Women representatives script change in Bihar villages

Patna: Women representatives in Bihar’s local bodies are taking a lead in preventing child marriage, improving healthcare, creating livelihood opportunities and addressing women’s safety, nearly two decades after the state introduced 50% reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies, a press release issued from the Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) said on Wednesday. According to IPRD, Bihar introduced 50% reservation for women in local bodies in 2006-07.

Women mukhiyas, ward members and municipal representatives are now working in areas such as health, sanitation, education, livelihood and women’s security, while Jeevika self-help groups are supporting livelihood and community initiatives. The department said that in Paigambarpur panchayat of Muzaffarpur’s Minapur block, mukhiya Priyanka Kumari has made tuberculosis prevention a priority and pledged to make the panchayat TB-free.

She has adopted identified TB patients and provided them nutritious food packets to encourage them to complete treatment. According to the statement, mukhiya Pratima Devi of Nalanda’s Telhara panchayat has focused on generating rural livelihoods.

Around 150 families are engaged in goat rearing and more than 450 people in dairy activities, while pig farming, poultry and beekeeping have provided additional livelihood options. IPRD said women associated with self-help groups in the panchayat are also making garments, leather jackets, aluminium utensils and paper plates, besides growing mushrooms.

Their products are being sold in Patna, Nalanda, Jehanabad and nearby areas. The department said that in Bagha Khal panchayat of Muzaffarpur’s Gaighat block, mukhiya Vibha Kumari helped set up child parliaments in three schools and green clubs in two.

More than 30 night meetings and street plays were organised to spread awareness about child marriage, education and health, while 17 school dropouts were re-enrolled. According to IPRD, ward member Phool Kumari Devi, 59, of Darbhanga’s Ladho panchayat has worked on sanitation, health, disaster management and women’s safety.

After identifying an isolated road as a safety concern, she approached the local police station seeking regular patrolling. Women representatives also helped get a sanitary pad vending machine and disposal unit installed at a middle school.

The department said that in Muzaffarpur’s Saraiya block, ward members Meena Devi and Phoolkumari Devi, with support from a Jeevika group, intervened in the proposed marriages of two 15-year-old girls, Nandini Kumari and Sonam Kumari. According to the statement, they persuaded the families to postpone the marriages and allow the girls to continue their education.

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