
questions in ecological farming, Role of seed producers, Review of organic farming
policy of Odisha, millets mission and Pradhanmantri Krishi Vima Yojana, Swami Nathan
commission, Relief code, PM insurance policy etc.
In Chitrakonda, Malkangiri 50 women volunteered and took leadership in regenerating
the forest by mass plantation activities of different indigenous species. Villagers
developed their Resource Map and Social Map on CFR and agriculture in 10 villages.
Boundary demarcation by community was carried out in 8 villages. People together
identified their traditional area of access, demarcated and set up several traditional
markers to denote their boundary and mapping of the forest for diversity and density
for conservation and regeneration of community forests.
The district level biodiversity festival on community rights was organized at Korkunda
block office in Malkangiri, where 150 farmers from 15 villages participated. It was also
a celebration of forest foods, forest life and forest cultures along with an assertion of
conservation and regeneration of forests.
A total of 359 families received individual forest rights in Sundargarh, Koraput,
Nuapada and Bargah districts of Odisha. In Bargarh district, community claims of 34
have been approved by DLC.
Campaign on FRA was organised which covered 567 remote villages in 12 blocks of
Kandhamal district. About 9763 people had attended the program. A total of 81 claims
have been submitted to SDLC, out of which 25 claims have been recommended to
DLC in 2019.
In case of agricultural land 56 applications have been submitted in different blocks by
Antaranga with an area of 480 acres. 20 applications have been granted with an area
of 23 acres. In Nuapada 38 community member received title for agriculture land
amounting to Acre 74.64 decimal.

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In Sundargarh district 11 homestead land titles, 81 in Kandhamal, in Nuapada,
homestead Land was allotted to 151 members for construction of house under
different schemes.
In Sundargarh district, women from Gidhpahadi, Jodakudar, Sahebdera are cultivating
vegetables, millet, ground nuts in a collective way. One collective in each of these
villages have totally used 1 acre 60 decimals of land for doing Kharif crops. 2 women
collectives from Rapatjore village are also doing agriculture to produce crops like Black
gram, Arhar, Groundnut in 2 acres of land during rainy session.
Seed and green boundary support for kitchen gardens was provided to 7 women group
covering 50 women farmers in various Gram panchayats in Malkangiri. The woman
farmers decided to grow variety of vegetable like Brinjal, Tomato, Chilli, Maize, Ladies-
finger, Onion, and Radish in organic way. A total 50 woman and 75 Children have been
benefited from this kitchen garden support.
In Koraput district 620 (485 male and 135 female) farmers participated, demonstrated
and shared their traditional agriculture seeds in the seed and food festival. After the
food festival 340 farmers (175 male and 165 female) have adopted and practicing
farming by using their own local and traditional seeds. Around 1100 Acres of land are
being cultivated through traditional farming and 20 numbers of traditional seeds are
being promoted. 90 famers were exchanged 14 numbers of their traditional seed
varieties during the festival.
In Kandhamal, Antaranga volunteers have taken the initiative to train 520 nos. women
farmers from seven blocks - G.Udayagiri, Tikabali, Daringbadi, Phiringia, Raikia, Balliguda
and Chakapad on sustainable agriculture- using indigenous cropping techniques, seeds
and manure rather chemicalized farming. As an outcome, at present 484 farmers are
practicing sustainable agriculture and covers an area of 412 acres. 492 farmers are
regularly cultivating the beans. Since 2016, the seed input was provided by Antaranga
and ActionAid Association. These farmers now have been taken it as commercial crop.
Each year, the farmers are earning Rs. 15,000/- to Rs. 25,000/- through growing beans.
In Nuapada with the facilitation of our ally SAI, village level meetings were organized
and the farmers were sensitized on organic farming and 9439 farmers are practicing
organic farming. Traditional paddy seeds were collected from “Desi Bihan Suraksha
Manch” and were distributed among the 336 farmers through 28 Seed banks.

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Tamil Nadu
Strengthening their 8 collectives 366 Dalit Women farmers were supported to reclaim
15.68 acres of agricultural lands in Vellore, Tiruvallur, Villupuram and Kanchipuram
districts.
With the support of ActionAid Italy, two bore wells and a solar powered water pump
have been installed in the collective farmlands in Pallur and Kaverirajapuram villages,
directly benefitting 120 Dalit women farmers from 3 workers’ collectives.
Due to the delay in monsoon rains 2 water storage tanks were dug in Pallur and
Marakkanam collective farmlands to harvest rainwater and use the water for irrigating
the lands. A total of 8 seed banks in Kumminipet, Kaverirajapuram, Ulliyambakkam,
Ganapathipuram, Koornavilasapuram, Pallur, Muttukadu and Marakkanam villages. The
seed banks are managed by a 10 members committee from among the women
farmers’ collectives.
A total of 365 homestead land claims of the Arunthathiyar community were submitted
to the district administrations in Madurai, Viruthunagar and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil
Nadu. So far 128 families have received homestead lands of 2 cents each in
Idayankulam, Kuppammal madam, Thottiyapatty and Mugavoor villages. The land titles
have been obtained predominantly in the names of the women in most families.
The Narikurava community is a semi-nomadic tribe in the state of Tamil Nadu. Through
continuous dialogue and engagement with concerned government authorities 25
Narikurava families have received homestead land pattas. This move will greatly
benefit in supporting the community to finally settle down and have a home for
themselves and their dependent families. Following the government’ ban on hunting
and collection of forest produce, the community was left with no other livelihood
option but to make a living by selling beads and handmade ornaments.
The continuous engagement with the administration helped in getting a cement road
for Arunthathiyar community in Saminathapuram village. In Ettakapatti and Mugavoor
villages, Sivakasi block written appeals were submitted to the District Collector
demanding separate graveyard for the Arunthathiyar community. Through regular
follow up the collector allocated land for separate graveyard directly benefitting 135
families from the Arunthathiyar community.
In order to realize a shift in power to the local committees and to ensure sustainability,
separate women and youth committees have been constituted in 35 villages in
Madurai and Viruthunagar districts. These committees would identify issues related to

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lack of basic civic facilities and submit appropriate written appeals to concerned
government authorities and undertake follow-up measures.
Punjab
In Punjab, ActionAid Association through its LRP intervention has been building
momentum within the community to participate collectively in the auction process of
common land. The process of collectivization of village level Dalit Women Domestic
Workers has been ensured in 30 villages on Mansa during the year 2019. One of the
purposes of the collectivization was to work out on a strategy on utilizing group
strength for common land auction. 53 domestic workers have been trained to
participate in the auction process in 2019.
An intense engagement with Punjab State Wakf Board was ensured to start a campaign
on the issue of Wakf land in Punjab. A series of meetings was organized with Mr. Junaid
Raza Khan- Chairman of the Punjab Waqf Board. It was agreed to map out wakf land
which can be further used for the community purpose as well as on the issue of Muslim
land rights in Punjab.
Himachal Pradesh
In Himachal Pradesh, the campaign for forest rights act strengthen in Chamba district
where awareness on FRA and claim application filling was done in 142 villages in 2019.
The state government have filled ‘Zero Claims’ certificates in Mandi, Chamba and
Kangra districts which was challenged by a number of activists including in Himachal
Pradesh. The activist under the banner of Himachal Van Adhikar Manch (HVAM) handed
over a submission demanding immediate review and action on the pending files and
most importantly a detailed and thorough training and awareness program for all
officials of the concerned line departments as well as for the Forest Rights Committees
of the entire state.
6 Community leaders from Chamba met with Deputy Speaker Sh. Hans Raj and chief
secretary of the forest department and discussed the problems being faced to file
claims under FRA. Further, the process of documentation has been completed for 6
new committees, in order to prepare them to file claims for Forest rights.
Assam
ActionAid Association in collaboration with the Focus on the Global South, SoSNE and
RLS-South Asia had organised a seminar on ‘Agriculture and Food Sovereignty:
Challenges and Opportunities in North East India. The nearly three decades of
neoliberal reforms pursued by the Indian state in its agricultural policies have resulted

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in a deep-seated farm crisis in the countryside. The seminar was organised in the
backdrop of this national scenario. This seminar looked into some of the major
concerns and themes around agriculture that were raised by the various participants
that included different peasant organisations, activists and civil society organisations
working in the region. Some of core agro-based areas covered were – Jhum and upland
agriculture; plantation economy in the NE – Rubber, Tea, Palm Oil; Fisheries - Inland;
Markets and impacts of Trade Agreements; and Conservation of agriculture.
A study has been carried out on understanding the “geo-morphology and soil
topography in Baska district of Assam with special reference to soil texture, riverbeds,
erosion, irrigation options, water bodies, water quality, groundwater levels, etc.”
The Gramya Gikas Mancha, in collaboration with the KVK organized World Soil Health
Day on 5th Dec.’19 in Baganpara and Tamulpur clusters under Baksa district where a
total 204 soil health cards were distributed to farmers after necessary testing. The LRP
has facilitated connectivity between the KVK and the farming communities. The KVK
has supported with red lentils seed for cash crop cultivation in 1 hectare of land.
In Nalbari and Baksa districts, Assam a total 15 women producer groups have been
formed consisting of 115 women members. These producer groups started with
promoting farm-based livelihood activities like cultivating Mustard, Red lentils,
Mushroom, and other seasonal vegetables, etc. in their respective villages. About 3
acres of land is covered under cultivation practised the producer groups.
Nagaland
In Nagaland after ensuring the protection of the National Intaki forest, we have been
sensitizing the communities on the importance of land and its identity rooted to the
land began its massive task to include women for its ownership, as protector and to
include women in the development works of the village.
Along with our partners , we have initiated awareness, training, campaigns, survey and
sensitization programs focusing in 10 villages intensively to induct women in the
decision-making body of the village where women can voice out for the rights and
justice of women.
Partnering with LFS and Govt. agencies, training and demonstration were provided on
sowing and taking care of pests with homemade pesticides. This program helped in
strengthening the alliance with the concerned department and the villagers and the
organization. After the training, seedlings (peas and grams) were distributed to the
communities to enhance their agriculture products.

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Andhra Pradesh
A total of 972 acres of government agricultural lands was identified which was
encroached by the landlords in four operational Mandals of Chittoor district, Andhra
Pradesh. A total of 448 landless poor Yanadi families, including 50 single women filed
applications for titles of 628 acres of identified land, and preparations are underway
to file petitions for the rest of the lands identified. This year a total 366 families,
including 198 women could access 499 acres of land. A total of 342 homeless families
including 68 single women applied for homestead land and a total of 91 families got
house plots and the remaining have been given an assurance that they too considered
soon.
In 6 villages the communities are not accessing common grazing land, including
hillocks. After the formation of village level association now the Dalit families have
started to take their cattle into these lands for grazing. The extent of these lands is
about 280 acres.
In 5 villages Dalit communities got the land allocated for burial ground after long
sustained efforts by the village level committees.
In Chittoor 68 members of fisheries cooperatives were provided training on book
keeping, auditing, lease norms and government schemes.
Telangana
In 21 villages of Turkapally, Yadadri district, Telangana various types of sustainable
agriculture practices are being followed and promoted in cultivating paddy, millets,
pulses, vegetables, etc. A total of 1070 farmers taken up this cultivation in 970 acres.
Besides, 140 farmers taken up fodder cultivation in around 60 acres of land.
In 20 villages, 27 farmer clubs have with a membership base of 389 farmers (249
women and 140 men) are having meetings on a regular basis and could avail
government schemes and motivate other farmers to take up sustainable agriculture.
During these meetings the members also discuss on Rythu Bandhu scheme and
importance of food crops.
87 farmers (71 men and 16 women) have undergone trainings on preparation of bio-
fertiliser making, exposure visits, and attended various types awareness programs in
relation to sustainable agriculture practices.
Community Seed banks were able to extend its support providing millet and pulses
seed including foxtail, finger millets, red gram, ragi, etc, to 146 farmers.

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In Nalgonda, with continuous state engagement 21 farm suicide families got the
sanction of Ex-gratia compensation. Out of these 3 families got the compensation ex-
gratia, followup continues for the remaining 18 families.
ActionAid Association and Pilupu has been supporting women farmers in cultivating
millets and improve the yield. As part of this intervention, also facilitated the training
of these women in preparing nutritious millet-based snacks, such as laddu and
muruku, and provided them marketing support. Besides, also brought out a booklet
containing recipes of various kinds of millet-based food items and widely disseminated
it. Encouraged by the positive response that the sale of these snacks received, a group
of women started Millets’ Tiffin Centre in Turkapally. Serving locally-popular and
nutritious snacks such as idli, dosa, upma, kichadi and bajji, the centre is running quite
well and doing a good business. (See also in women’s rights section)
Rajasthan
In Rajasthan 168 DNT/NT families received homestead land. Meeting with MP of Jaipur
was conducted for allotment of land for NT/DNT community.
Gujarat
Land mapping on different type of land available in 31 villages was done in Navsari
District of Gujarat. 82 women members were supported to get benefit of housing
scheme. 31 women farmers were helped to get compensation for the damage (washing
away of Land) due to natural calamities like floods.
In Navsari district, Gujarat 96 single women farmers were linked with Khet Vikas Kendra
(KVK) and were helped to receive seeds of Rice and Gram at reasonable rates. A total
of 11 women farmers were helped to get agriculture tools and plants at 50% charges
from KVK.
West Bengal
In Birbhum district of West Bengal, 1437 tribal households were found living without
record of their homestead land. Making a serious effort the submission of their
application for record of right of homestead land was ensured as per Land Reforms
Act. Followups are being made to get the claims.
In case of notified area of proposed coalfield, 527 tribal and non-tribal households
face threat of displacement in project and adjacent area. Engagement of the
community with concerned Revenue Inspectors of Gram Panchayats was facilitated
for speedy disposal of their land rights cases.

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Demonstration of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Zero Tillage techniques on
paddy cultivation among small and marginal farmers with specially women has helped
in crop planning practice. The process has been facilitated by office of the Assistant
Director of Agriculture (ADA) with necessary on field training and knowledge support.
Around 21 acres of land have been covered with Maize cultivation by women groups
at 12 villages, mushroom units have been developed at household level by 52 women
but mostly used for domestic consumption due to limited production and market
facility. As part of innovative practice for landless households, sack culture ginger
cultivation has been initiated in 3 villages with total 65 households. As low water is
required by the plant, only Rs. 15/- per sack unit has been spent on @20 to 25 units
per house. On an average 3 ½ kgs are produced in each sack. Along with that leafy
vegetables cultivated above sack culture to meet minimum nutritional requirements
of households.
Keeping in view high temperature and scarcity of water for irrigation, innovative
practices of multi-layer farming of vegetables have been demonstrated among 85
households for improved production at a time and income. This initiative has also
helped the household to access more nutrition components.
With collaborative support of MGNREGS, Horticulture Dept. and CSRA, 10 orchards
have been developed by women collectives with total 3890 mango, guava and other
fruit species.
Optimum use of land through nursery development and plantation of forest species
in convergence with MGNREGS and Forest Department have been done at 12 villages
of Bharkata and Charicha Gram Panchayats.
Aiming for optimum use of up, mid and low land effectively with change single to
double cropping system, along with seasonal paddy, pulses of different varieties have
been introduced across 26 villages with more than 400 small and marginal farmers.
Farm households are keeping at least 30% to 35% for domestic consumption, this is
additionally boost economic saving and improvement of nutrition at household level.
In Purba Medinipur, 1157 farmers of Contai-I, Contai-III and Khejuri-I Blocks have got
33 types of indigenous and perennial verities plants and seeds. 200 farmers of Contai-
I, Contai-III, and Khejuri-I Blocks have been supported 10 types of seeds such as
sunflower, Moong, and vegetables during Bulbul cyclone emergency response. It has
helped to preservation and promotion of indigenous seeds among the farmers of the
operational areas.

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
A total of 537 nutrition gardens have been initiated in the homestead land of 537
families of operational areas. Minimum 10 types of crops are included in their garden.
It has helped in increase nutritional status of family. 1049 households have promoted
vegetable cultivation by using sack method.
A total of 162 farmers have prepared 462 vermicompost pits and have produced on
an average one quintal per season and also used it in their agriculture fields. A total of
313 farmers have used organic manure and bacterial fertilizers such as TDV, PSB,
Vermi compost Neem cake etc. at their agriculture field regularly.
During the year 2019 total of 14 ecological clubs has been formed with 265 students
in 10 villages under this project against targeted 15 clubs with 300 students.
A total of 22 village-level orientation programs have been organized with 1136 farmers
on the procedures of formation of Farmers’ Interest Groups. As a result, a total of 91
(35 FIG and 56 FWG) has been formed with 1136 farmers (male 447 and female-689)
at Takashi, Heria and Lakhi Gram Panchayats of Purba Medinipur district.
Our strong engagement with block agriculture department and Comprehensive Areas
development Consortium (CADC) has helped 37 Farmer Interest Group/ Farming
Women’s Group (FWG) to access different services such as Seeds, Low cost Alzola Pit,
Low cost vermi compost and duckary etc. and also 1080 individual farmers have been
linked with the Government schemes and services such as Krishak Bandhu, Pradhan
Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), seeds, and bee keeping etc. beside this 8
FIG/FWGs has been formulated plan and submitted to the Assistant Director of
Agriculture and 3 FIGs have got approval from ADA and CADC.
In South 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal, 30 FIG were oriented phase wise about
the purpose, procedures, benefits of FPC, concept of share capital, importance of
business planning. In addition, they planned the ways to improve organic farming
practice at their level.
Total, 40 potential and interested farmers were provided with the input support
committed to develop seed bank to scale up the programme among the members.
They have supported Crunchy, Eggplant, turmeric, cilantro, cardamom, potato, ginger,
turquoise, clove, pumpkin seed and shoot from BMCDM.
10 ecological clubs were formed at 10 schools of Tambuldhaya I and II under Canning
II block. Total 200 students (Girls-100, Boys-100) were selected by the school teachers.
All the members, teachers and parents were oriented on ecological club and nutrition
garden and organic farming.

