Inclusivity in Decision-making: Empowering Women in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu District:

At a recent SJC meeting held in Puthukkudiyiruppu, located in the Mullaitivu district, a pressing issue regarding the representation and participation of women in community decision-making was brought to the forefront.

It was evident that a majority of the women attending the SJC meeting felt marginalized and excluded from the monthly Rural Development Society (RDS) meetings. This was a concern because these RDS meetings were critical in shaping the developmental trajectory and welfare initiatives of the region (From the late 1980s W/RDSs were also allowed to take contracts from government departments for various public works for which they receive priority and are also exempt from tendering).

The women expressed their desire to actively participate in these meetings and contribute to the community’s development initiatives. Recognizing the importance of this concern and the potential impact of women’s participation in local governance, an application was filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The intent was to seek clarity on the rules governing the participation of women in RDS meetings and to understand if there were any existing barriers preventing their inclusion.

The response to the RTI request was both enlightening and empowering. It was clarified that women were, in fact, allowed to attend the RDS meetings, irrespective of their membership status in the Women Rural Development Society (WRDS). This was a significant revelation, as the general perception had been otherwise. Furthermore, the clarification also highlighted an additional empowering aspect: Women who were already members of the WRDS could also seek membership in the RDS (Development Projects are given to RDS by the District Secretariats rather than to WRDS), thereby gaining a more active role in the decision-making processes.

Armed with this information, the women of Puthukkudiyiruppu are now poised to take a more active role in their community’s developmental activities. Their inclusion in the RDS meetings would not only bring diverse perspectives but also ensure that the needs and concerns of the entire community, including women, are addressed adequately.