Church's Auxiliary for Social Action

Incorporating gender mainstreaming into community and youth leadership development is a core program focus. It involves raising awareness in communities about various gender-related issues, such as violence against women and girls, gender equity, empowerment, and domestic violence. Additionally, the program emphasizes creating livelihood opportunities for both women and men. The overarching goal of gender mainstreaming is to foster leadership skills among women while simultaneously addressing gender sensitization within the program's operational areas.

Sustainable livelihood has become a significant challenge for marginalized communities, exacerbated by the widening wealth gap, which increases their vulnerability. CASA is actively supporting community groups in the target areas to identify and pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities. These options encompass agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, various income-generating projects, and community forest rights-based livelihoods. This approach will also contribute to revitalizing the ecological aspects of the target areas. CASA aims to establish connections with government programs related to livelihood options for the institutions developed through institution and community building efforts.

Leadership development is a central strategy within CASA's Core program. Empowered leaders play a pivotal role in mobilizing communities on matters related to land, water, livelihood, food security, and the attainment of rights and entitlements through constructive dialogues with relevant authorities. CASA places a special emphasis on cultivating youth leadership, recognizing that young individuals are highly engaged in development issues and are environmentally conscious, particularly concerning land, forests, and various government schemes.

The vicious cycle of abject poverty and limited livelihood prospects adversely impacts the mental and physical well-being of children, leading to school dropouts who engage in labour. CASA strives for the holistic advancement of these children in two states by providing them with a chance to recommence their education at CASA's Bridge schools. This initiative not only safeguards child rights but also establishes Child Labour Free Zones.

CASA's program is underway in the drought-stricken Yavatmal district of Maharashtra, where small farmers, sharecroppers, women, landless individuals, and other vulnerable populations grapple with overwhelming debts and the risk of suicide. The initiative focuses on addressing farmer suicides and improving livelihoods by promoting sustainable agricultural methods and enhancing the community's ability to withstand environmental challenges, among other approaches.