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
Uttar Pradesh
During the year 2019, we organized 5 consultations and 12 meetings on Land Rights
and its politics where the delegates deliberated on the issues of land, labor and
livelihood amidst aggressive privatization by the state and liberalization in the country.
We organized meetings on land rights with SC/ST community with special focus
towards land rights of single women.
ActionAid Association and partners have been instrumental in filing applications for
around 5400 people including joint land pattas, or titles, in the name of wife and
husband in Mahoba, Hamirpur, Kushinagar and Maharajganj and Lalitpur and out of
filled application, 384 families have got land for housing and agriculture.
Public meetings were organized and demands were submitted with regard to the
proposed amendment to the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006. Signature campaign
in Uttarakhand, 1022 people including men and women signed together in favour of
land for women. SDM issued Adhikar Patra in favour of 45 landless families converting
the Patta Bhoomi into Rajasva bhoomi in Uttarakhand. A total 50 Farmers participated
in land rights campaign in Uttarakhand.
Women farmers’ campaign was organised which covered 40 villages of Charkhari
block, Mahoba district, Uttar Pradesh. Around 1500 women participated to raise the
issue of land ownership and claim their identity of farmers. Land Management
Committee Resolution was made in the name of women in 34 revenue villages
following which a copy of the resolution of LMC application was submitted to DM. The
resolution and recommendation of Land management committees to provide
agriculture land entitlement is the first step towards realizing the women’s right to land
as farmers. A total of 447 applications of agriculture land entitlement of women were
submitted to DM. The District Magistrate assured full support to all women for the
allotment of land and possession of land. (repeated in Women’s right section)
Uttarakhand
The livelihood of most of the people depends upon the forest products in the hilly
areas of Pithoragarh villages. However, community find it difficult to access their rights
under FRA (Forest Rights Act). 3 meetings of “VAN ADHIKAR SAMITI” were organized in
the Raji villages and a memorandum was given to the SDM and Social Welfare
department of Dhar Chulla and Didihaat. It was demanded that a camp should be
organized in the villages of Raji tribes and their documents such as caste certificates,
Adhaar card should be prepared. The SDM gave the permission for the camp.
Subsequently, the forest department also drafted a digital Nazri map of Raji villages

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
and gave it to the Social Welfare department for the process to convert the villages in
the revenue villages. 33 individual claims have also been submitted to the sub
divisional committee of social welfare department. 11 families whose houses were
damaged due to landslides got the compensation of Rs 3800.
35 single women got the land transfer in their name after the death of their husband.
They started this process after participating in the land rights campaign and meetings.
Women farmers from 5 collectives were actively involved in the processing of spice
unit. 25 kg of dried ginger was grinded in the unit and sold in the local market at
Rs.220/- per kg. In the third quarter, Mattkhanna village cluster cooperative collected,
processed and sold ginger and turmeric and got a profit of Rs. 6500. The spice unit at
village Mattkhana, Dewal Dehat at Dharchula picked up pace. 5 women members took
the training to operate the spice grinding machine. The women farmer collectives are
being recognised by the government too. The Block development officer has promised
to extend support to the 2 spice units. After a long struggle the women farmers have
been able to get space in a government building for processing spice unit and
marketing.
63 women members from 11 village collectives raised saplings of vegetables like
brinjal, green chilli and Shimla mirch in quarter 1. In quarter 3, 81 women farmers from
16 villages harvested and sold seasonal vegetables. Long pumpkin / lauki 800 kg ,
chillies 208 kg , brinjal 75 kg , lady finger 71 kg , turai 54 kg and cucumber 27 kg . They
were able to get a net profit ranging between Rs.1000 to Rs. 2000/- per farmer.
The seed bank collected local seeds in their banks from 16 collectives (wheat 55 kg
and different lentils 68 kg). Women utilized / took seeds for sowing from the seed
bank (soyabean 22 kg, rice 50 kg, pumpkin 500 gm and lentil 8 kg). Women farmers
find the seed bank very useful as they are able to take the seeds at the right time.
Women farmers from 6 collectives have started plantation of paddy in places were
rainfall has started. 132 women farmers from 10 collectives, were linked with the
animal husbandry department from they were given 50 chicks for poultry farming. 40
women from 7 women farmer collective availed agriculture tools from the agriculture
department.
Maharashtra
ActionAid Association released ‘The Citizens’ Report on Drought in Maharashtra’ on the
20th of August 2019 in Mumbai. The report was released by Mr. Avinash Mahatekar,
Ex-Minister of State for Social Justice and Special Assistance, Maharashtra.

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Rural Housing survey was carried out in 127 villages from 6 districts i.e. Ahmednagar,
Osmanabad, Solapur, Aurangabad, Jalna and Buldana.
The Drought Risk Reduction programme focused on capacity building and water
conservation methods in Aurangabad district in 4 villages. De-siltation and streamlet
widening works were carried out in Khambgaon, Aurangpur and Sayyadpur villages,
with the support of Gram Panchayats.
Capacity building of 133 farmers was conducted on water conservation and
management through various programmes and exposure visits.
Wadi project was introduced in 12 villages to promote horticulture. A total of 45
farmers were selected for mango cultivation and 35 farmers were selected for the
custard apple cultivation. Around 75 farmers were trained on controlled use of
pesticides for farming and 35 farmers from 2 villages were trained on livestock-based
livelihood.
In Osmanabad district, Maharashtra, the Gairan land rights movement gained
momentum in 2019. This has resulted in restricting the undue interventions of Revenue
department. Around 5000 people benefitted from the movement in the whole district.
Grazing land holders produced 4500 quintals of grain from the land which costs Rs.
1.35 crore. A total of 675 Dalit Grazing land holders from 45 villages in the district filed
the land application with the government.
The Gairan Hakka Parishad was organized in Osmanabad, in which more than 1000
farmers from Bhum, Vashi, Kallam, Paranda, Tuljapur and Osmanabad blocks
participated and raised their issues and resolved to continue their movement.
In Solapur district, 13 villages filed claims for forest land. Applications have been filed
for around 500 hectares of land which is already under cultivation of the farmers.
Around 200 people participated in 3 capacity building programmes on Land, Housing
and Budget were conducted in Satara, Sangola and Kolhapur districts.
Around 100 families from VJNT communities of Urban area Sanjaynagar Sangola filed
applications for homestead land.
In Ahmadnagar district 3 CFR claims were submitted to the SDLC for a legal approval
by the villages namely Koltembhe, Palsunde and Kothale of Akola taluka. Further a
total of 72 IFR claimants were supported to file appeals. The forest area of 463.27
hectares was approved out of 2688.86 hectares for Gramsabhas of Ambit, Shirpunje
Khurd, Pachanai, Kumshet, Samrad and Fofasandi. Further appeals were facilitated for

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
the six villages to claim the remaining area. The Six Gramsabhas passed resolutions
and sent appeals to authorities for approval to CFR on entire claimed forest area.
An exposure visit was conducted to the villages named Legapani and Toranmal from
Nandurbar district during 27th - 29th December to understand the community
participatory forest management. CFR management plans have been undertaken for
the 15 villages who have got CFRs. Two cluster level trainings for CFRMC members
were conducted on 21st and 22nd June 2019. 83 IFR claimants including villagers
participated in the training.
Bihar
In Bihar a statewide yatra on land rights was organized that covered 23 districts of the
state and collectivised more than 50,000 people directly on the issue of land rights
and enactment of a law for governing the provisions under SCSP. The yatra was
initiated on 26th November, 2019 from Patna and continued till 04th December, 2019.
On 26th December 2019 a state level discussion was held at Bhartiya Nritya Kala
Mandir. Various leaders, representatives of community-based organizations, social
activists and volunteers participated with presence of downtrodden community as
well.
The minister of Bihar government Shyam Rajak and other representatives were part of
the state-wide discussion. The experiences of statewide campaign with focus on land
rights and SCSP were shared.
In a state level meeting in Patna, Bihar, more than 8,000 women and men belonging to
Dalit and other marginalized communities came together. This state-level public
meeting saw issues affecting Dalit communities being strongly raised, including
landlessness and the question of dignity.
The primary demand emerging from the meeting was the enactment of a strong
legislation on homestead land rights and ensuring at least 10 decimals of land for all
homeless Dalit households, with land ownership being in the name of women
members from these households. Their other major demands from the State included
the redistribution of ceiling surplus land and Bhoodan land; keeping an effective check
on the atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis and ensuring justice to victims through
speedy trials; and an effective legislation on the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and
the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) to ensure proper planning, adequate fund allocation and its
proper utilization in a transparent manner.
Subsequently, community leaders present at the meeting as well as representatives
from the various social networks collectively resolved to stay united in their efforts.
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 WATER COMMONS
India is suffering from the worst water crisis in its history and millions of lives and
livelihoods are under threat. Currently, 600 million Indians face high to extreme water
stress and about two lakh people die every year due to inadequate access to safe
water. The crisis is only going to get worse. ActionAid Association has been engaged in
generating awareness among the masses for water conservations and supporting
sustainable community models for water harvesting and conservation.

Major Advances
Encourage and promote Water Volunteers / Jal Sathi: Around 10,000 Jal Sathis have
been enrolled along different major rivers of the country - Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada
and Mahanadi (covering ten states – Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar-Jharkhand-West Bengal,
Odisha-Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh). ‘Jal Sathi’ programme
was launched in May 2018 at Varanasi on the bank of Ganga and now there are
volunteers at Varuna River too. Volunteers are engaged in creating awareness among
communities living on the bank of river Varuna, a tributary of Ganga on cleanness
drive.
Community initiative for water commons and developing learning materials for water
literacy: Jal Sathi educate people on riverbank and generate knowledge products / IEC
material and form people’s committees at different level and build up alliances among
communities for clean and save rivers. Understanding among people on water was
developed through discussion, learning materials and regular interaction. Different
need-based materials like posters, leaflets and booklets were developed and
distributed among people in different villages. Around 450 villages were taken up to
promote Jal Chaupal and Jal Manch in each village through regular meetings.
Fellows organised campaigns and water literacy programme during special occasions
like Ganga Avataran divas, Ganga Mahostav, Dev Deepawali, Kumbh Mela etc. These
were occasions when lakhs of people gathered on their own and Jal Sathis and fellows
had to only reach out to them with water literacy material and explain them the need
to keep water bodies free from pollution.
This year Kumbha mela was at Prayagraj - confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.
Water literacy programme was organised for three days. Water literacy material was
shared with them and had Jal Chaupal at places where people were resting after a dip,
explaining people importance of keeping Ganga clean.

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
On the occasion of Ganga Avataran Divas on 12th June 2019 a program at Haridwar
was organised to create awareness among more than 1000 people to keep Ganga river
clean, safe and protected.
Massive water literacy and awareness generation programme was organised on the
bank of Ganga at Varanasi on the occasion of Dev Deepavali.
Workshop on “Nature, River and our Future” with focus on Ganga was conducted in
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi by, Department of Sociology, and Mahamana
Malaviya Research Centre for Ganga, River Development and Water Resource
Management, BHU and ActionAid Association. Around 100 Jal Sathi, Students and
faculty members participated in this workshop and took oath to protect Ganga River.
National level launching of water commons campaign: Water commons campaign was
launched nationally in different states on occasion of World Environment month in
June 2019. This is a campaign to ensure rights of river and people’s right to river was
taken up through Nadi Adhikar Abhiyan, a platform of community living on riverbanks.
This has facilitated alliance on inter-state river water governance issues. Conflict
among upper and lower riparian communities has become common. Programmes
were organised on different river basins.
A day long motivation and awareness for Jal Sathi was organised in Raipur on 4th June,
2019. Total 40 participants participated in this programme. It was organised jointly by
ActionAid Association and Nadi Ghati Morcha Chhattisgarh. Mahanadi River study
findings were presented in this meet to bring synergy between people in Chhattisgarh
and Odisha on dispute arise between two states. People from all over Chhattisgarh
shared their problems and concerns for larger sharing. Each of them enrolled as Jal
Sathi and pledged to work for water conservation. They were awarded with certificate
to encourage them to work on water. Similarly, orientation programmes were organised
for Jal Sathis on 6th June 2019 in Sambalpur, Odisha. Around 45 youths, students and
volunteers participated. In another programme at Kannaprayag, more than 120
participants especially women from 10 women Sangathans, 20 villages, ten Panchayats
of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand participated. Certificates were provided to all the
water volunteers.
Orientation for Water Volunteers and National level planning and consultation on
water commons: Water Volunteers (Jal Sathi) are key players in protection and
conservation of water commons. They promote community action to map water
bodies in different locations including rivers and ponds and plan with people to protect
all those sources for water commons. A national level consultation and planning
meeting was organised to develop action and strategy on water commons. Colleagues
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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
from ActionAid Association and partners working on water were involved in this
national planning meet. Both meetings were organised from 6th to 8th of November at
Rishikesh with around 30 participants. Community members, tribal leaders, project
partners from 10 states (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat,
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) were
present.
Launching of Report – Depleting Water Increasing Demand
The report is based on the study of water commons in Arid zone of Gujarat and
Rajasthan by ActionAid Association and UJJAS. The study report was released by India’s
waterman Shri Rajendra Singh, who said Indian culture pay respect to water and women
equally. He appreciated the report and agreed with all the findings and
recommendations.
People in arid zone never wait for any miracle or outside intervention to happen on
water availability, rather over a period of time developed various structures and
systems of their own for water conservation so that each and every drop of rain water
gets saved. Every village has developed their system to conserve and manage water
equitable. The study samples include 5 districts, 15 blocks, 18 Gram Panchayats and
20 villages of Rajasthan and Gujarat state.
Study findings reveal that almost all the studied villages have access to tube wells or
motor pumps (on an average there are 2 motor pumps per village) during last ten to
twenty years and traditional water structures and sources are neglected and leaving
abandoned. This is a concern for sustainable water availability.
The study recommends protection and conservation of all water bodies build up over
centuries and use the traditional knowledge while planning for water so that people
have their own control over water. All plans and schemes related to water must be
based on traditional knowledge which has sustained for years. Women in particular
must be consulted for any planning on water.

State Level and Grounded Interventions

Karnataka
Bangalore, also known as the ‘Garden city’ of India, was dotted with numerous lakes. A
study headed by IISc’s Professor TV Ramachandra shares that of 105 Lake surveyed
only 4 lakes are in good condition and 90% of the lakes are polluted with sewage. The
decline in water bodies and quality of water in them has resulted in loss of aquatic life,

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
resulting loss of food and habitat features for birds which in turn has resulted in loss
of Biodiversity.
In Bangalore, we successfully engaged the 310 residents ( 71 children and 228 youth
volunteers) through various activities like Biodiversity education and volunteering
activities around the lake. The plantation of around 100 different species of fruit and
nectar bearing tree sapling was facilitated. We maintained growth of 150 tree saplings
planted in the earlier year. A survey was conducted on plants and shrubs in
Doddakallasandra Lake area and varieties of species and their uses were identified
and documented. Members of Residents Welfare Association around the Lake areas
have participated in the activities of Lake biodiversity conservation. They have been
active and vigilant and brought down efforts to make harm to the Lake and its
biodiversity individually and collectively.
As an output of series of surveys conducted over a period of two years 2018 and
2019 on tree, plants and shrubs, birds, and butterflies, altogether, 218 species were
identified in all the surveys conducted. The report also highlights – two species nearly
threatened species of birds at the Lake – Oriental Darter and Blackheaded Ibis, apart
from 11 migratory birds which visit the lake.
Biodiversity report of Doddakallasandra Lake was released in 2019. It garnered
appreciation for ActionAid Association’s efforts in Biodiversity Conservation. The
report will be submitted to Biodiversity Board-Bengaluru and Bruhat Bangalore
Mahanagara Palike for awareness building on biodiversity conservation and focus on
lakes as an opportunity to reduce biodiversity loss in Bengaluru.
Odisha
Water: Conservation through convergence; a community initiative from Sundargarh:
There was a constant scarcity of water in the hamlet villages like Lakipada and
Pannajore of Gidhpahadi revenue village in Balisankara block, Sundargarh district. This
was discussed with different authorities’ time and again. However, when it was not
being attended by anyone, the community members started dealing with in their own
way. With the facilitation of CIRTD (Centre For Integrated Rural Tribal Development) and
ActionAid Association, they mapped out 10 different water sources around them. They
also carried out physical verification of these sources. These were not perennial. The
villagers decided to construct small check dams through contribution of their labour
and time. Through traditional gram sabha they also resolved their plan for construction
of check dam in Lakipada and Pannajore. Their plan was to converge with government
scheme and hence they applied for MGNREGA work. Successfully it was linked to

