Gamana

Gamana addresses educational gaps by reaching out to girls and women who never attended formal schooling or had to drop out. Its Supplementary Education programme connects them to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Partnering with Chezuba, Gamana employs a gender-sensitive curriculum and trains teachers with support from SLCW - Switzerland. This initiative provides a second chance at education, focusing on functional literacy offline and online. Thematic online sessions foster cultural awareness and understanding of societal issues. Despite mobility challenges, Gamana arranges exposure visits. Graduates form a supportive network, playing a crucial role in COVID-19 relief efforts, highlighting their potential as change agents in their communities alongside teachers.

Gamana is dedicated to addressing the global issue of violence against children, encompassing various forms like psychological, physical, and sexual violence, child labour, child marriage, and more, often within a child's daily life. The organisation recognizes that COVID-19 lockdowns have intensified the vulnerability of girls and women to violence, particularly within homes. Gamana places a significant emphasis on promoting gender equality, as it views gender inequality as a root cause of violence against girls. The organisation provides vital support to child victims of violence, offering assistance during legal proceedings and raising awareness of violence inflicted by both adults and peers. Additionally, Gamana prioritizes nurturing children's literacy skills and fostering a love for reading, ensuring ongoing motivation for learning, with community-based strategies complementing school-based activities.

Gamana empowers children, especially girls, through "Bala Panchayats" or Children's Parliament in five schools. These groups, formed with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), boost girls' participation in personal growth, developing confidence, leadership, and self-esteem. 457 girls gained ten life skills linked to SDGs via these Panchayats. Gamana aligns with the UN Convention on Child Rights, aiming to empower children to create positive changes. It upholds children's rights to expression, association, and information. This initiative encourages child participation for a better society, uncovering hidden leadership and refining talents. Bala Panchayats empower girls to speak confidently in a male-dominated society, elected democratically within their villages, engaging in activities supported by teachers, challenging gender norms.

Gamana's programme has effectively boosted girl enrolment in schools compared to non-programme schools, achieved through community mobilization and motivating parents and girls in each village. Attendance data highlights the success, with a 5% decrease in non-programme school enrolment compared to consistent positive results in programme schools. Increased community, SEC member, and parent involvement, supported by Gamana, sensitized schools and teachers to girls' needs, leading to improved teacher attitudes and commitment. Programme schools organised diverse activities like cultural events, sports, quizzes, fostering girls' confidence and teamwork. Collaborative Learning Techniques (CLT) have enhanced subject comprehension through group work and peer learning.

This programme addresses food insecurity by promoting non-farm economic activities and connecting families, particularly women, to Government social security benefits. It empowers women through rights-based interventions, ensuring equal opportunities and societal participation. In Narsapur Mandal, West Godavari, Gamana established Vasista Godavari Lace Made-ups Producer Company Limited (VGLMPC Ltd), training over two thousand beneficiaries and supporting five hundred with assets. It formed Common Interest Groups (CIGs) and provided advanced embroidery training. VGLMPC Ltd's products, including ladies' suits and bags, gained recognition through exhibitions. In Thullur Mandal, women aged 18-36 engage in applique, embroidery, and tailoring, improving their economic status and self-confidence through Gamana's vocational training.