Gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls
Communities in the North East region (NER) of India are egalitarian and are of diverse socio-cultural and ethnic backgrounds which give space to women in terms of their visibility or mobility. But patriarchal norms in patriliny and matriliny, customary laws, impacts of conflict situations among others, are reasons which disadvantage women’s position in society. GBV is a cause and consequence of such inequality and NEN remains firm in its position to end GBV. Our strategies and lived experiences have demystified that women are in better positions in the NER than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. GBV is pervasive in private spaces, workplaces and public places. We have been at the forefront of addressing and redressing gender-based violence against women and girls in communities, both urban and rural. NEN has adopted a multisectoral community approach to mitigate GBV using multiple strategies which include enhancing grassroots feminist leadership; establishing safe spaces for women; conducting domestic violence casework; organising global campaigns at local levels; initiating interface with government agencies; publishing factsheets and mobilising women, youth and all members in communities to join NEN’s movement.
Good Governance and State Accountability
There is a noticeable absence of women’s representation in the public domain despite the freedom of mobility experienced by women in the North East region (NER) of India. Women’s participation in decision-making processes is negligible. This situation not only perpetuates gender inequality and power. In the pursuit of NEN’s vision to attain substantive gender equality, the significance of good governance and state accountability cannot be overlooked. The presence of adequate laws, policies, and services alone is not sufficient; it is equally important to ensure that women have access to these provisions and entitlements. NEN makes efforts to identify and address gaps and challenges within the system. This entails advocating for effective implementation of gender-sensitive laws, policies, and services and ensuring women’s access. We work closely with Government agencies through various collaborative trainings, meetings and dialogues. In this way, we promote active participation and effective leadership in governance at all levels.
Livelihood and Resilience
In a rapidly changing social, cultural, political, economic and ecological context, diverse communities in the northeast region are increasingly facing insurmountable challenges such as climate change impacts, market shocks, conflicts, and other changes in the environment, making it difficult to sustain their lives and livelihoods. Enabling communities and women to respond to these changes, uncertainty and adversity, have become our priorities. In order to build social, economic and ecological resilience for communities and individuals NEN works with, we support and promote livelihood diversity. Our stakeholders include women, men, youth, and government and non-government partners, but women and girls constitute our primary stakeholders. NEN’s approach to support and promote livelihood diversity is through multiple strategies: strengthening traditional livelihood and knowledge systems & promoting new and innovative ideas. We facilitate capacity building and skill development trainings on farm and non-farm activities such as textile weaving and other crafts, and food processing; provide information and linkages to markets, tools, technology, extension services, credit, etc; build and support collective business enterprises led by women.
Natural Resource Regeneration
The Northeast region is a biodiversity hotspot in one of the most fragile environments today. Rapid ecosystem degradation, development-induced and natural disasters, changing aspirations of people and the increasing need for cash amongst others, have added more stress on natural resources, and forced communities to make difficult choices related to their resource rights and livelihoods. Climate change has further exacerbated the situation as communities are struggling with grave water scarcity, food insufficiency, malnutrition, poor health, and poverty amongst others. Recognising that the protection of ecological diversity and restoration of degrading ecosystems are keys to the survival and well-being of planet, women and all persons, NEN engages with multi-stakeholders to protect, strengthen, restore, and revive biodiversity and natural ecosystems. NEN has adopted diverse strategies such as community mobilisation and awareness generation on the protection of ecological diversity; initiating innovative programmes with youth and children; sustainable management of natural resources; regenerative local food production, consumption and marketing; research and documentation; interface with policymakers, fostering partnership with Government and non-government agencies.