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
MGNREGA. A total of 58 small check dams were constructed. These are now helping
these villagers in soil and water conservation.
Tamil Nadu
Enabling access to Water and Commons for the most marginalized communities
The Arunthathiyar communities in Mookarnatham, Mamsapuram, Nallamanaickenpatti,
Mugavoor, Saminathapuram and Ettakapatti villages in Viruthunagar district lacked
access to basic civic facilities such as drinking water, road facilities, streetlights,
graveyard and public toilets. Through the interventions of ActionAid Association and
Nilam Trust, continuous written appeals were submitted to the Block Development
Officer (BDO), revenue department and the District collector. Through continuous
engagement on 5th September 2019, based on the directions of the District Collector
of Viruthunagar, the BDO sanctioned the amount to dig bore well and install motor
pump for supplying drinking water to over 102 Arunthathiyar families in
Nallamanaickenpatti village.
Installation of Bore wells in the Collective Farmlands
This year with the support of ActionAid Italy, 2 bore wells were installed in the
Collective farmlands in Pallur and Kaverirajapuram village. Through this initiative 120
women farmers are now able to irrigate the collective farmlands in the village. Among
these women, 11 of them were liberated from the evil Mathamma practice prevalent
in Tiruvallur district (wherein young girls are offered as brides to Hindu deities and
made to dance during temple festivals; these women face various forms of physical
abuse by the temple priests and caste Hindu communities and live a life of solitude
as unwed mothers).
Jharkhand and Odisha
Renovation of a total of 11 traditional water harvesting structures was undertaken as
part of the initiative to develop drought-resilience among communities – six in
Deogarh, Jharkhand and five in Nuapada, Odisha. Furthermore, through water literacy
programmes, street plays and wall paintings, efforts were made towards orienting
communities on climate change, drought and the need for water conservation and
environmental sustainability, and the various ways to do it. Through the formation of
village-level Jal Sathi committees and renovation committees, community participation
was ensured in all processes, including on how to execute the various activities and
their overall implementation. As a result of this initiative, the impact of drought in the
intervention villages has been brought under control to a large extent. Rainwater
conservation in the revived water harvesting structures has led to groundwater
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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
recharge. You would be pleased to learn that irrigation facilities have been created for
nearly 250 acres of land in Jharkhand and 155 acres in Odisha.
North India Region
In Punjab, a meeting with Minister for Water and Sanitation, Govt of Punjab was
organised to initiate state-wide campaign on Water and Sanitation. The minister agreed
to support ActionAid Association. Water profiling of villages was initiated in Mansa
district to understand the issue of drinking water with respect to the accessibility of
Dalits and women domestic workers. 10 village profiling was completed in 2019 where
it was visible that Dalits and rural women have to suffer most from the polluted drinking
water.
A weeklong Campaign for safe drinking water was organized that covered more than
15 villages of Budrala Block, Mansa, Punjab. Tests were conducted tests with easily
available technology to understand the presence of water contamination was done
with support of easily available technology. People shared that; however, they know
that they are drinking contaminated water but they do not have option as purified
water was not affordable. However, Govt. has installed water purification machines in
some villages, but they are either very far from Dalit communities or not functional. At
the end of campaign, people demanded for safe drinking and presented Jal Vibhag of
Mansa district, Punjab.
ActionAid Association had identified 5 ponds in 2 villages of Noida, Uttar Pradesh that
needed rejuvenation. The Pond rejuvenation work has been initiated where 5 ponds
covering an area of 14930 sq. meters have been planned to be desilted to increase
the water retention capacity. Cleaning the surrounded area up to 50 meters, and
plantation of over 2000 plants would be done in the surrounding area. Water user
groups have been formed in both the villages which include 47 members.
Creating Models for Clean and Green Delhi NCT
In Delhi, a campaign and focused intervention water and sanitation rights initiated, 500
women has been trained and collectivized as WATSAN group member. The WATSAN
group member has developed 10 model areas in Delhi where issues of Water and
Sanitation became a community concern. The WATSN members have reached out
over 50000 people ensuring a change in the behaviours of the community. Plastic bags
pollute our land and water. One of the change reported was the control of uses of
plastic bags and were able to complete our goal by controlling 8,40,000 plastic bag
uses within the community. To deal with the pollution in Delhi, our community
ambassadors along with volunteers conducted plantation drive and planted 5000

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
plants in the selected 10 areas. This helped in increasing the oxygen level in the
surrounding as 5000 trees generate 1,300,000 pound of oxygen in a year. To create
awareness among people plants sampling were distributed to various people to
contribute in the initiative to keep "Delhi Green and Clean".
Campaign against single use of plastic was organized on 2nd October 2019 to reduce
environmental pollution. More than 500 children who engage as Paryavaran Volunteers
from 10 green centres of Delhi and 5000 women (WATSAN members) participated and
play important role in making environment clean in different resettlement colonies of
Delhi.
Manipur
Towards promoting wetland for the future generation, PRDA in Manipur observed the
International Wetland Day on the very day of the launch of Langolsabi Floating
Elementary School on 2nd February 2019 on the theme ‘Wetland for a Sustainable
Urban Future’. It was organised in association with ALLAFUM, Wetland Authority - Govt.
of India, and other local members of CSO network. The programme was attained by
30 women, 66 men, and invitees. The programme discussed the environmental effects
in Manipur with the focus to Loktak and strategies towards conservancy of wetland
areas.
The Loktak Basin Eco-System (Save Loktak Lake Collective), observed the World
Environment Day at Thinungei Community hall with ALLAFUM and Loktak Fisherman
Union, Thinungei on 5th June 2019. The local MP was guest of honour for the
programme. The discussions included the important role played by the lake in
maintaining the local weather how humans waste is polluting the environment due to
certain developments like deforestation, infrastructure, and global warming too.
In Manipur, in consultation with the Fishery department water quality testing of 8
community ponds from 4 villages was conducted to assess the quality of water in
ponds which are used for drinking water. The test reports have come out as normal to
use for drinking water purposes.
Assam
Towards collectivisation of small farmers with backyard fisheries as a source income
generation, our ally GVM organised advance training of scientific rearing of native fishes
in Tamulpur cluster in Baksa district. A total of 51 participants from two villages joined
the training. This training has created a platform for the LRP to further strengthen the
fish farmers collective and their backyard fisheries into a more community income
generation venture.
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Telangana
In Nalgonda, Telangana 6 irrigation tanks and canals which were partly encroached by
the big farmers were evicted with collective interventions of the collective intervention;
along with this, 6 of a total of 12 irrigation tanks’ repairing works was initiated in the
operational villages, so that the villages have improved access to water. In another 9
villages, the farmers could take up Jal Samrakshana (save water) and Harithaharam
(plantation) programs successfully.
West Bengal
Purba Medinipur/South 24 Parganas: CAMPAIGNS: Several marches and padayatras
have been organised for rejuvenation of Buri Ganga, a channel flowing by the side of
Chakdaha town in Nadia district. Demands have been raised by the local activists
connected to Sabuj Mancha to clean Buriganga. The issue has been referred to the
local MP as well as Irrigation and Waterways Department.
There was an important initiative in North Bengal in which DISHA collaborated with
Sabuj Mancha and Siliguri Poribesh Bachao Mancha to hold a convention to highlight
the issues of rivers and water bodies of North Bengal. The convention was attended
by river activists and environmentalists from all the districts of North Bengal.
For rejuvenation of Vidyadhari River in North 24 Parganas, DISHA organised delegation
of fish workers, civil society groups like Sabuj Mancha, (Platform of 64 environmental
groups) and Panchayat authorities with WBPCB authority.
Fisher Rights in Sundarban has been given priority consistently. The government was
asked the justification of issuing only 923 Boat License Certificates (BLC). It was raised
again and again that some of them has become defunct and others are being rented
at a huge cost in illegal manner. The Forest Department has been asked to allow all
the original fishers on the basis of permits issued in last 5 years so that the original
fishers can exercise the right to fish in Sundarban. Protests have been raised in the
range offices throughout the year and consultation was held in December with Field
Director, Sundarban Tiger Reserve in Canning. The issues of atrocities, confiscation of
fish and equipment without issuing any memo, harassing to return the confiscated fine,
charging heavy fine in multiple occasions in the same trips were raised.
Registration of Manual Boats of Marine Sector –A mass gathering was organized at the
office of ADF Marine in Diamond Harbour. Later a meeting was held with Minister of
Fisheries and other officers of Fisheries Department in Kolkata on 5th September.
Decision was taken to open registration of manual boats till 31st October (later revised

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as 31st December). It was a notable achievement that more than 550 boats got
registration.
Uttar Pradesh
In Pithoragarh, 9 Dalit hamlets out of 33 project intervention villages of partner
organization Arpan. The issue of scarcity of water in these localities was taken up and
community submitted the application to resolve the issue to the Chief Development
Officer Ms. Vandana Singh. As a result, the water revival work started in the four villages
i.e. Dungatoli, Kimkhola, Balmara, and Sangaltar and 4 water tanks have been prepared
in these villages under MNREGA. The women groups are doing follow-up for rest of the
villages.
ActionAid Association took initiatives to raise awareness on water literacy at all levels
of society. The main objective of the campaign was to generate awareness on water
literacy, rejuvenation, and protection of water bodies. In addition to it, it was also
focused to change citizen attitudes and behaviour to ensure efficient use of water and
zero wastage. ActionAid Association along with people’s organizations, activists, and
academicians of Bundelkhand region came together and discussed about the current
situation of drought in the region. The joint discussion resulted in developing collective
strategies, responses to reduce the impact of water crises in the region. Civil Society
Organizations decided to launch a campaign for water conservation, protection, and
rejuvenation of water bodies. The campaign was named as Bundelkhand Jal
Swavalamban Abhiyan which ran from 27th May to 10th July 2019.
The major activities conducted under Bundelkhand Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan:
Mapping and physical verification of all water bodies
Mapping and physical verification of all water structures of 121 distress villages were
made in all the 7 districts of Bundelkhand. Public water systems and structures such
as small (Talaiya) Ponds, Wells, Hand pumps, Farm Ponds, Check dam and tube well
were included in the mapping. The community proactively conducted the mapping and
verification of water structures in the villages. Of total 1345 water structures were
identified for rejuvenation and protection.
Water literacy campaigns were organized in the affected villages of all the 7 districts
to spread awareness on water conservation and rejuvenation. Through water literacy
campaigns, the community was made aware of identifying potential water savings and
use of traditional methods to protect, rejuvenate and save water. The campaign
focused to promote mixed farming, sowing and harvesting of low water intensive crops.

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Water audit was also conducted in the villages to assess the impact of drought,
requirement of drinking water, livestock, agriculture and ground water sources.
A memorandum was prepared specifying the water structures need to be rejuvenated
and to be repaired. During the campaigns 121 villages of 7 districts were covered
reaching out to 24176 families.
Water volunteers were also mobilized to take the campaign interventions ahead. The
volunteers were trained on various aspects of water literacy, mapping of water sources,
water audits, and conservation and rejuvenation methods. A total of 605 volunteers
led the campaign and accomplished this strenuous task. Furthermore, the volunteers
played pivotal role in sensitizing the affected communities regarding water
conservation and rejuvenation.
During period of crises majority of population migrate to other cities and towns in
search of work and employment. Therefore, the community demanded work under
MGNREGS. More than 3126 people filed applications for work under MGNREGS in 121
villages of 7 districts.
Interface meetings were organized with block level officials in order to raise demand
for water conservation, protection and rejuvenation of water structures. During the
interface meeting the community submitted their demand for work under MGNREGS,
repairing and rejuvenation of water sources. District level public hearings were
organized in 7 districts and for rejuvenation of Talab, Pokhar, Talaiya, Nala, Check dam
memorandum was submitted to each district administration.
Jan Samvad was organized at Jhansi and Mahoba district to address the grim situation
of drought in Bundelkhand region. Activists, academicians, community and CSOs
working on water conservation and rejuvenation were present in the interaction
meeting. Honorable Minister of State Mr. Hargovind Kushwaha also shared his thoughts
as the Chief Guest and said that conservation of water is the core agenda and the
government would take necessary actions to provide relief to the people and cattle.
As a result of continuous efforts and engagement, the Government of Uttar Pradesh
has announced Rs. 130.20 crore rupees for rejuvenation and construction of ponds.
Construction of check dams have been prioritized in Bundelkhand package
implemented by Uttar Pradesh government.
Rejuvenation of 32 village ponds has started in the 29 villages under MGNREGS after
our demands at the village and district level. 720 workers have got work under
MGNREGS in 29 villages of 6 districts.

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A total of 276 hand pumps have been repaired; three big check dams have been
repaired. Around 50 wells have been cleaned and rejuvenated. The binding of 50
agriculture fields has started and 8 water canals have been cleaned and rejuvenated.
As a result of state engagement, now in all the districts the administration has take-up
the water conservation work on priority and issued instruction to officials to organize
‘’Rattri Chaupal’’ in each village and block level meeting to address the demands of the
villages. Water conservation work has been started with the support of minor irrigation,
Panchayat and MNREGA departments.

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 WORLD OF WORK
Labour and Livelihoods Rights with Focus on Women and the
World of Work
The worlds of work for majorities of Indians is full of fragility and vulnerability. Ever-
increasing flexibilities in the labour markets push workers into further vulnerabilities
regarding wages, “working conditions” and “bargaining ability”. The vast majorities of
our workers in India, over 93% of them, fall in the category of the “informal sector” –
with no regularity of wages and social securities. Women make a disproportionately
large segment of the informal sector. While all women work, the gender division of
labour has limited their access to lower rungs of labour market confining them to
unpaid or underpaid and insecure jobs and work conditions. The long hours of work
done by women in sectors such as agriculture, home based work, domestic help and
care work is not considered as work as these are not covered by labour laws which
regulate work, wage and working conditions.

Major Advances
ActionAid Association is working with women across the spectrum of work, such as
domestic workers, street vendors, bidi workers, home-based workers, construction
workers, garment workers, agricultural workers, waste pickers, fisher workers, etc., to
understand and assess gender-based inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by them,
especially those related to violence and access to resources.
In 2019, we successfully concluded the European Commission supported project
engaging with people dependent on the informal economy. Through the project we
were able to engage with 1,86,601 workers. 896 collectives with a total membership
of 43,910 were formed (26,571 women and 17,339 men). A total of 30,242 peoples
were trained of whom 25,192 (83%) were women and 63% (19,161) in the age group
18 to 30.
The Executive Director, ActionAid Association, was re-elected Co-Chair of the World
Urban Campaign Steering Committee for second term during the tenth session of the
World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi. He has been actively contributing towards
developing a new meaningful vision for our urban future and providing the required
leadership for delivering the New Urban Agenda. The theme for the forum was to work
towards achieving resilient, sustainable urban communities by engaging partners from
public, private, and social sectors worldwide

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
Domestic Worker Policy Legislation: ActionAid Association with its allies pushed for
policy legislation for Domestic workers and submitted recommendations for National
Policy for Domestic Workers to NHRC to be given to Ministry of Labour and
Employment. A series of state level consultations with partners, other stake holders
including civil society representatives across states were organized for the same.
We also worked closely with the NHRC on domestic workers’ issues. We also compiled
with inputs from domestic workers collectives from 14 states and submitted
recommendations to NHRC.
Inputs on Labour Codes
We organised a series of consultations across various States with a number of
organisations and individuals who analyzed the proposed bill on the Wage Code and
Occupational Health and Safety Code and Social Security Bill with a gender lens and
developed our propositions and shared the same with 48 people’s representatives
across all formations. Our inputs were appreciated by the standing parliamentary
committee on Labour issues and were used by MPs in their responses in the
parliament session.
Policy for Inland Fishers
Inland Fisher Folk National platform has been set up with ActionAid Association
support. The draft of a policy and programme for fisher folks has been initiated which
is in nascent stage.
Research/Studies
ActionAid Association, commissioned a research with support of Impact and Policy
Research Institute, Delhi to extend the knowledge base to “improve the access to
affordable housing and the living conditions of the 26-37 million Indian households
that live in urban informal settlements”. IMPRI conducted the study in Ranchi and Delhi.
This is done through conducted an extensive secondary literature review of the
affordable housing conditions for the urban poor and conducted 171 primary survey
with questionnaire in both the cities.
Research and Analysis done on informal Labour
• Workers on the Move
Exploring issues related to circular migration and labour market dynamics in
India.
• Social Security for Unorganised Workers in India

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 • Building Collectives to Secure Rights & Access Entitlements
A review of engagement with construction workers across six States in India
• Ensuring Decent Work and Dignity
A review of engagement with domestic workers across seven States of India
• Enhancing Livelihoods, Building Collectives
A review of engagement with street vendors across eight cities of India
Discussion on improving conditions of work and living for circular migrants in India
ActionAid Association with support of Workers Solidarity Network (WSN) (created by
ActionAid Association) organized a three-day roundtable conference towards
deepening the discourse on circular migration and labour market dynamics in India by
bringing together key stakeholders who have been working on issues of labour. The
roundtable marked a successful step towards bridging the gap between academicians
and practitioners.
Setting up a Centre of Excellence in Urban Management Hyderabad
ActionAid Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding towards setting up a
Centre of Excellence in Urban Management in the IPE, Hyderabad. Under this MoU, a
post-graduate diploma course on urban management will be designed and run,
besides an advanced leadership course on urban development for municipal and
government officials.
Women Wage Watch Groups: Initiated grounded work with formation of state wage
watch women groups across 12 states to document and help in all matters pertaining
to wage violation, labour laws violation and harassment at workplace etc.
Informal Women Workers’ Charter: With a view to setting out an agenda for change
for women workers in the informal economy, ActionAid Association recently brought
out ‘The Charter of Women Workers: An Agenda for Change for Women in the Informal
Economy’. Emerging through consultations with women workers across a range of
occupations and from several states, this publication presents the key issues needing
resolution for informal women workers, besides laying out an agenda for change that
should be included in the Code on Wages, 2019, the draft Code on Social Security,
2019 and the draft Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions,
2018.
Study on Women Workers in the Informal Sector workers was carried out through the
Wage Watch Platform , We reached out to 1500 cases of wage and working condition
violation of women workers involved in agricultural works, domestic work, manual

