Based on my observations and experiences as an India Fellow at Aajeevika Bureau, it has been a struggle to have women out of their homes into collective or public spaces. There are countless reasons a woman might not want to attend these gatherings, or rather she may be unable to join. Her day revolves around endless chores: waking the children and other family members, working in the fields, caring for elderly relatives, cooking, cleaning, and, on top of it all, doing whatever work she can to earn a little income. This income, although often meagre, is crucial for the family’s survival, making it difficult to abandon.
Daily Struggles Women Face In Joining Collectives
Under these conditions, where time and resources are already scarce, women face additional constraints from the patriarchal setup they live in. They are questioned constantly about where they are going and why. Often, they are told to attend an event only if there is direct financial gain; otherwise, it’s considered a waste of time and money. Even when women refuse to yield to these restrictions and manage to become a part of something outside family, the consequences can be harsh. Although some support systems exist, a few women feel empowered to seek recourse. If they do face retaliation, where else can they turn?
Patriarchal Pressures On Women’s Freedom
Family dynamics add another layer of complexity. In many cases, returning to their parents’ home isn’t an option, especially without a ‘good reason’. If they return due to domestic violence, the advice they often receive is to reconcile with their husbands. Occasionally, women defend their husbands, explaining that he is also under pressure, perhaps jobless and that tensions flare up. They might say, “Yes, he raises his hand, but it’s nothing compared to the horror stories I’ve heard from other neighbours.” For some, there’s a strange comfort in knowing that while their circumstances are hard, others endure worse.
So, how does one support women from already marginalized communities, those who lack access to resources like education, healthcare, and employment, and those who face restrictive social conditions? How does one create an environment where, little by little, they feel free to speak and share their thoughts? The goal is to create a space where, if nothing else, they can begin by sharing their issues with others, realizing they are not alone. In this way, the sense of a collective is fostered. The more they come together, the more they converse, the more questions they ask, and the more determined they become to seek solutions.
Building A Space For Support And Connection
One collective that has been fairly successful in achieving this is the Rani Laxmi Bai Sangathan, based in Losing, Udaipur. This collective is a part of the larger Aravali Majdoor Nirman Suraksha Sangh Union. Though its numbers may seem small, its strength lies in the participation and the vision it represents. The journey has been long—from a time when it was challenging for women to leave home without a male family member to now, where they are raising issues related to MGNREGA, as well as local infrastructure concerns like roads, electricity, and water.
How Rani Laxmi Bai Sangathan Is Bringing Change
When asked what this means to her, Dhupi Bai, one of the earliest members to join the union and its long-serving chairperson, she says, “The situation has changed a lot now from what it was. As far back as I can remember, we didn’t even have a place to organize meetings. It was much more difficult to convince others to attend, and we had countless arguments with our families just so we could be here.” She quickly adds,
I’m happy with where we are now, but as a collective, I feel we need to grow at a much quicker pace, and we should start discussing issues beyond just NREGA, like education and health.
Challenges Involving The Next Generation
For young women who have often married early and migrated to places like Losing, finding a collective like Rani Laxmi Bai has been a relief, providing a space where they can openly discuss their problems. For many, it feels like an extended family. Of course, the collective faces its own set of challenges, from deciding on strategies and achieving its goals to difficulty of attracting the younger generation. The older union members understand the struggle it took to reach this point—where, if a woman says she’s going out, even to attend a meeting, no one sneers or questions her.
Over time, they’ve demonstrated not only the material benefits of joining the collective but also the intangible ones, like freedom to speak up and discuss issues once considered taboo here, such as gender violence. While it may take time before they can take concrete action on these issues. Everything begins with acceptance, and this space has given women, young and old, that opportunity.
However, this doesn’t guarantee that younger women will necessarily want to join. Some of the problems that originally spurred the collective’s formation may no longer be as pressing. In certain areas, the government has stepped in, addressing issues that were once central to the union’s work. If the union’s focus doesn’t evolve, it will get slightly difficult to attract the younger generation.
Additionally, young women are now exposed to the world of social media, which may influence their thinking and what they seek from the union. For some, the question now is: What can the union offer me at this stage of my life? Has it changed the way they interact with the outside world? If so, how? Are they using these platforms as an escape from daily chores, or for education, entertainment, or something else? These are questions that must be explored to better shape the union’s approach in these changing times.
Commitment And Sacrifice For A Better Future
Despite these challenges, there are still many motivated young girls and women who come to meetings not just for help with government schemes. They are here because they want to be. They are eager to learn about their rights, understand social and government structures, and figure out how to make these systems work for them rather than against them. Some have watched their mothers participate in the collective, shaping a positive outlook on their own futures and what they can achieve.
They’re learning what it means to be a woman worker in this region and are focused on securing a better future for their children. If that means occasionally giving up a day’s wages to attend a meeting or going to the panchayat or other government offices to demand action, they are ready to make that sacrifice.
As long as they are here, there’s hope; things will keep moving – maybe slowly but surely, and perhaps, with new perspectives from younger voices and modern influences, their collective power will grow.
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