Empowering Frontline Women Works with Sanhita

ICDS Anganwadi Workers & Helpers: A Pilot Initiative by SANHITA, Supported by the Rukmani Trust

About Sanhita

Sanhita, a pioneering Gender Resource Centre, is dedicated to fostering safe and equitable workplaces for women. Through its pilot project in select blocks of Howrah District, Sanhita focuses on raising awareness about sexual harassment at the workplace and the provisions of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. This initiative is designed to empower frontline women workers, particularly Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers, by building their capacity to combat workplace harassment and share critical knowledge within their communities.

Key Achievements (April – September 2024)

Capacity Building through Peer Educators:
21 Anganwadi Workers from 8 Gram Panchayats in Uluberia-II Block underwent peer educator training.
12 of these trainees are now actively disseminating workplace safety information to their peers.
Outreach and Awareness:
Directly reached 79 Anganwadi Workers through two orientation programs.
Indirectly impacted 154 additional workers, covering 72% of the workforce in the block.
Support from Local Governance:
80% of Gram Panchayats in the block actively supported the initiative.
Local bodies provided free venues for training and participated in the programs, enhancing the initiative’s credibility.
Sustained Information Flow:
Established a WhatsApp group and organized regular in-person meetings to maintain ongoing discussions and foster peer learning on workplace safety.

Expanding Reach and Sustainability

With support from the Rukmani Trust, Sanhita has adopted a Training of Peer Educators (ToT) model to promote sustainability and scalability. This approach focuses on equipping a select group of peer educators with in-depth knowledge about workplace safety and the 2013 Act. Instead of orienting every individual ICDS worker directly—an approach that is both resource-intensive and time-consuming—the ToT model enables efficient and widespread dissemination of information.
Continued dialogue through this project has also engaged Gram Panchayats, raising awareness among local governance members about workplace harassment and the legal framework to address it.

Looking Ahead

Sanhita, with steadfast support from the Rukmani Trust, aims to deepen its impact by:

• Expanding the reach of its initiatives to more blocks and districts.
• Strengthening the network of peer educators.
• Promoting sustained advocacy for workplace safety through community and governance partnerships.
  
  This initiative not only empowers Anganwadi Workers but also lays the groundwork for a safer, more informed, and supportive working environment for frontline women workers across the region.

Website: www.sanhita-grc.org 

SANHITA has a Child Protection Policy and is committed to safeguarding children from all kinds of abuses
SANHITA is committed to providing a workplace free from sexual harassment