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
scavenging, sanitary work, saltpan work, selling fish, daily wage labourers, etc. and
analysed and documented 1000 cases and prepared a report which will be our basis
for future campaign on the asks of Women Workers.
The Informal Women Workers’ Speak Out
Bebak Kamgaar | Fearless Worker: A campaign for safe and dignified workspaces: on
the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Bebak Kamgaar | Fearless Worker
Campaign was initiated across states with the aim to cover 137+ districts to address
the gaps in the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013. RTIs were filled in these
districts on POSH but before we get the reply lockdown was announced.
Communication and Media Engagement
Tweetathon: We organized, a social media campaign called #MainBhiSharmik on 1st
May 2019, generating discussions both on the ground and in spaces outside on women
and wages.
On International Women’s Day (March 8), ActionAid Association launched a social
media campaign, titled #YourWorkMyWork to raise the visibility of women in the
various spheres of work and capturing the issues that women would like to raise.
Women from various communities came out and shared their concerns and issues on
social media.
Video: On eve of Independence Day, we with support of communication team released
a video titled ‘’What Freedom means in the World of Work” which highlighted issues
of women workers across sectors and states.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZpuluEfhOtGURjDpIy4UxvRlujbXrwIW/view?usp=shar
ing
Article: on how wage code and Health and occupational Safety code will be enforced
in the interest of a domestic worker https://www.newsclick.in/Domestic-Workers-New-
Labour-Code-Labour-Rights
State Level and Grounded Interventions
Workers Facilitation Centre
ActionAid Association continued work related to Worker Facilitation Centre in Bodh
Gaya, Bihar and set up new Migration Support Centre in 7 destination Cities –
Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore and Delhi with a view
to provide support services to vulnerable labours, migrants and their families. We have
supported around 16560 migrant informal sector Workers through these centres
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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
Over 500 migrants’ workers from Bihar supported by the Migration Support centre in
New Delhi
ActionAid Association with its local partner-sSTEP conducted a survey of Bihari migrant
workers in Guwahati city and collected data of 134 migrant workers' data for
coordination with the Labour Department, Govt. of Bihar.
In UP a study circle started to spread awareness about labour registration, government
schemes, about migrant facilitation centre and also organized health camp in the
Migrant Facilitation Centre with Lady Doctors for women and girls’ health issues and
around 175 labourers from various locations attended the camp, in which 65 were
female.
Labour Code Awareness Campaign
ActionAid Association had organised a series of meetings with organisations working
with labours especially informal labours and drafted suggestions which was submitted
to the respective committees on the drafted codes, it has also advocated with policy
makers to incorporate suggested suggestions.
ActionAid Association North India Regional Office is directly working with more than a
lakh informal worker (Construction workers, Garment Workers, Casual and Contract
Factory worker, Street Vendors, Domestic Workers, Agriculture Workers, and Rag
Pickers etc),
We focused on building cross sectoral alliances of workers, a meeting was organized
as “Shramik Sammelan” on – Labour viewpoints on Government Initiatives on “Labour
Code and Delhi’s New Master Plan. A total of 305 workers put their views on new
labour code and Delhi’s master plan for 2041.
In UP two days consultation meet was organised to discuss on new wage code and
social security code in Lucknow. People from 25 districts of UP participated in the
meet which includes civil societies, leaders of various occupational groups and social
activists. Detailed discussion was done on the impact of changes in the laws on the
worker In Uttar Pradesh, a toll-free number has been provided to the unorganized
sector workers to address various issues faced by them at workplace
The survey in eight districts, Hamirpur, Jaunpur, Kushinagar, Lucknow, Mahoba,
Maharajganj, Muzaffarnagar and Shamli was conducted in Uttar Pradesh and total 44
case studies (31 female) were collected to highlight the ground reality of the changes
done in the labour laws and awareness among the community.

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In Bhubaneshwar strengthen the Mancha of unorganised labourers consisting of 11000
members the purpose of linkages new unorganised workers under social security
provision, inclusion of new members, renewal of labour cards, inclusion of street
hawkers in vending Zone shops, helping slum poor’s at disaster time, rehabilitation of
slum dwellers before slum evacuation.
In Rajasthan ActionAid Association with Kachi Basti Mahasangh, Rajasthan Mahila
Kaamgar Union, Rajasthan Nirman and General Mazdur Union, Ghumantu Shajha
Manch, Auto and E-rickshaw Union organized a public meeting in Jaipur to highlight
multiple cases of violation of the rights of workers in Jaipur and across Rajasthan.
Recommendations like the regulation of employment conditions, registration of both
employers and workers and social security measures for domestic workers were made
to the Chief Minister and Labour Minister of Rajasthan
Domestic workers: ActionAid Association with its allies joined the efforts of domestic
workers in different parts of the country to highlight their issues and helped them in
asserting their demands on measures like fixing of minimum wages, safe working
condition, setting up of Welfare Board for securing social protection etc. across the
states. Around 50000 Domestic workers/organisations/mass organisations came
together to strategize action plan and campaigned demanding wage and work
regulation.
In Delhi, ActionAid Association pushed the state govt to recognize the domestic
workers and ensure minimum wages. In Punjab we collaborated with RHDC to facilitate
a Rural Domestic Workers District Platform in Mansa District with more than 600
members.
In Punjab 180 Rural Domestic Workers have been sanctioned ID proof as Domestic
Workers by department of Labour, Govt. of Punjab under “Unorganised Workers Social
Security Act, 2008”.
In Madhya Pradesh, we facilitated “Gharalu Kamgar Samhoo” in 3 cities of Indore,
Bhopal, and Jabalpur with around 800 members, who paid Rs.70/- yearly membership
fee.
In West Bengal, collective of Domestic workers Paschim Bango Griho Paricharika
Samity (PGPS) strengthened with 8864 members from seven districts. Across these 7
districts a district level domestic workers’ committee formed.
In a state level convention of domestic workers, the women submitted their demands
on minimum wages, registration, social security, and safe workplace to Labour
Commissioner and they were assured that the state will be working towards
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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
formulation of a domestic workers’ policy soon. The Labour Commissioner further gave
positive indication about inclusion of the domestic worker in the wage schedule. In
West Bengal, Domestic workers collective introduced employer agreement and was
able to recover their bonus of Rs. 2,16000/ for 2000 workers after negotiation with the
employers. A total of 880 domestic workers were linked with state supported skill
building programs and received certificates. Another 664 workers enlisted in the State
Assisted Provident Fund Scheme. 200 employers mobilized and negotiated for weekly
holidays and special leave and working hours.
In Uttar Pradesh Gharelu Kamgar Sangathan” filed the relevant papers for their
sangathan to be registered as a union. The sangathans are engaging with larger state
networks and forums for informal workers for ensuring their rights.
Bonded labour
ActionAid Association has been addressing the issue of bonded labour, including
modern forms of slavery issues in 6 States Punjab, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
Madhya and Uttar Pradesh with the focus on the rescue and rehabilitation, and the
prevention of vulnerable demographics (PBL), from becoming trapped within the
exploitative cycle of bonded labour and forced labour. In 2019, 20901 workers were
mobilised through 113 CBOs in 6 states and 199 bonded labours have been rescued
and rehabilitated.
Apart from these 6 states, 91 persons (men, women, and children) of 24 families were
rescued from brick kilns in two locations of Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir
In Punjab with support of Dalit Dasta Virodhi Andolan, campaigned against bonded
labour. This campaign named “Azad Mazdoor, Puri Mazdoori’ reached out to about
7299 bonded labourers across 117 villages of Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Tarn Taran
districts. A note was submitted to the Government of Punjab through the district
administrations, highlighting major issues needing immediate attention in cases of
bonded labour. A total of 54 bonded labourers were rescued from a construction site
in Tarn Taran. We also formed 2 collectives with 36 members in 2019 of potential and
freed bonded labour.
In Tamil Nadu, 6 bonded labourers were rescued, 4 of whom have been repatriated
to their home community and 309 potential bonded labourers are identified in the
coconut farms and coir mills in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts and formed 6 CBOs.
In Karnataka, we mobilized 2212 workers in the Kodagu district and identified 1600
workers in the coffee estates of the district currently in bondage conditions. We
formed 16 CBOs among these workers.

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In Uttar Pradesh, we mobilized 8612 workers in 59 villages of 3 districts and rescued
17 bonded labourers from Pune, all of whom have received release certificates and
have been repatriated to their home communities. We have formed 76 CBOs across
3 districts of UP i.e. Khushi Nagar, Maharaj Ganj and Jaunpur, with 5612 members in
these.
In Gujarat, we mobilised 1688 workers and rescued 94 bonded labourers, all of whom
have been repatriated and release certificate has been given to them. Also formed 8
new CBOs with potential bonded labours.
In Madhya Pradesh we mobilised 727 workers across 27 villages of Raison district
Garment Workers
We have been working towards securing a living wage and decent work for female
garment workers in Delhi and Chennai. During the year we reached out to 6000
informal workers to create awareness and capacity building. In total 42 collectives of
garment workers and home-based workers have been formed with total 1700
members in both the cities. (Delhi 1179 garment workers and 521 garment workers in
Madurai district.
In Delhi, decent working conditions for workers have been ensured in 39 factories
where drinking water, clean toilet, and one-hour daily rest facilities have started and
total of 450 workers are benefitting. 1 factory has started giving paid Sunday leave and
3 factories have set up Sexual harassment committee with our interventions.
Construction Workers
Registration camps for construction workers were organized with support from our
allies and labour department across the states to inform workers on registration
process and existing benefits of it so the workers could access social security benefits.
More than 1 lakh labourers are mobilised and registered under Building & Other
Construction Workers Welfare Board
In UP, 7560 construction workers got registered in 6 districts in which 3550 are female
workers. In Shamli 5 cases were facilitated under the “Mrityu anteshti” Scheme, meant
to deliver sum of 5 Lakh to the family of a deceased labour in case of accident at work
or home.
In Bhubaneswar 1000 construction workers both male and female bargain with their
contractors for equal and decent wage.

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MGNREGA Workers
ActionAid Association facilitated work with MGNREGA workers and reached around
15,536 workers in Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Punjab, Himachal, Hyderabad, Jaipur,
Lucknow, Patna, and Haryana and facilitated them to submit their work demand, getting
their wages on time etc. We also facilitated a State level initiative of MGNREGA Women
workers in Haryana called MGNREGA Mazdor Ekta Manch-
As part of the Kaam Mango Abhiyan in Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal, we have
mobilized 8500 MGNREGA workers to file application of work demand to their block
development officers. 2700 workers have been facilitated to get work under the
MGNREGA
Fish workers
in Manipur, a day-long training of fish farmers on paddy-cum-pisciculture was
organized. A total of 25 participants from 5 villages practising fishing as a means of
livelihood had attended the training. The discussions were built around access to new
technology for the rearing of indigenous fishes in their ponds. A day-long consultation
on the state Fishery policy was held in consultation with the local KVK of Bishenpur,
Fishery and Agriculture Department – GoM, Forest Deptt., Loktak Development
Authority, and 30 other stakeholders from different sectors.
In the villages of Tuticorin district, (Mudukkukadu, Rajapandi Nagar, Sathya Nagar,
Keelavaipar, SV Puram, Kalloorani and Veeranayakkanthattu) TamilNadu the wages of
saltpan workers have been raised from Rs. 280 to Rs. 330 for women workers and
from Rs. 290 to 340 to men workers.
Dakshinbanga Matshyajibi Forum (DMF) with membership of around 15,000 has spread
in 8 districts of South Bengal and 3 districts of North Bengal. State level women fish
workers’ organization is formed and series of meetings, of the women fish workers
were held at various levels to discuss their issues. Fish workers CBOs fight against
eviction and other facilities in the market of Pichaboni , Satmile and Balighai In South
24 Parganas/Purba Medinipur.
Women Sanitary Workers and Manual Scavengers
ActionAid Association with partner Nilam Trust facilitated the formation of 11 women
workers’ collectives (with over 25 workers in each collective) in Mamsapuram,
Mugavoor and Thottiyapatty, Ayyanarpuram villages in Madurai and Viruthunagar
districts and 270 manual scavengers and sanitary workers have been collectivized and

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Draft Annual Report 2019-20
strengthened. As a result, this year 17 women sanitary workers have taken up self-
employment opportunities in phenol making.
Coffee Plantation Workers
In Kodagu, ActionAid Association supported workers to form a union namely,
Budakattu Karmikara Sanghatane. They voiced for the land, housing, and basic
entitlement rights and a total of 754 housing site applications submitted to Panchayats.
Panchayats have identified 23.67acres of land to provide for Housing site and have
handed over all relevant documents to the Tahsildar for further process. In
Kedamalluru village DC provided land for 40 families. Also, the BKS taskforce members
urged the ITDP officials to sanction the subsidy grant of 4.5lakhs of rupees for the
housing entitlements for each family. This order is in progression.
In Chikkamagaluru Coffee plantation mobilised 215 workers and formed a collective
as Karmikara Niveshanarahithara Sangha to intensified struggles for housing sites.
In West Bengal, Chai Bagan Bachao Committee (CBBC) a platform of workers across
tea gardens comprised of a total membership of 200 members, has been the
successful in reopening of 7 tea gardens including Duncan. Now the tea worker families
are getting rations under the government sponsored Antyodaya Anna Yojana, which
helped to control hunger and starvation deaths, and got drinking pipelines across all
villages in Dalmore Tea Garden
We engaged with the tea garden women workers and collected 50 cases on gross
violation of Plantation workers Act like non-payment of wage, unequal wage rate and
misbehaviour by the management , the women workers faced and we will be taking up
this issue.
Other Workers
Hawkers Mahasammelan (Hawkers Conference) was Organized and attended by over
a thousand hawkers, to advocate for the implementation of Street Vendor Act in Delhi.
In Odisha Campaign on Labour Rights and bike yatra was organised to create
awareness on issues of distress migration, livelihood opportunity, land rights and
labour rights through street play, meeting, slogan & play cards.
Alternate livelihood opportunities for women: ActionAid Association supported
women in many states to opt for alternate livelihood and challenging stereotypes and
breaking barriers The training initiative on driving cars by ActionAid Association and
DXC Technology running in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and Jaipur, Rajasthan, is part of a
larger programme aimed at empowering young women from vulnerable communities

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to break gender stereotypes and socio-economic barriers through vocational skill
training
in Bengaluru around 61 women acquired driving license and 14 being placed and hired
by a taxi company. 30 women from Jaipur, Rajasthan, were trained in in driving cars, 9
women have been hired as professional cabdrivers. One of the women was identified
for the Deutsche Welle’s series on women in Asia, in the episode “Power and
Participation”, it is Germany’s national broadcaster.
ActionAid Association with support from Care Today started The Orange Café and
Restaurant in Varanasi, UP to support a group of acid attack survivors to embark on a
new, transformational journey towards their socio-economic empowerment.
In Guwahati three women collective were given financial support to enhance their
Income Generating Activities towards livestock rearing, cultivation of ginger and yam.
Also 21 girls got Livelihood Skills Training Programme in tailoring, crafts, personality
development, a workshop on health & hygiene, relationship with people and basic
English. Five girls have found placement and earning their livelihood.
In promotion of community handloom, the GVM LRP had organised 3 trainings on
weaving skills and designing among women forum members in Adla, Sathamou, and
Harharia area. Thread bank for women forums was established and, a sum of
Rs.5,00,000.00 as support money was granted to Gargori Community Weaving Centre
for infrastructure and purchasing weaving machinery by the Department of Handloom
and Textile.
In West Bengal, 131 tea garden women workers underwent skill training on livelihood
activities included knitting, vermicomposting, and Mushroom cultivation. This has
escalated annual income of families, where individuals earn between Rs 1200- 2000/-
per month. 29 traffic survivors and their family members have been employed in
knitting and making of woollen garments. This activity does support young girls and
women, to supplement monthly income over and above tea plucking.
In Kolkata Sagar Samudrik Mahila Matsyajibi Samabay Samiti have procured a loan of
around Rs. 60,000 at low interest rate for selling the dried fish. They had also started
rearing 100 chicks, in this 2 full time and 4 other part time women fish workers have
been engaged. Other members are also working as volunteers to strengthen the
cooperative

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Commemorating Important Dates
ActionAid Association across the states celebrated International Labour Day on 1 May
2019. More than 1200 workers joined the various programme like trainings etc to
highlight the issues of informal sector workers. Following this A weeklong social media
campaign named “#MainBhiShramik” was launched.
In Odisha ActionAid Association celebrated Worker’s Education Day along with
National Board for Worker’s Education and Development at Bhubaneswar to
emphasize on the children’s education and the problems workers kids faced to
continue.
In Chennai ActionAid Association Association with Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers
Welfare Trust celebrated World Day for Decent Work, with 300 women from
Perumbakkam participated, women spoke about their need for recognition as laborer,
regulation of wages and work conditions, and their rights to social protection and
dignity
In Lucknow we celebrated International Domestic Workers Day with around 200
domestic workers from slums.

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 WOMEN’S RIGHTS
With a Focus on Women’s Right to
Property
We have been working on the issues of women’s rights ensuring their right to property
as a mechanism to ensure that the women assert their agency against violence and
negotiate for a better space in the community and policy, to lead a dignified life.
We focus on partnering and involving people and institutions across the board and
classes such as men, women, youth, Panchayat, community, government institutions,
police, educational Institutions, and officials to imbibe and a broader consensus
around the issue of uneven distribution of resources both private and public resources
including property rights of women in every form that she takes daughter, wife, and
mother.

Major Advances
Promoting Rights of Single Women
Policy advances
On 23 June 2019, International Widows’ day we organized a National Level
Consultation on Single Women and their Property Rights in which more than 1400
widows of farmer suicides families and other single women from 8 Districts of
Maharashtra and representatives from six states participated, in addition to various
stakeholders, activists, policy makers, journalists, women groups and forums.
Widows and Single Women shared their struggles on social security, housing, land and
property rights. Activists from other national and state movements like MAKAAM,
WGWLO and National Forum for Single Women’s Rights also shared their experience
and give inputs for future advocacy plan.
Chairperson of State Commission for Women of Maharashtra Ms. Vijaya Rahatkar, Ms.
Navneet Rana, Independent MP, Ms. Yashomati Thakor, Congress MLA also participated
and gave their viewpoints on Single Women’s Rights and Empowerment. A Charter of
Demands that was prepared enlisting all the major demand was shared with the
participants, the speakers of the event and government and legislative representatives.
During this consultation we have collected inputs for single women policy draft.
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Basing on our past experiences and work and in with consultation of civil society
organisations, we have recently prepared a draft of National Single Women Policy and
presented it on different forums.
We have also shared our inputs on the national policy for women as well as the note
mentioned above with the women’s wings of various parties.

