JEEVAN – WOMEN LED EMPOWERING ACTION (WLEA)

The Jeevan-Women Led Empowering Action (WLEA) programme, implemented by 10 areas in Maharashtra, aimed to increase women’s participation and decision-making in both agriculture and governance. It also sought to protect and conserve tribal identity and equitable traditional governance systems, which in turn bolstered women’s freedom and empowerment. Jeevan-WLEA focused on strengthening grassroots governance by fostering greater community involvement and enhancing their ownership of decision-making. The democratization of governance processes and the empowerment of communities were seen as crucial outcomes, leading to a greater realization of rights and more inclusive development. At its core, Jeevan embraced Empowering Animation, or people-led development, by initiating grassroots movements led and directed by women. While prioritizing women due to historical disadvantages, the program’s efforts benefited entire communities. Under women’s leadership, communities launched self-propelling, self-directing, continuous, and collective campaigns, leveraging their own resources to become agents of transformation. Jeevan was built on a robust reflection process, enabling partners to continuously review their relationship with communities and gradually transfer leadership to them. In essence, Jeevan was a women’s empowerment program designed to achieve broader community welfare and development.