In rural India, women are boldly reclaiming public spaces through self-help groups (SHGs) and collectives. These gatherings are transforming village dynamics, challenging patriarchal norms and enabling economic empowerment.
On the morning of the 22nd of every month, Bijadandi’s main road bursts into life as women clad in brown sarees gather at their cluster-level federation office. The street buzzes with activity with women in public spaces.
At tea shops, groups of women chat about the pressing issues in their village, preparing for the upcoming meeting. Nearby, others wait at the photocopy shop, getting copies of documents they need to access government schemes or secure loans for their ventures.
Seeing so many women in public spaces is overwhelming and heartening, especially in a community shaped by patriarchal norms where such sights are rare.
Across rural India women collectives are sparking a quiet revolution. These groups are not only creating new spaces for women but also reclaiming old ones. They play a crucial role in reshaping the narrative around public spaces, making them more inclusive and accessible.
In rural India, public spaces are typically designed by and for men, limiting women’s access due to safety concerns and patriarchal norms. Women’s mobility is often restricted to areas where their labour is needed, and they must seek permission to leave their homes. This gendering of space significantly restricts their freedom and participation.
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Prof. Ashwini Deshpandey notes that social norms have historically limited women’s participation in the labour workforce. However, women collectives such as self help groups (SHGs), gram sangathans, women-centric farmer producer companies (FPCs), and cluster-level federations (CLFs) are challenging these norms. They advocate for inclusive and equitable spaces driving change in rural India.
“Before engaging with the gram sangthan and CLF, I thought the panchayat space belonged to men only. I rarely visited gram panchayats. But after understanding its importance, I have become an important part of panchayat planning and implementation. Now, more and more women are coming to the panchayat after training and discussions at the CLF level,” said Kavitri from Khamer Kheda village in Madhya Pradesh.
After forming collectives like SHGs, women began participating in meetings, socialising with others, and gradually taking ownership of village decisions. Now, women from SHGs are the majority at panchayat meetings, raising their concerns at various levels.
Women collectives have become key agents of change in their villages. The government supports these efforts by allocating schemes to SHGs, such as preparing food for schoolchildren and managing village markets. Gram sangathan sub-committees monitor village activities and CLFs implement various projects.
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These collectives also organise events like International Women’s Day, Nutrition Day and general meetings to celebrate their achievements. Women participate in games, activities, plays and songs, accessing spaces such as schools, markets and health institutions. Through these initiatives, women are transforming public spaces and asserting their presence.
According to Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), there were 9 million SHGs with nearly 100 million women members as of December 2023. This averages to 14 SHGs per village, meaning one in eight Indian women is an SHG member. Each SHG helps 8 to 10 women start businesses, promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Since 2011, the government has centered its poverty alleviation programmes around SHGs. The Economic Survey 2022-23 notes that SHG credit linking and disbursement have steadily grown over the past decade.
These new spaces offer women a safe place to share their thoughts and unite. In rural India, women collectives lead initiatives such as establishing cooperatives, community centres, and public gathering spaces. These hubs foster social interaction, skill-building, decision-making and empowerment.
“My life was once confined to household activities, with little say in my home. After joining collectives and receiving training, I gained self-confidence. Now, I have a voice both at home and in the community. Leading the no-alcohol movement in my village shows that we can make an impact and have a say in public spaces too,” said Urmila from Gahna village.
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Women collectives also reclaim spaces dominated by patriarchal norms. For instance, in Bijadandi, women prepare village development plans, integrate them with panchayat plans and participate in block-level meetings, leading to multidimensional community development.
Despite these wonderful strides, women in rural India still face many challenges in accessing and reclaiming public spaces. The true empowerment of these initiatives remains debated, with critics highlighting the “patriarchal bargain.”
This concept suggests that gender relations are constantly contested and renegotiated, allowing some mobility but still under patriarchal control. Additionally, factors like caste, class and ethnicity worsen these challenges.
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The lead image on top shows women participating at their village collective meeting (Photo courtesy Ashish Kumar Yadav).
Ashish Kumar Yadav is an associate practitioner for Transform Rural India (TRI) in Bijadandi, Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh.