State Level and Grounded Interventions

Consultation on state women policy for single women in Uttarakhand: A study
conducted by AA in 2018 clearly highlighted the need to work for the social, economic,
political and cultural rights of Single women. Based on the study findings, a consultation
was organized December in Dehradun district. The state women commission, DALSA
secretary, police department, members of Nirbhaya cell, academician, social activist
along with organisations from 13 districts and media were present in the meeting. More
than 150 participants were present in the consultation. In the concluding note, Ms
Vijiya Badthwal agreed for the formulation of state women policy for the Uttarakhand
with special provisions for Single women in the policy. It was decided that a committee
would be formed in the for the formulation of draft policy. This draft will be done by
the women’s commission, ARPAN and ActionAid Association in the year 2020.
In Madhya Pradesh, efforts were made to influence the state for single women policy
formulation. Several interactions happened with senior bureaucrats of women and
child development department to discuss various aspects of single women in the state
and need for policy. ActionAid Association representatives met WCD minister Ms.
Imarti Devi to present policy draft prepared by AA. She assured to come up with state
policy soon. Regular follow ups are being done by the team.
Dialogue with state to introduce Witch Branding Act in Madhya Pradesh- Witch
banding against women is widely spread in the state and there is no law in the state
to prevent witch branding. A series of dialogues were taken up with Department of
women and child development and Department of tribal development to initiate the
process of formulation of witch-branding bill to protect vulnerable women. Meetings
on this was organised with WCD minister Ms. Imarti Devi and with senior officials of
the department and a draft of the Witch Branding Act was presented to them. They
assured to look into the matter and come up with certain plan to protect women
survivors of witch-branding.
Campaign efforts on single women
In Gujarat, a campaign of single women’s pension rights were organised in 7 districts,
17 blocks and 238 villages. Through this collective effort of Ekal Nari Shakti Manch the
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pension amount for ‘single women’ has been increased by the government from Rs.
1,000 to Rs. 1,250 from April 2019 onwards. Besides, benefits for ‘single women’ son
above 21 years will now continue receiving benefits which were earlier discontinued.
Furthermore, the single women who had gotten left out because of the provision prior
to this amendment can now reapply for the said entitlements.
Single Women were facilitated in filing their applications for widow pension, income
certificate, death certificate and other required documents.
With an aim to have a comprehensive policy for Single Women in Gujarat who are
separate, divorced, unmarried, ENSM started a Post card campaign to raise the
concern of these women. Meetings were organised in 8 districts to discuss the
problems of these women in which more than 3700 women actively participated. The
women demanded that the state drafts and implements a Single Women Policy and
disburse the pending payments to women. More than 1450 postcards were written by
members of 8 districts.
Due to efforts of ENSM and Dakshin Gujarat Vikas Sansthan (DGVS) which is an alliance
partner, the District Collector of Tapi issued an order in the name of DGVS to 7 Block
offices easing the rules for single women. In case the Single Women do not possess
the Death Certificate, she can give an affidavit stating the claim of death which will be
accepted as a replacement for Death Certificate.
In the month of June with consultation of ActionAid Association and other civil society
organisations, Revenue and Forest Department of Maharashtra released a Government
Resolution (GR) on women's safety issues of women belonging to suicide victims in
Nagpur and Aurangabad.
In May 2019, Osmanabad Chief Executive Officer released a GR stating that all the
schemes that are in the district of Osmanabad, single women will be prioritized in
getting benefits from among these. Also, every Tehsil office of each taluka in
Osmanabad district have blocked every Monday to meet single women and listen to
their problems and solve their matters. This was possible post continuous efforts by
Paryay, our LRP ally on the issues of single women.
Monthly pension under Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana was increased from Rs.600 to
Rs.1000. Other increased benefits were Rs.1100 if the widow has one child and
Rs.1200 if she has two children.

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Furthering rights of single women
ActionAid Association has done a lot of grounded work with single women during
previous years of engagements. Around 11000 single women across six states have
been brought together under Ekal Nari Manch.
In Gujarat, working with Ekal Nari Shakti Manch (ENSM), we organized facilitation camps
across seven districts to support single women access on social security schemes and
entitlements. More than 1,300 applications for widow pension were filed and women
were helped to secure income certificates and other important documents
Through continuous efforts and follow up of each case, 52 single women were
supported to include their names in the property of in-laws and the names of 24
women were included as property owners in their father’s property.
A total of 10 tribal single women from Navsari district were supported to get land from
government for collective farming. They were provided technical guidance and
included in demonstration program of crops.
In Rajasthan, 518 single women from Jodhpur district participated in a postcard
campaign, drawing the attention of the Chief Minister’s office to the need to set Rs
3,000/- as pension for single women, besides ensuring homestead land and housing
rights.
Through our interventions in Gujarat 1318 women and in Andhra Pradesh 75 women
received single women pension.
In Kandhamal district of Odisha, 2190 single women have been identified by ActionAid
Association and its partner organization Antaranga. The district federation of single
women is in place.
An interface of single women and district authorities was organised in Nuapada, Odisha
assured them to forwards application to Government for consideration. So far, 680
single women have been identified in Nuapada district. As an outcome of interface
with district administration, 20 single women have been accessed to homestead of 4
decimals and PMAY, Mo Kudia scheme. 7 single women who have already possessed
land are linked to housing scheme under PMAY during the year 2019. 18 single women
have received input subsidies as farmers in Nuapada .
Around 50 single women from 10 districts of Odisha had participated in the state level
single women meeting. The meeting cum capacity building programme was an
opportunity for single women from across Odisha to come together to share their
issues and experiences as single women. Mrs Minati Behera, Women Commissioner,

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Odisha, inaugurated the programme. In her address, she assured to conduct a survey
for single women in Odisha to provide necessary support in linking them to different
schemes and entitlements. Discussion was held on formulation of Odisha Prevention
of witch-branding rules as single women always branded as witches and faces violence
at large. Though there is Odisha Prevention of witch-branding act 2013 but needs to
be properly implemented. Further, an organizational development exercise of single
women forum was organised with the objective of building the leadership of the among
the single women.
Policy advances on Women’s Rights to Property
We initiated the dialogue with the state to recognize and promote women as first
claimant of land right and other property rights in MP. In order to ensure women as
first claimant under FRA and PM Housing scheme letters were sent to concern
departments and local administration. Regular dialogues are continuing with the state
to recognize women’s property rights.
Campaigning on Women’s Rights to Property
During a week-long campaign (21-27 June 2019) we launched a women and property
campaign in 14 states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana
and Uttarakhand and engaged with more than 20 district and state level networks of
people’s organizations and social movements and shared our campaign idea and plan.
The campaign gave us success in reaching out to thousands of women and men at the
grassroots, including Dalit and tribal communities, minorities, single women, women
farmers, women working in the informal sector and students.
In Delhi, undertook the campaign in four communities, slums and resettlement
colonies. Action India and EFRAH, have played important role in taking the campaign
at the ground level. We reached out to women through our campaign in 8 districts in
Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh.
A series of awareness meetings, orientations, interface with PRI members and District
Administration in the Kandhamal and Koraput districts of Odisha was organized by
single women as part of weeklong campaign of Women and Property Rights campaign.
During this week-long campaign, a charter of demand was prepared by them to access
their rights over land, property, forest, and entitlements, which was submitted to the
sub collector. As an advocacy outcome, Sub-collector had asked Antaranga and
federation members to share the list of landless single women with an objective to
link them to their rights over property and land-homestead, agriculture, and forest.

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They are also demanding to increase the pension and recognition of women as
farmers.
In Madhya Pradesh, women and property rights campaign began in 19 districts .
Districts with strong women rights network were identified to run the campaign in the
first phase of the campaign. More than 250 community meetings were conducted in
last on one year to sensitize people on women and property rights. Beside that focus
group discussions and case study discussions were also organised with women and
youth groups in these districts. These activities were conducted to make them aware
about how to identify the cases of women and property rights and take necessary
actions at village, panchayat and at administrative level to ensure property to women.
meetings were conducted in 100 villages and 20 urban locations during national
weeklong campaign. Within that week, a total of 30 tribal women were provided
support to get access over landed property rights through inheritance law and system.
In many parts of the state, memorandum was given to district collector to increase the
widow pension as currently it is very low at Rs 600 per month in MP. Demand for single
women policy came up very strongly from different parts of the state during the
weeklong campaign.
Grounded Action on Women’s Right to Property
We organised a district level meeting on the issue in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh where
government representatives, NGO members stressed on the importance of women’s
property rights and expressed to come together to ensure the same. We collaborated
with RHDC to organised awareness sessions on women’s property rights amongst Dalit
women domestic workers in villages of Mansa district of Punjab.
In Andhra Pradesh 617 women received housing pattas.
In Gujarat, 96 single women farmers were linked with Khet Vikas Kendra (KVK) and
were helped to receive seeds of rice and gram at reasonable rates. A total of 11 women
farmers were helped to access agriculture tools and plants at 50% charges from Krishi
Vikas Kendras . About 31 women farmers were helped to access compensation for
the damage (washing away of Land) due to natural calamities like floods. About 82
women members were supported to get benefit of housing scheme.
In Madhya Pradesh , 45 cases of women and property dispute were identified. A total
of 29 cases were resolved with panchayat and community intervention. These 29
women got access and control over property rights and were linked with agriculture
schemes to enhance their livelihood.

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Young and active advocates have been identified to assist vulnerable women to get
property rights in several districts of MP. These advocates help women by giving
information on their legal property rights, how and where to file a case and provide
other required supports. They provide pro bono support to vulnerable women. It will
lead towards setting up of state advocate forum by end of 2020 to provide legal
support to women survivors of gender-based violence and to ensure women property
rights.
Campaign on women farmers rights over agricultural land
To recognize and establish women ownership of agriculture land rights, Gramonnati
Sansthan in collaboration with AA in Uttar Pradesh, organized women farmers’
campaign in May. The aim of the campaign was twofold- one was to ensure that women
are recognised as farmers and secondly to be recognised as farmers, there is an
imperative need to establish their rights over agricultural land. Along with series of
activities across 40 villages, Mahoba, Land Management Committee Resolution was
made in the name of women in 34 revenue villages following which a copy of the
resolution of LMC application was submitted to the District Magistrate. The resolution
and recommendation of Land Management Committees to provide agriculture land
entitlement is the first step towards realizing the women’s right to land as farmers.
More than 1500 women participated actively.
A women farmer conclave was organised in Mahoba district headquarter in which
District Magistrate- Mr. Sahdev, Chairperson of Municipal Corporation-Smt. Dilash
Tiwari and other revenue officers were present. A total of 447 applications of
agriculture land entitlement of women were submitted to DM. The District Magistrate
ensured full support to all women for the allotment of land and possession of land.
DM also instructed that meeting of the Land Committees should be conducted
regularly in every village. Further a memorandum of demands from the women's
farmers was given by the members of Nav Kranti Manch (CBO) to the District Magistrate.
Women farmers: grounded actions
In collaboration with ARPAN (Association for Rural Planning and Action)16 women’s
farming collectives have been formed across the 15 intervention villages with a total
membership of more than 800 women farmers. As part of this initiative, through
training programmes and exposure visits, these women farmers have been oriented
on low-cost farming techniques, climate-resilient sustainable agriculture, vegetable
farming techniques, seedbanks, tool-banks, formation of vermicompost as well as the
marketing of agricultural produce. Besides, these women have been linked with several
government schemes and entitlements. these women have now started selling their
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produce in the local market and are making good profits. The women’s collectives are
planning to come together as a federation to enhance the marketing strength for their
various products. Through the consistent efforts of these collectives, 16 seedbanks
have been opened across the three blocks and nearly 850 women farmers are
associated with these banks. Besides, two water-tanks have been set up in the district
for water conservation. Furthermore, 25 quintals of organic manure have been
prepared by these women. of which 5 quintals was sold in the market while the rest
was used in their own fields. – 65 women are now growing vegetables in their kitchen
gardens.
(Please also see page no 9)
Addressing Violence against women
The Madhya Pradesh State Police Department has approached ActionAid Association
Madhya Pradesh to partner with them for gender sensitisation of its officers. ActionAid
Association as a technical support agency developed gender sensitization, and
capacity-building curriculum, as well as researches on policy reforms focusing on
gender and trained more than 400 police officers so far. Under this MoU signed at the
MP Police Academy in Bhopal, ActionAid Association will be providing hand-holding
support to the state police in its efforts towards establishing gender justice in its overall
functioning.
ActionAid Association has been associated with the state police department for long
now and has been supporting them in framing gender sensitization programmes for
the various ranks of police officers. This MoU is an outcome of the long years of
committed and strong work we have been doing on gender justice and women’s rights
in the state.
In Madhya Pradesh, through the Gauravi One Stop Crisis Centre in Bhopal we have
counselled more than 5,112 women survivors.
In Uttar Pradesh 210 staff members of Asha Jyoti Kendras and police officers of the
state has been trained on the issue of violence against women. In Uttar Pradesh 1885
women were supported through Asha Jyoti Kendras, 192 women and children were
rescued in which 100 were shifted in shelter homes. In both states we have extended
legal aid to 1591 women.
In Uttarakhand with Arpan we have mobilized 657 women to form a Women collective
and built the capacities of 50 women leaders and formed Mahila Adhikar Sangahtan.
The group is active in raising voice against discrimination with women and girls in the
villages.
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While continuing our work on the issue of trafficking in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Jharkhand we have rescued more than 532 trafficked women and girls.
In Karnataka, six women received the 7th edition of Nelathayi Awards for standing up
against sexual violence and for their outstanding contribution. Nelathai Awards was
instituted by Swaraj, ActionAid Association and Gandhi Bhavan to recognize and
felicitate women leaders for standing up against sexual violence. During the felicitation
ceremony, the women recollected their battle against gender-based violence and how
they stood up against and shattered stereotypes. Starting 2011, SWARAJ Network and
ActionAid Association in Karnataka have been felicitating women and girls from
subaltern communities who have fought against gender-based violence, with an award
titled Nelathayi. In 2019, the theme was sexual violence.
In Rajasthan, with the joint effort of the Directorate of Women Empowerment
Rajasthan, ActionAid Association, UNICEF, ARAVALI and AMIED a 10-day long self-
defense training program was organised for dropout girls and victims of violence in
Karauli District, Rajasthan. This program was one of the first initiatives that targeted
out-of-school girls for self-defense training. The department had roped in private
marital arts expert who conducted the 10-day training. A ten-days curriculum was
developed for physical as well as theoretical sessions. The theoretical sessions also
contained topics related to gender and human rights.
In this training, 153 out-of-school adolescents and survivors of one stop crisis centre
between the age group of 15 to 30 years had participated. The District Collector of
Karauli was the chief guest of the closing ceremony. The success of the program was
welcomed by Chief Minister Sri Ashok Gehlot who announced "Prerna Project" which
will be providing self-defense training to drop out girls and linking them to open school
in 33 districts of Rajasthan.
In Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Delhi, we have
done an intensive campaign on declining sex ratio and directly reached with more than
3000 community leaders and volunteers and challenging patriarchy.
We along with AMIED in Rajasthan and Astitva in Uttar Pradesh implemented the
project on challenging gender-based violence that the women and the girls face in
these areas. The villages chosen for intervention had highly skewed sex ratio and
hence we chose these villages to challenge patriarchal norms and violence against
women. In our endeavour last year, we were able to convince the community to stop
evil practices of child marriages, dowry and other forms of violence. In this effort, we
trained community level 800 change agents on communication and mobilisation. A
tool kit for facilitating the behavioural change has been developed with 9 different
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items consisting of game materials, posters, films etc. Street plays and public hearings
were organized on these issues. Most of the 800 change agents are now actively
involved in organising monthly meetings: attending SMC meetings and talking to key
stakeholders. They are motivating girls and boys to take initiatives against GBV and
discrimination.

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 PUBLIC FINANCE, BUDGETS AND
GOVERNANCE
We believe that the failure of implementation of public financing and accountable
governance is the biggest challenge in reduction of poverty among marginalized
communities, exacerbated by aggressive crony capitalism. Budgetary allocations and
expenditure by the national, state and local governance institutions directly impact
access to and quality of services, and thus have an important redistributive role to
play. We are engaging with grassroots social movements to be equipped with
budgeting skills to develop a movement for effective budget justice and accountable
governance at the national and state levels. We covered 71 Districts, 555 educational
institutions covered, 251,679 students sensitized, 55,384 students were supported to
apply for scholarships. The other tangible achievement of schemes and entitlements
are mentioned below.

Major Advances
People’s Agenda
In the beginning of 2019, we had initiated the process of consultations with
communities, groups and platforms on the issues we work on and reach out to policy
makers, national and state level leaders with these expectations, which were
consolidated in the form of a document entitled "For Equality & Justice: A People's
Agenda". Taking forward this process, we have deepened our engagement with
policymakers and have contributed to critical discussions. Inputs into policies and
draft legislations were provided to various Ministries, formulating draft policies.
Interface with people's representatives were conducted to contribute to policymaking.
Initiating and participating in policy dialogues relevant to the issues we work on, and
working closely with research institutions, universities, and think tanks to contribute to
policies at state, national, and international levels.
National Consultation on Nomadic Tribes and De-Notified Tribes:
A National Consultation on NT/DNT was organised in Delhi, under the leadership of Sh.
Bal Krishna Renke and Sh. Bhiku Ramji Idate. During the consultation, resolutions
demanding a census of NT-DNTs in all states and union territories, and a special
legislation for the protection of these communities were passed.

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After the Consultation in March 2019, which was organised by Shri Renke we decided
to draft a Rehabilitation Policy which is still going on. The Idate Committee
recommendations resulted in the recommendation of formation of a Welfare Board
under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, for which the State Minister from
NT/DNT Community is trying to influence the Govt for its faster progress. We are also
in the process of seeking amendment of the SC/ST Atrocities Act to include NT/DNT
for prevention of atrocities through better tracking and monitoring of cases. We are
also working on housing land issues in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh
which is being followed up. We have also started the process of surveying NT/DNT
families. An ongoing process is to mobilise and organize a national level platform for
a national level process.
The Forest Rights Campaign
To restore forest, land, water and local self-governance back in the hands of the
indigenous people, a group of 100 tribal walked about 500 kms from Dindori to Bhopal
through tribal dominated districts like Mandla, Narsinghpur and Chhindwara. They
started on 9th February and reached the capital on 26th February. Here a big tribal
people’s conclave was organized where more than 500 tribal participated. The main
agenda was to highlight the Supreme Court’s judgement to remove 1,127,446 tribal
and other forest-dwelling households whose claims for the land rights were rejected.
A delegation also met the Chief Minister Kamal Nath ji and submitter its demand. The
Chief Minister assured that the state will review every rejected cases of FRA and put a
strong defense in the Supreme Court so that no forest dwellers will have to leave their
land. Tribal Advisory Council has been formed in Madhya Pradesh.
Adivasi Adhikar Hunkar Yatra and Adivasi Hunkar Sabha- please refer to – Page 4
State Level and Grounded Interventions
In Rajasthan an Open Dias Interface with People’s Representatives and Duty Bearers
was done in almost 26 districts in the State of Rajasthan to create approximately 1500
leaders who will link people to people’s asks. This was jointly organised by Dalit Adhikar
Network Rajasthan, Dalit Ghumantu Vikas Sajha Manch Rajasthan, Kalbeliya Nagrikta
Adhikar Abhiyaan, Rajasthan Bhanduwa Mazdoor Mukti Abhiyaan, Dalit Adhikar
Abhiyaan Rajasthan, Gaon Ganrajya Rajasthan, Ghumantu Sajha Munch, organisations
and community forums. This resulted in:
1. State level committee formed for review of implementing provisions of Section 183
ABC of Rajasthan Kashtkari Act under which thousands of cases has been
registered.

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2. Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Communities have
been formed.
3. Government announcing in budget session that for population with more than 70
percent of tribals in Rajasthan it will be constructing a separate skill building training
institute.
4. Through this campaign people’s demand were shared through district collectors,
was placed on the table of Chief Minister Rajasthan who is taking keep interest.
In Bhopal, a state level meeting was organised on Public Finance to understand issues
related to budget analysis with a focus on SCP-TSP budget allocations budget.
In Odisha, Samuhik Marudi Pratikar Udyam Padmapur (SMPUP) team and Zilla Lok
Aadhikar Sangathan met Sub-Collector and submitted a Charter of Demands of migrant
labourers and farmers. The Collector assured to look into the matter urgently. A
meeting of 500 farmers (Rajborasambar Birat Krushak Samabesh) submitted a 15-point
memorandum focusing on drought mitigation, revision of relief code, MSP, etc.
Campaign
Act For Scholarship campaign – Please refer to page 48
Accessing Schemes and Entitlements
A total of 17,707 persons were connected to banking services under Jan Dhan Yojna
and a total of 12,300 families were connected to services under Swachchh Bharat
Mission. About 2,186 families received LED bulbs at low price to reduce electricity
consumption under Ujala Yojna. A total of 1,784 persons between 18 to 50 years were
covered by Life Insurance of Rs. 2 lacs (@Premium of Rs. 330 per annum) under Prime
Minister Jyoti Jyoti Bima Yojna. About 2,879 people between 18 and 70 years covered
by General insurance / accident insurance of 2 lakh (at premium of Rs.12 Rs./year). A
total of 4,489 BPL families receiving LPG connection at subsidized rates under Prime
Minister Ujjwala Plan. Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, 1262 urban poor families were
provided affordable housing. 101 tribal (ST) families accessed and benefitted from the
TSP funds. Following planning through Village development plans, 109 tribal (ST)
families benefitted from the amount sanctioned under TSP. A total of 143 urban
homeless people gained ownership over residential home. 365 persons applied for
Home Pattas out of which 128 person got them. Across states, 4825 disability pension
5396 old age pension, 2524 widow pension and 795 JSY accessed.
In eight blocks, including Shergarh Block of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan we work with
women Dalit communities. Nearly 13,500 families belonging to Dalit communities have
been linked to food security schemes and more than 3,800 people to social security
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schemes. The efforts of community leaders have also helped facilitate discrimination-
free mid-day meals in 44 schools of Shergarh.
Scheduled Caste Sub Plan Funds
Across the country, 4551 Dalit families accessed and benefitted from the SCSP funds.
In Uttar Pradesh, we applied for 23 Houses under SCSP in Saharanpur District. In Uttar
Pradesh & Uttarakhand we studied, analyzed and facilitated government’s various
social schemes to take advantage of the schemes. Our work with government and
media on SCSP and MSDP, resulted in:
• Construction of Road in Shafipur Patti under MSDP at Muzaffarnagar
• Constructing of boundary wall of 01 Community Hall in Ratanpur, Saharanpur under
SCSP
Entitlements Faciliated
Jan Dhan Yojna – At least 17,707 persons were connected to banking services. Ujala
Yojna - 2,186 families received LED bulbs at low price
Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna - 1,784 persons between 18 to 50 years were covered by Life
Insurance of Rs. 2 lacs (@Premium of Rs. 330 per annum). 2,879 people between 18
and 70 years covered by General insurance / accident insurance of 2 lakh (at premium
of Rs.12 Rs./year).
Under the Ujjwala Yojna 4,489 BPL families receiving LPG connection at subsidized
rates. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna 1262 urban poor families were provided
affordable housing. 143 urban homeless people gained ownership over residential
home 365 persons applied and 128 persons received home pattas.
4825 persons got Disability Pension, 5396 persons received Old Age Pension, 2524
persons got Widow Pension. 795 persons accessed Jan Swastha Yojna.
In AP and Telengana, 96 old age pensions, 105 widow pensions, 120 PDS cards were
mobilized, 68 single women got house construction support, 75 pukka houses got
sanctioned, NFBS covered for 32 families, Anthyodaya cards for 22 members,
Arogyasree 57 (Govt health card for BPL families), Yuvasakthi 33, CLDP – 136 acres,
Bicycles for 392 school going girl children and sewing machines for 23 women (learnt
tailoring)
In UP, under the “Chikitsha Suvidha Yojna” we filed upto 197 applications. The scheme
provides health benefits of INR 3,000 per annum to labourers. Of the above-mentioned
application 55 were processed and benefits availed.

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Accountable Governance - Panchayat Extension to Schedule Areas (PESA)
For democratic and accountable governance in Scheduled Areas, at least four
attempts were made to engage with the State to make PESA Rules. A total of 89 Gram
Sabhas made functional. At least 27 Gram Sabhas hold a meeting at least once in two
months convened by Gram Panchayat. More than 43 Gram Sabhas having separate
quorum for women and where a third of the general quorum are women.
Also, in Rajasthan, under Special Gram Sabha organized by the State to provide
homestead land to DNT/NT communities, 322 households have applied so far.
In Maharashtra our work on participatory democracy and accountable governance
resulted in approval of at least 15 Community Forest Rights (CFR) (Territorial Rights for
Protection, Conservation and Management) claims. The villagers are increasingly talking
about their rights, power to Gram sabhas under PESA and utilization of PESA funds.
1. 25 Gram Sabhas were made functional in Delhi Region.
2. 40 Gram Sabhas in Delhi Region held a meeting at least once in two months
convened by Gram Panchayat
3. 25 Gram Sabhas had separate quorum for women and a third of the general
quorum were women.
4. 14,076 Gram Sabhas in Mumbai; 40 in Delhi Region; and 5 in Bhubaneshwar are
safeguarding and preserving traditions and customs of the people, their cultural
identity
5. 25 Gram Sabhas in Delhi Region constituted Standing Committees, viz. Peace,
Justice, Resource Planning and Management, Intoxication Control, Debt Control,
Market, Sabha Kosh, irrigation management, etc., is accountable to the Gram Sabha.
6. 11,503 Mumbai and 40 Gram Sabhas in Delhi Region mandatorily involved in all
decision relating to land-acquisition; peace & security and dispute resolution;
management of natural resources; agriculture and land, etc.
7. 12 Gram Panchayats in Mumbai obtained a certification of utilization of all funds
from the Gram Sabha for works undertaken in its areas.
In Manipur, to understand and access the rights and entitlements, we conducted 10
awareness programmes including RTI. 233 persons attended.
• GVM LRP in collaboration with the women forum discussed with community women
on issues about women and children for inclusion into Gram Panchayat
Development Programme of 2020-21. A total of 10 memorandums locally called
“Dabi Sanad” from Wards and Panchayats were submitted to Gaon Sabhas. A copy
of the memorandums was also submitted to the local MLA of Nalbari constituency.

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• We organized a 2-days workshop on Garo traditional governance systems and the
role of the autonomous district councils.
• Around 97 community meetings covering 5800 community members including
children were conducted in Assam. Aligning with the Gram Panchayat Development
Programme (GPDP) campaign we conducted assessments in 100 different wards
under 10 Gaon Panchayats from 3 districts of Assam. In the Poverty Vulnerability
Assessment (PVA & RA) exercises, a total of 3500 persons have participated where
community women were major stakeholder. There were also 26 thematic
consultations with 1507 community women participating on issues of gender rights,
menstrual hygiene management, social security schemes, legal rights of women,
child rights, WASH, etc.
Towards engaging with children for their participation in the GPDP action plans, we
formed 77 children assemblies with more than 2400 children as members. There has
been regular handholding with them through joyful means.
In these 10 GPs, special Women and Children Gaon Sabha were organised and
submitted Annual Action Plan.

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 JUST, INCLUSIVE, AND LIVABLE
URBAN SPACES
Given the rapid pace of urbanization in India, we need to people’s institutions, their
formations, informal workers platforms, slum dwellers groups, etc. While much
attentions has been given by movements in rural India, in this century it is important
to build people’s power to claim a right to city and spaces. There is a huge dearth of
housing for most people migrating to cities and therefore we need to intervene to do
our bit towards closing the gaps as much as possible.
Informal workers face multiple discrimination in terms of access to public services,
precarious conditions of work and discrimination related to land and housing within
the cities. So, within the urban context we need to focus on interventions which
enhances availability and accessibility of these spaces for the urban poor in cities –
including housing, secure employment, public services, etc.

Major Advances
In Madhya Pradesh, we directly work in 40 slums in Bhopal and Rahatgarh with urban
poor on just, inclusive and livable urban spaces. Collectives in each slum have been
put in place who work with slum dwellers on their rights. It includes young urban
women, women, domestic workers, Muslim women and beedi workers. In the 40 slums
the following progress was made:
1. Strong collectives of unorganised workers including domestic workers, Beedi
workers, construction workers, street vendors in 40 slums of Bhopal, Indore and
Jabalpur. Total number of people associated with these collectives are around 2000
including, men and women.
2. Under unionization of unorganized workers in MP, a Domestic Workers Union has
been formed in MP with a total membership of 800. The Union has collected
Rs.49,000 as membership fees in the last two years. The amount has been
deposited in Union's bank account. The union is managing their accounts with the
help of ActionAid Association. The amount will be used for union's development
and expansion.
3. A survey has been conducted to identify homeless people in 10 districts of MP. A
list of homeless people has been compiled in 5 districts of MP.
4. People from marginalised communities were made aware on housing rights.
5. Applications were filed under PM Awas Yojna in 5 districts of MP
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On housing right campaign, we work with network partners of 10 districts across
Madhya Pradesh. This campaign focuses on both urban and rural areas of these
districts. The aim is to identify homeless families and link them with Pradhanmantri
Aawas Yojana (PMAY).
In Odisha, Night Vigilance Members of Anasanghathita Sramik Manch (ASM),
representatives from different civil society organisation along with CCWD team visited
different corners of Bhubaneswar city. A charter of recommendations was given to the
State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) responding to which they assured
establishment of temporary night shelters.
In Tamil Nadu, along with Thozhamai we support legal interventions, families benefited
by getting basic amenities like drinking water, CCTV and a post office in Semmencherry.
In Northeast of India a citizens' consultation on urban issues for workers in greater
Guwahati led to emergence of a set of important points now collated into reflections
of 'People in Informal Economy' agenda to different political parties and candidates
during the general election. These demands have been presented by People in
Informal Economy in a citizens’ conclave held in in Guwahati wherein representatives
from 15 districts participated.
A team of 6 persons of construction workers collectives’ members and partner staff
visited Lucknow at to understand the functioning of shelter homes and effective
implementation of the BOCW Act. This visit led to further rectify the 15-point charter
of demand prepared by the construction workers' collective for submission to the
Government of Assam.
Housing campaign in Rajasthan: Housing campaign was conducted in all 23 villages in
Bharatpur as well as in Jaipur Districts to make the NT-DNT communities aware on their
housing rights. This resulted in:
• Orders were passed for 450 DNTs families that were displaced from their houses
in Kalwad Road
• 117 DNT families in Jaipur got patta through Jaipur Development Authority (JDA)
• At State level a committee has been formed by Social Welfare Department in which
the representatives from DNT/NT have been included for the first time.
• Survey of DNT/NT families in Jaipur City: Jaipur team of ActionAid Association did
two types of Surveys – one with interns and the other along with Jaipur Police. The
survey done with the police has been made into a report. The survey was done in
14 locations of the project area to identify families who do not have homestead

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 land. Survey completed for 370 families. The remaining families survey would be
carried out in 2020 and final list of homestead lands submitted to CM.

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 PEACE & JUSTICE, COMMUNAL
HARMONY
Major Advances
Engagement with Government
In Uttar Pradesh, we organized advocacy meetings with the government officials and
media, attended by SDM, Journalists, IPS officers, HRDs, District Development Officers,
ADO Panchayat, Lawyers, MSDP Members and Victims/Survivors. During the meetings,
the survivors shared their stories of pain, complaints basic needs and demanded
justice for the violence and atrocities they have faced or facing and were assured by
the officers that they will take necessary and strict actions against the culprits.
Campaigns
In Haryana, Jan Sampark v Samvad Abhiyan 2019: As a part of campaign and advocacy
plan of the project the first phase of campaign has been organised from 24th Feb to
10th March and we have reached out over 12000 Dalits and Muslims in around 70
villages of five districts in Haryana on different laws and Acts.
In Uttar Pradesh we organized our Annual Campaign in Muzaffarnagar from 25 Nov to
13 Dec 2019 and covered 20 villages of two districts. Through the campaign and
advocacy, we sensitized the community on various social issues like domestic
violence, secular values of India, Gender based violence, communal harmony along
with other concerning issues of present India.
Grounded interventions
In Odisha, Antaranga has taken up a concept of "untouchability free village" through
the programme “Gandhi-150” in Kandhamal district. This year, 10 Gram Sabhas has
been declared 10 villages as discrimination free village in Daringibadi block.
In North India Region, we work on Human Rights in Haryana on the issue of acts of
violence that fall under the purview of The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention
of Atrocities) Act. In 2019, we intervened in 37 new cases of caste or religion based
atrocities in Haryana out of which 16 cases of atrocity against Dalits & 2 cases of
atrocity against Muslims, in 10 cases victims were male, in 5 cases victims were female
and in 3 cases family was attacked. In total the project has intervened on 52 cases as
on the date of this meeting. In last two quarters 16 cases were monitored and followed.

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Building Capacity of Human Rights Defenders: 112 HRDs are associated with the
project focusing on skills and knowledge. There are nine core HRDs getting support
and engaged in developing community leadership.
Increasing Awareness on Schemes and Basic Public Services: 3500 people have been
facilitated through this project in applying and accessing government welfare schemes
and basic public services such as MNREGA, PMAY, Pension schemes, scholarship for
Dalits & minorities etc. ICDS centres and PHCs are also monitored through HRDs and
community support groups developed.
Sampark v Samvad Abhiyan (Peoples’ Contact and Discussion Campaign) from
We organized a fortnight-long Jan Sampark v Samvad Abhiyan (Peoples’ Contact and
Discussion Campaign) in Haryana in order to create awareness among Dalits and
Muslims on their rights and entitlements. We reached out to more than 5,000
community members from 40 villages in four districts of the state, namely Fatehabad,
Kaithal, Karnal and Mewat.
In Uttar Pradesh, we reflected and explored ways for upholding diversity, pluralism
and equality for all citizens irrespective of religion, caste and gender. During one of the
consultation/meetings, the participants expressed serious concerns about attacks on
the freedom and liberty of citizens and rising intolerance. The participants presented
accounts of growing polarization and violations of rights of citizens, particularly
minorities.
In Bihar & Jharkhand Swaraj Kendras are disseminating information. More and more
people are accessing the 4 Swaraj Kendras. This has made the secretariat functional
as Panchayat Sevak, RozgarSevak, Jansevak, Mukhiya and ward members remain
present on the designated days of the week. Here various applications are filled and a
receipt provided to applicants. This is not just an information center but also a platform
for the villagers to sit together and discuss about their concerns and find a solution.
1942 applications to access government schemes were made in 2019.
In Jharkhand, Social Audits are being organized for ensuring accountable governance.
We take active part in the audits and public hearings in the district. In 2019, we
facilitated at least ten Social Audits of MGNREGA. This has increased the transparency
in implementation of schemes. Level of corruption has gone down as a result of this
activity. The feedback received during the public hearing is passed on to government
for better policy decisions. This also decentralizes the power among various stake
holders.

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In Jharkhand, we participated in social audit of NCPCR on the issue of Public Education
and as a result two schools were reopened in Baramoria (High School), Chandadhab
(Primary School).
The initiative also helped resolve 240 cases of atrocities against Dalits, including
several cases of atrocities against Dalit women across 7 districts of Rajasthan. As a
result of this initiative, more than 1,000 community-based cadres have stepped
forward and are now actively facilitating access to justice for community members,
including in cases of atrocities and land encroachment. We are also running a
campaign on Dalit rights across these districts. Besides generating awareness among
communities, the campaign is working towards their mobilization, leadership
development and access to justice and the various schemes and entitlements.
Internally Displaced People, IDPs
In Uttar Pradesh- Since 2013 Muzaffarnagar violence our presence with local people
and internally displaced communities focused on rehabilitation, communal harmony,
creating awareness and sensitization on the issues of religion and brotherhood and
peace building. In 2018-19, their interventions furthered these people’s access to civic
amenities, housing and rehab related entitlements. We have engaged more than 5000
people across region that deliberated on the increasing polarization, intolerance and
hatred between different religious communities.
We have facilitated the access to basic entitlement services/schemes to 3264
individuals through our various programs of which 2630 were female and 634 were
male. Also 2482 were Dalits and 782 Muslims covering around 51 villages of two
districts of western Uttar Pradesh i.e. Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar.
Human Right Defenders:
We are strengthening human rights networks on the ground, through monitoring,
confidence building, training of Dalits, and Muslims, fact finding on cases of atrocities
and working closely with NHRC for rehabilitation. We have also worked on a draft HRD
bill and engaged with policymakers on the same.
We are doing this by promoting social activism in in atleast four states including Bihar,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in 170 villages, to develop Community Support
Groups and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), and intervening in the cases of
discrimination and atrocities committed against Scheduled Caste (referred as Dalits),
Minorities (Muslims in this case) and DeNotified Tribe (DNTs).

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In Maharashtra, we trained Human Rights Defenders on leadership and community
development in 30 villages. Now those women play active roles in the village ranging
from Gram Panchayat member, Sarpanch, ASHA worker, Krushi Sakhi to SHG auditor,
SMC member, Gram Sangh member, schoolteacher, etc. These women leaders are
taking initiative to analyze government programmes such as Ummed Abhiyan and to
work on the issues of land, housing and budget with the Gram Panchayat and other
local governance stakeholders. They have also participated in the Village Development
Plan where they brought focus on the issues of women and girls, people and children
with disabilities. As a result, village development plans were again prepared in four
villages - Dongargaon, Lonvire, Sonand and Kole.
Monitoring of atrocity cases
Monitoring has been ensured in all the cases reported to us. Out of 219 cases where
FIR filled (amongst total 295 cases reported), 52 cases have received support from
govt authorities. 112 case have received support from District Legal Services
Authorities. 81 have received preliminary compensation for rehabilitation amounting
INR 23,506,700/-. Online complaints have been filled in National Human Rights
Commission in 117 cases in two years of the project intervention
We also requested the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and National
Minority Commission (NCM) to intervene in the brutal case of Bhondsi village in
Gurugram (Haryana) on 21st March 2019 when a mob of 25 to 30 people armed with
weapons, sticks and iron rods attacked a Muslim family.
Due to the continuous monitoring of the Kishanganj Gang rape case, all the 7 accused
have been sentenced life imprisonment with a fine 50,000/ each. Court directed to
provide compensation to victim.
Draft Model Law for Muslims and Model Rehabilitation Policy for DNTs
In two years, advocacy initiative helped to get Rajasthan Assembly passing of The
Rajasthan Protection from Lynching Bill- 2019, and in a Draft bill in Uttar Pradesh titled
Uttar Pradesh Combating of Mob Lynching Bill, 2019. Model Law for Muslims and Model
Rehabilitation Policy for DNTs has been discussed with academicians and social
activist. The drafting of the model rules for Muslims has been discussed with a number
of academicians, policy makers and Delhi Minority Commission. Rehabilitation Policy
for DNTs has been followed with NCDNSNT for further advocacy and enactment. A bill
“for the protection of human rights defenders” has been drafted and tabled as private
member bill in parliament. Engagement with policy makers and public representatives
have been also initiated for mainstreaming asks of NT/DNT in legislative process with

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Peoples actions. Over 120 members of parliament from Haryana, UP, Bihar and
Rajasthan, and 4 chief ministers (Haryana, UP, Bihar and Rajasthan) have been reached
out to advocate for Model Law for Muslims in their states. Both the model laws will be
completed and ready for the wider discussion in year three.
Fact Finding Missions
273 HRDs have participated in the 295 fact-finding missions. Among them 182 are
Dalits, 73 Muslims, 18 DNTs, and 51 Women. Most of the HRDs have participated in
the fact finding at their local level where cases of discrimination are reported. 42 HRDs
have also participated in the heinous crime such as Mob Lynching, Gang rape and
murder cases.
TANGIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS
1) 289 Cases of atrocities registered, pursued and convicted (12 Bhopal; 2 Chennai;
41 Delhi; 112 Jaipur; 120 Lucknow; 2 Mumbai)
2) 46 No. of Dalit Panel of Lawyers providing pro bono services (1 Bhopal; 10 Delhi;
35 Lucknow;)
3) 184 Fact Finding and Documentation through News scan of atrocities (3 Bhopal; 21
Delhi; 80 Jaipur; 80 Lucknow;)
4) 142 Written Messages (press releases) were published in Visibility Institutions (2
Blore; 1 Bhopal; 39 Jaipur; 100 Lucknow;)
5) 124 Rigorous Follow up with Police Stations were initiated (4 Bhopal; 60 Delhi; 20
Jaipur; 40 Lucknow)
a) 83 FIR processes (32 Delhi; 4 Jaipur; 3 Mumbai;)
b) 32 Compensation matters with MSJE in Delhi Region
6) 81 Victims and family Morale boosting mechanism established (41 Morale Boosting;
40 Lucknow;)
7) 137 instances (60 Blore; 1 Bhopal; 41 Delhi; 35 Lucknow;) of ensuring
implementation of the amended SC/ST atrocities Act by:
a) 41 District Vigilance Committee, Special Prosecutor, District Collector,
Superintendent of Police, Medical Officer, Social Justice dept. Visibility
Institutions, Law and Justice, Vidhan Sabha, District and State Nodal Officers
8) 37 trainings (4 Blore; 1 Bhopal; 8 Delhi; 24 Lucknow) conducted for community
leaders on the Amended SC/ST Atrocities Act

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9) 1496 villages with Dalit cooks appointed [(15 Blore; 1481 Bhopal (29 villages)]

OTHER ISSUES
Rohingya in Haryana
We have been engaged with the refuge community over the issue of Critical health
care, access to education, Child protection, and protection from SGBV & providing
basic ssanitary materials to vulnerable women and girls and supplementary education
to over hundred children.
For Health Care, we mapped and assessed the government health care service
available in the vicinity and liaised and advocated with integrated Child Development
Scheme (ICDS) and other allied critical health services ensuring refuges’ easy access
to critical health services. We disseminated information through volunteers on
government health services.
162 children (92 girls, 70boys) enrolled in the school. 154 Rohingyas children have
been provided regular supplementary education at the bridge education center set up
within the community premises. Monthly Parent-Teacher meetings and counseling of
parents organized to ensure retention of children in school. 4 cultural performances
of Rohingyas children were organized to highlight the creativity of children. 13
community groups have been formed (5 women group, 4 children group and 4 youth
group).
Nomadic Tribes and De-Notified Tribes - Strengthening Ghumantu Sajha Manch
In Rajasthan, Leadership trainings for NT-DNT leaders were organised throughout the
year to improve the policy environment to address aspects of their settlements,
exclusion, and livelihood. The trainings brought together leaders from 25 different NT-
DNTs community leaders to discuss on exclusion, and their citizenship rights. 6
trainings were conducted on leadership, among which 4 trainings have been
conducted with members of Ghumantu Shajha Manch with 199 participants (42 male
and 157 female) and 2 with leaders of Youth groups in which 41 youths participated.
Under the activity, discussions were made on different issues such as challenges of
violence, social security, leadership skills and the role of youths in Social Change. The
information on government schemes and how to access them were also discussed
during these trainings.
The Forum has been strengthened and are now understanding their rights. They have
also started taking up the issues with government and administration. The participants

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themselves came up with the solutions on the issues that came up. They understood
the importance of group advocacy and leadership.

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 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND CHILD
RIGHTS
Strengthening Public Education by making Government schools functional to provide
quality and equitable education is the driving force of ActionAid Association’s
engagements on Child Rights in majority of the States we work in. We have taken
multiple initiatives in achieving this purpose. We have engaged in identifying out of
school children, convened mass awareness drives in the community as well in policy
terms advocated against child labour and sexual violence against children. Also
provided inputs to New draft Education Policy.
As children are facing increased levels of deprivation and multiple forms of violence
today, especially those from marginalized communities, we prioritized children’s basic
right to survival, protection, and a clean, healthy, and safe environment. We also
worked with communities to ensure protection of children from atrocities and
discrimination in both schools and communities.

Major Advances
Inputs on New Education Policy 2019
ActionAid Association organised several State Consultations on the draft National
Education Policy 2019 involving academicians, government Officers, social activist,
journalist, individuals, and social Organisations concerned with education. Through
these various state level consultations, we developed our position on the proposed
New Education Policy and submitted it to Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Our inputs including broad issues and chapter-wise detailed feedback.
Roundtable on Sexual Violence Against Children in Odisha
ActionAid Association organised a one-day round table to discuss “Sexual Violence
against Children” and discussed the possible policy and ground level action to prevent
the violence against children. The roundtable ended with a couple of important
recommendations i.e. children need to be made aware of good touch and bad touch
since majority of the sexual violence are done by their relatives and known persons,
educating adolescents and parents on sex education on POCSO Act and making
POCSO act part of teachers training curriculum, imparting life skill training of children
especially adolescents at school level, regular training of officials especially police
officers under the supervision of OSCPCR.
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Campaigns:
ActionAid Association remains committed to working for the protection of children,
especially girls, from discriminatory practices of sex-selective abortions, trafficking,
and sexual assault. Over the years we have worked with allied organizations, the
administration and policymakers to bring change on the ground for the protection,
nutrition, and education of children. Children’s vulnerability will remain till children in
all contexts are recognized as equal citizens. In the family, this calls for children being
listened to and their interests being considered as equal, if not of paramount interest.
Enrolment campaigns
ActionAid Association launched drives to ensure maximum enrolment, attendance,
and retention of children all out of children in our operational areas. The District
Elementary Education Department, our local grass-root partners, volunteers, members
of SMCs and local community participated in enrolment drives. Following our sustained
campaigning with the community and authorities a total of 137477 children got
enrolled during the last session in the government schools.
#JoinTheDots campaign
In collaboration with WATConsult, we launched #JoinTheDots, an online campaign to
highlight child sexual abuse. The campaign aimed to prevent the incidence of abuse
as well as encourages adults to address such violence with a call to action to See,
Listen and Act. The campaign aims to prevent the incidence of abuse as well as
encourages adults to address such violence with a call to action to See, Listen and
Act. It also received the International Advertising Association (India Chapter) award for
best campaign under the “Government” category.
No to Child Marriage and Yes to School
The loss of opportunity in education has a harmful impact on children, child marriage
being one of them. It is important that children stay in school and continue with their
education as it is not only a human right but an important tool for the empowerment
of girls. In this context ActionAid Association launched a campaign "Say No to child
marriage-Yes to school" across 4 states Odisha, Bihar, Rajasthan & West Bengal during
October-November 2019. Through this campaign we reach more than 2,07,081
adolescent boys and girls and 2389 youths in 2571 schools across 22 districts in
these four states.
In the reporting period, a total of 576 child marriages have been stopped/ postponed
in total 5 states (Odisha, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Jharkhand). These cases of

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child marriages have been stopped/Postponed with the support and strengthening of
Government's existing mechanism in the states. In the fight against child marriage a
total of 9,769 volunteers have joined and provided knowledge on the issue.
ActForScholarship Campaign
ActionAid Association launched #ActForScholarship – a campaign in Uttar Pradesh,
Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Noida, and Delhi with the support from
volunteers, activists, community-based organizations and the larger civil society. Our
teams of volunteers held meetings with students, teachers and administrative staff of
several schools, colleges and universities to orient them on the various scholarship
schemes. These trained volunteers also had interactive discussions with students on
the process of filling up scholarship applications. Besides, we ran helplines to provide
telephonic and online support to students. The campaign could reach out to more
than 2.5 lakh students across states and supported several of them to apply for
scholarships. In Uttar Pradesh alone 84528 students took part in the campaign and
20863 students applied for various scholarship schemes and a total of 52000 students
received scholarship.
We highlighted various issues faced by students in availing scholarships and enabling
conversations on gaps in the framing and implementation of related schemes. We also
hosted a Tweetathon, #ActForScholarship. This social media initiative saw active
participation and constructive engagement on wide-ranging issues related to
scholarships. The hashtag, #ActForScholarship, made it to the list of Top 20 trending
topics on Twitter that day (at India Trends #16).
As a result, Government of Uttar Pradesh has reimbursed tuition fee and 39,971
Scheduled caste students received scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year,
which was not reimbursed in the past three years.
The campaign was carried out in 52 districts in states of UP,MP, Uttarakhand, Tamil
Nadu and Haryana reaching out to over 240,000 students in 518 education institutions.
The campaign also facilitated scholarship application of approx. 55,000 students.
Through this campaign, we prepared 150 volunteers across 29 districts especially for
scholarship issue.
POCSO campaign
ActionAid Association Madhya Pradesh in partnership with Madhya Pradesh Child
Rights Protection Commission (MPCRPC) launched POCSO campaign to raise
awareness and build strong network of people to address child sexual abuse in the
state. The event was marked by the presence of government officials, MPSCPCR
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members, Police Department representatives and ActionAid Association colleagues.
The programme was significant in raising awareness on child sexual abuse and POCSO
Act. Many young girls came forward to depose their views on the issues and took
pledge to raise their voice against such abuses. Similarly, such events were also
organized in some other districts to take this campaign ahead. IEC materials were
inaugurated and shared with all participants for information dissemination on the
cause. An advisory was also shared with concerned departments to their consideration
to address POCSO cases in MP.
Safe School Campaign
A human chain was jointly organised by Centre for Child & Women Development
(CCWD) and ActionAid Association in Bhubaneswar to sensitize slum dwellers as well
as different stake holders on safety of children. The event reportedly created
awareness among slum dwellers regarding safe environment in school, minimum basic
facilities such as pure drinking water, toilet, playground, quality education, fearless
society and prevention of child abuse.
West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights in collaboration with ActionAid
Association decided to conduct a public hearing in Alipurduar. The hearing was
preceded by a day-long visit to tea gardens in the three districts, where the
Chairperson, along with members and staff from WBCPCR conducted sustained
meetings with the children, and the community members to gain first-hand knowledge
about their lives. The hearing was well-attended by various members of the district
administration from the three districts, civil society organisations and members of the
public. The day-long hearing of cases threw sharp light on the various issues faced by
children in tea gardens, including large numbers of missing children, accounts of
assault and abuse faced by young girls, poor access to schools, schools not receiving
mid-day meal supplies for months and lack of access to clean drinking water.
Nai Pahel Project in Uttar Pradesh:
Nai Pahal intervention is a joint collaboration of UNICEF and ActionAid Association.
With an objective of identifying and mainstreaming out-of-school children including
children affected by seasonal migration. The joint intervention has been launched in
selected 20 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The selection of the districts has been done
based on various socio-economic indicators. Through the first phase of intervention
of the project we succeeded in making local communities functional and active for
establishing grievance redressal mechanism at Panchayat/local level. Local
communities (SMCs, PRI and duty bearers) became more accountable to redress their
grievances at local level.
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As result of our engagement 3,64,559 Out of School children between the age group
of 6-14 years have been identified by the Uttar Pradesh Through household survey.
A Volunteers’ conclave was organized at Lucknow in which more than 100 volunteers
participated. Volunteers meet (Prerak sammelan) was organized at Lucknow, Shrawasti,
Kushinagar, Lalitpur and Badaun districts. 1130 Volunteers attended this meet.
Making schools accessible to all by running of Supplementary Education Classes
Many children of marginalised and low-income families tend to leave or discontinue
their education due to prevalent gap in teaching-learning levels as they cannot afford
private tuitions or supplementary classes. ActionAid Association is committed to
create safe learning environment for children from last 5 decades and ensuring access
to education is one of our key agenda while focusing on the most marginalized. We
across India are running many centers for children and adolescents.
In Noida with the support of Adobe Foundation ensuring educational rights of
vulnerable children who are under the risk of child labour and abuse through UMANG
centers and Providing Educational support to children and Computer & English Literacy
to Adolescence girl. Through the intervention we could ensure 200 hours of computer
and English education to 253 adolescent girls till now.
ActionAid Association in Sonipat, Haryana is running 22 Ambedkar Multi Learning
Center. 750 children are attending weekly learning classes in the Ambedkar Multi
Learning Center in their villages. In Mansa, Punjab 18 children learning centers are
being run. In which 550 children are attending weekly learning classes in the Children
Learning Center in their villages. In Chamba, Himachal Pradesh 16 community
pathshala are running providing education to 500 children.
The Girl Child Education Programme in Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) in partnership with
Colgate has enrolled 670 students in Computer and English classes. The initiative is
supporting 360 girls and 310 boys to learn English and Computer literacy skills helping
them to gain confidence.
ActionAid Association in Vadodara, Gujarat through its Umeed Educational and
Support Center is reaching out to 150 children coming from marginalised communities.
The centre aims to Empower, and Support for the Women, girls and Children based
on the universal Human Rights Approach and Rights Consciousness.
In Nagaland ActionAid Association launched 6 new Children Centre known as ‘Meraki’
- a house of learning in 4 villages. A total of 291 children along with parents and
Anganwadi workers are actively involved in various activities and provided with

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educational books, TLMs (teaching-learning materials), and some fun games- helping
them along with the lesson they learn in their educational institution.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Bundelkhand Jai Bhim education centers playing vital role in building
secular and constitutional perspective along with education. In Bundelkhand , most of
the Dalits and poor families migrate for their livelihood, which affect school education
of the children. To prevent dropout and irregular education of Children, Jai Bhim
Education Center was established in Haripur block of Bundelkhand. 530 children are
regularly getting quality education in these centres and with the improvement in the
level of reading and learning of children, regularity and retention have increased in
government schools. These centres are playing an important role in resolving problems
and issues faced by Dalit communities. They are also helping in implementation of
activities of the project. In these 10 villages, all the children of Dalit society are going
to school regularly.
ActionAid Association in Muzaffarnagar, UP on national girl child day, felicitated
parents who encourage education of their girl child and take care of their health and
nutrition and give discrimination free environment in their family. Through this a
message was given among the community for discrimination free and safe upbringing
of girls in the family as well in the society.
Child friendly spaces in Jammu and Kashmir
Through its 100 CFSs in J&K we reached to more than 18000 children in the villages
of Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama and Anantnag districts with the aim of ensuring
community-based protection of children and promoting children’s participation in their
family and community settings. These CFSs provided a safe environment to children
where they participated in a variety of activities including sports, craft, drawing,
painting, debates, and other capacity development programmes. In addition, these safe
spaces acted as a platform to identify community children in need of special care and
protection and provided them the required support and referral services.
Strengthening ICDS and Health Support
ActionAid Association across India continuously liaising with ICDS and Asha workers
and invoking their support in immunization, complementary nutrition etc benefitting
more than 16200 children of 0-6 years. We have also organized awareness on
breastfeeding and importance of nutritious foods during and post pregnancy for
mothers.
Trafficking:

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On the issue of trafficking ActionAid Association is currently working in the states of
West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan. In these states we
have been involved in rescue, rehabilitation and even repatriation of trafficked persons
across borders. We have also been involved in providing inputs to laws on Anti
trafficking bill – we sought that only registered placement agencies should be made
legal and govt should have data of all these agencies
In Bihar alone through our campaign on trafficking and child labour we were able to
rescue 253 Child Labourers.
Supporting children in disaster
As we know children are the worst sufferers in any disaster or crises. In disasters many
families lose their livelihoods and employment. This further leads to food crisis,
malnutrition, impact on physical and emotional wellbeing. The inability of moving out
and meeting their friends further increase the frustration among the children. Living in
continuous fear of the pandemic affects mental health of adults and more so of
children. Starting with mild behavioural issues it can aggravate to neurotic issues such
as anxiety, stress, fear, loss of sleep, depression, etc. Education of the children of
marginalized communities also get affected during this period due to lack of resources.
From last few years we are continuously witnessing natural disasters of various kinds
– floods, cyclones, and drought – hitting different parts of the country. While
responding to the disaster we have reached out to the most vulnerable immediately,
especially children. In Tamil Nadu for Cyclone Gaja affected children we started Child
Activity and Learning Centres (CALCs) in 10 worst affected villages, In Karnataka flood
150 children of class 1st to 5th were provided study material support, many children
were given training on disasters, disaster risk reduction and rescue operations during
various disaster occurred last year. We have addressed the issues of education and
child protection in our response activities.

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 EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The country this year saw several disasters, particularly floods sweeping across many
states of the country. We also responded to drought situation, in the Bundelkhand
region of Uttar Pradesh through intensifying our efforts in rejuvenating, restoration of
water structures and through water literacy campaigns in collaboration with people's
organisations and volunteers. This initiative has been reported under the water
commons section.
Across all these initiatives, ActionAid Association stayed true to its values of reaching
out to the most vulnerable communities, in its need assessment exercises. This need
assessment was done in collaboration with local organisations and community
members. To avoid duplication and coverage of efforts and support, we were
constantly in touch with agencies working to provide relief and support in those areas.
We also mandatorily set up transparency mechanisms listing out the cost of each
items and the number of people we reached out to. We also set up grievance boxes
for the communities to share any complaints which they might not be able to share
openly.
Most importantly, our efforts did not stop in just providing relief, but we ensured
linkages to entitlements and compensation packages.
ActionAid Association reached out to communities affected by flood across 7 states.
We provided food to around 44215 individuals and hygiene support to 3545
individuals across these states.
Odisha
South Asia Media Talk: Popularizing the Citizens’ Agenda on Emergency Response
ActionAid Association supported Young India to organise the South Asia Media Talk to
discuss on the issue and trend of disasters in Odisha and its Impact. About 200
representatives from CSOs, Community Radio and people from disaster affected areas
of Odisha joined this meeting and shared their feedback and ideas on how to engage
further with Government on the agenda that has emerged from the findings of the
Citizen’s Report.
People’s Convention on Climate Change Impacts & Building Disaster Resilient for
Ensuring Safety of vulnerable and Marginalized Communities in Disaster Prone Areas
of Odisha through Training of Women on Resilience Building

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On Disaster Preparedness Day (celebrated every year on Oct 29th, commemorating
the Super Cyclone which hit Odisha) ActionAid Association with People’s Action for
Climate Justice (PACJ) organised a one-day People’s Convention on Climate Change
Impacts & Building Disaster Resilient Communities. The member organisation of the
forum from 20 districts of Odisha joined this programme. Besides, more than 200
participants including the fish workers, salt workers, leaders of tribal communities
depending upon forest, leaders of Dalit workers, traditional art and craft persons from
20 district and academicians from different universities in Odisha joined this
programme and contributed to the discussion around climate change. About 100
women leaders from Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts, trained by ActionAid
Association on disaster risk reduction and shared their experience.
Policy engagement on the issues related to Emergencies:
• Being empowered through the leadership training of Disaster Risk Reduction,
the women leaders of the project areas of Jagatsinghpur and Ganjam district
joined a state level forum called state level people’s solidarity forum and shared
their suggestions related to rescue and resilience building.
• The people of Cyclone Phani affected areas shared their issues before the
Minister of Electronics & Information Technology, Sports & Youth Services, Shri
Tusharkanti Behera and asked for the support of Government in getting the titles
for the homestead land, permanent concrete house, drinking water facility,
Anganwadi Centre for children. Also, the members together handed over a
written document including all the supports they want from Government. The
Minister committed to work on the land and housing issue of the community on
priority basis since the community is most vulnerable.
• A citizens’ report was prepared to collate information related to people’s
opinion on the emergency response undertaken by the Government to support
the affected community in the aftermath of the Cyclone. The findings of the
report were shared in different forums of CSOs and people’s organization. Also,
the findings were incorporated as the agenda of the peoples and shared with
concerned authorities of the Government for necessary action.
• An analysis was undertaken to understand how the compensation package
declared by government is compensatory against the damage that has
happened, and the gaps was shared with Government through the forum of
CSOs.

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Response to Cyclone Phani and Cyclone Bulbul
AA in Odisha reached out to the most vulnerable communities when the two cyclone-
Phani and Bulbul, impacted the state.
Phani cyclone battered the coastal districts - particularly that of Puri and Bhubaneswar.
With our three decade old experience in disaster response, we immediately
responded by reaching out to the most vulnerable in these districts - both in urban
and rural areas. ActionAid Association’s Bhubaneswar team had immediately provided
shelter to 40 families in its office premises in Bhubaneswar and also provided food.
The regional team also visited team visited Konark, Gop and Puri and Bhubaneswar
slums for rapid assessment of loss and damage. Based on the assessment ActionAid
Association distributed dry ration to 3000 families in affected areas of Puri district and
in Bhubaneswar slums.
Relief extended
Distribution of Hygiene kit , Household materials and Educational kits
We reached out to 1150 families across three blocks of the Puri providing them with
hygiene kits and household materials. We further reached to another 675 women with
hygiene kits which was deeply appreciated given the women.
A total of 1230 children were provided educational kits which resulted in regularity of
students in schools. Odisha minister for information Technology and sports and youth
distributed these kits to the students and also committed to address the land and
housing issues of the communities affected by Phani on priority basis.
Distribution of Water Containers: 60 families were provided 20 litre capacity of water
container in Puri district.
Distribution of Solar Lamps: affected families in rural areas face difficulties at night to
do household chores and go to outside. Chances of snake bite are more during
aftermath of disaster. Solar lamps were provided to 60 affected families.
Engaging volunteers
Getting the news of devastation by Phani cyclone in Khurdha and Puri districts, 25
volunteers from Antaranga LRP ( we have more than 11000 youth volunteers trained
in Kondhmal district through our long term partner- Jagruti in the project named
Antaranga )were sent to Bhubaneswar for relief work. They stayed there for one week
providing relief, road clearance, sanitation, and supply of drinking water in six slums of
Bhubaneswar.

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Then Antaranga volunteers moved to most affected Balarampur GP, Ketakipatna GP of
Satyabadi Block and Palanka, Hramhani and Talamal GPs of Bramhagiri blocks. They
supported in providing relief, road clearance, sanitation and supply of drinking water.
The volunteers also did an assessment of damages of those areas. Intervention made
by Antaranga volunteers was highlighted in local newspaper. The Puri district
administration requested Antaranga to monitor the relief compensation packages
provided by government to avoid pilferage in Brahmagiri and Krushnaprasad blocks.
In Kondhmal district too, there were forecasts of Phani cyclone impacting the lives
and livelihood of people there.
Support extended
A total of 50 Antaranga Volunteers worked from 2nd May 2019 to 4th May’2019 in 18
GPs of Daringbadi block, as the block was announced as vulnerable. Our volunteers
were engaged in 18 GPs for evacuation of 2256 people, having thatched and asbestos
houses to GP and school buildings. They were engaged in preparation of cooked food
and take care of the people in shelters. Fortunately, Phani had a mild effect with
moderate rain.
Engaging with the government
Beyond providing immediate support, AA along with other continuously engaged with
Government for Phani affected families – a series of meetings were held with district
administration of Puri to ensure correct identification of beneficiaries, progresses and
challenges .As part of ensuring that all are aware of the provisions and entitlements of
the government- 60 PRI members were sensitized on the compensation packages .We
also sensitized 120 SHG leaders on the compensation packages.
Highlighting issues of discrimination faced by Dalit communities
Discrimination in disaster relief and rehabilitation works has been quite regular in
Odisha and elsewhere in India. The communities who have been discriminated since
generations find difficult to secure a place in cyclone shelters or get relief and
rehabilitation packages. This causes enormous distress in times of disaster. In Odisha
we have encountered this phenomenon where Dalits were being compelled to vacate
cyclone shelters in midst cycolne and have highlighted the same through articles in
local and national newspapers and journals
Response to Assam Floods
In 2019, we reached out to the flood affected in Baksha and Morigaon during the floods
. We worked in collaboration with our partners and distributed hygiene Kits to 1770

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families. In addition to that, other work related to rehabilitation involved
decontamination of water sources – mostly of hand pumps; ponds and wells. One of
the major contributions was towards installation of 16 numbers of Iron Removal
Filtration Units in 13 villages. This will ensure that 1600 families will have access to iron
free safe drinking water.
Response to Bihar Floods
Bihar faced floods twice in 2019. In the first phase , when Sitamarhi district was ravaged
by the incessant rains and the subsequent floods. A total of 1200 families were
provided with hygiene kit, mosquito net and Tarpaulin ground sheets.
In the second phase , when Patna was under water for several days following
continuous rainfall, we immediately reached out to 1000 most vulnerable families of
10 slums of Patna. ActionAid Association has distributed dry ration kit containing
flattened rice, jaggery, salt and barley to these families. We continued our support to
reach out to the most vulnerable .
In total 3960 families were directly benefited
Response to Maharashtra Floods
In Maharashtra Sangli, Kolhapur and Satara districts were severely affected by the 2019
floods. ActionAid Association and the local partners conducted meetings and focus
group discussion with the affected families and the panchayats of the affected villages
to get a detail understanding of the extent of damage and the kind of relief that is
required. The talukas that were chosen for relief were near the rivers and dams which
had led to the floods in those districts. We reached out to 650 families by providing
hygiene kits and nutrition kits to 450 pregnant and lactating women.
While on one hand Maharashtra battled floods, on the other hand the state has been
facing the spectre of drought every year.
Our teams visited the worst-hit regions to take stock of drought and discuss water
crises with local networks, activists, legislators, farmers, farmers’ widows, local officials
etc. As part of our drought relief efforts in Marathwada, we distributed water in parched
regions of Badnapur taluka of Jalna district. Besides, drip irrigation sets were distributed
to several drought-affected farmers from Badnapur and Aurangabad. Community
kitchens for the elderly were also run in the worst-affected villages.
In addition, we implemented cash-for-work programmes for the cleaning, repair,
recharge and rejuvenation of water structures. During this critical period of drought,

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we also provided support in terms of fodder for livestock, thereby helping several
vulnerable families restore their livestock-based livelihoods.
Engaging with Government and Civil Society Organisation
In order to understand drought better and to look at its various aspects and causes
from the perspectives of local communities, nearly 350 civil society organizations from
the state came together and held consultations over the last one year and a half in
regions that are worst affected by drought, namely Western Maharashtra, Konkan,
North Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha. Organized with a view to also
formulating measures – both immediate and long-term – to combat drought, these
meetings saw active participation of farmers, agricultural workers and other
marginalized groups, besides activists and academics. Based on the observations,
learnings and people’s voices emerging out of these consultative processes, ActionAid
Association, along with Maharashtra Lok Adhikar Manch, put together a Citizens’ Report
on Drought in Maharashtra. Besides containing updates from the regional
consultations, the report carries several articles contributed by activists and experts
on the issues of water, agriculture and drought. The report presents a comprehensive
analysis of the persistent drought scenario in the state and suggests measures to
combat it. . Rich discussions took place on the state-specific realities of drought, and
experiences and learnings shared with Mr. Avinash Mahatekar, Honourable Minister of
State for Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, who was
present on the occasion of the release of the report.
Response to Karnataka Floods
The floods this year in Karnataka affected 22 out of 30 of its districts.
AA along with its partners provided relief to most vulnerable families affected by the
flood Bagalkot, Belagavi and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka.The families we
reached out to belongs to historically marginalized communities such as families
affected by Devadasi system, Dalits, Siddi communities living in deep forests and Gowli
tribes Dry ration for 15 days and household kits were provided to a total of 403
families. ActionAid Association and its local partner organisation reached out to the
most vulnerable community and for smooth implementation of relief distribution
activities.
Response to Cyclone Gaja in Tamil Nadu
In the aftermath of cyclone Gaja along with partners reached out to nearly 500 most
vulnerable families in Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts with dry rations and utensils.

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In 10 worst-affected villages of Nagapattinam district we chose to start Child Activity
and Learning Centres (CALCs) in collaboration with our partners. Programmes have
been organized for the capacity-building of teachers on varied subjects. Along with
inputs in teaching and learning, the repair of school infrastructure was undertaken,
including the fixing of roofs, floors, walls, rest rooms and water-tanks.
Rebuilding Education and Schools affected by Gaja Cyclone
ActionAid Association in partnership with SNEHA had facilitated 10 child activity
centres in Nagapattinam and Karaikkal districts benefitting 3000 children directly and
8000 children indirectly. This activity promoted bringing the children of the area
together, provide an opportunity to bring out hidden potentialities. Through these child
activity centre various activities like children panchayats, competitions, exposure visits,
commemorating and celebrating important days are being organised. The children
from the child activity centres are being trained in beach profiling, a technique using
scientific tool to assess the changes such as sea erosion and accretion, rise in sea
level and changes in the sand texture that occur on the coast to understand the
ecological changes. A total of 40 teachers have been trained and appointed to run
these centres
During the year 2019, ActionAid Association has been able to reach out to the most
affected children and schools of Nagapattinam district by providing shelter support
and rehabilitation support for schools affected by Gaja Cyclone.
Kerala Floods response
Our flood rehabilitation support continued in 2019 in Kerala, after the massive floods
struck the state in 2018.
Rebuilding community infrastructure and houses
We repaired 5 schools, 5 anganwadis and 1 community hall in Idukki district. We
repaired 13 houses in Pandalam Municipality. We also extended livelihood support of
organic farming for women in Idukki district. Saplings were provided for all the women
who attended the training on organic farming and the saplings have been planted.
In Pathinamthitta District, Pandhalam Municipality, we were able to complete
construction of 4 new Anganwadi centres. These centres will benefit approximately
1366 families. Two of these centres have been handed over to the community. Since
ActionAid Association has been directly working on the field with the community
members and government officials, right from identification of the space for

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construction up until handing over the building to the community, ActionAid
Association has been actively involved.
In Pathinamthitta district, Pandhalam municipality, with the support from Colgate
Palmolive, we have repaired 32 houses; 4 out of these houses were completely
damaged and required complete re construction. We repaired another 13 houses in
Pandalam Municipality.
Livelihood support
We have formed 25 women’s collectives in partnership with Kudumbashree to provide
livelihood support to women in Idukki District. These 25 collectives, consisting of
approximately 225 women have received training in organic farming in spices and had
also received 13 different saplings that were carefully taken into consideration the
need of the community.
Response to Delhi Civil Conflict
We responded to those affected by communal riots in North East Delhi, in Feb 2020.
Action Aid started its intervention to provide relief materials to the victims of the
communal riots. Along with community leaders and volunteers from the affected
community, ActionAid Association identified most affected victims for the emergency
food relief. ActionAid Association identified single women and women headed families
for the ration kits distribution. A total of 200 such households have been identified
from 5 areas in North East Delhi districts and provided dry ration kits to each of the
identified households.

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