Analyzing the importance of funding on gender focused empowerment programs

• In Event: 3247 - Open Topic on Sociology of Development

Abstract

The paper presents a critical look at the importance and impact on funding priorities for women’s empowerment programs (specifically those that target violence against women-VAW) at an area that has been declared “developed” by the government. The location of research is in Gujarat, India, a “model state” with zero VAW incidents. Based on seven years of research experience in the state, and drawing from a range of qualitative data that involves interviews and participant observations, findings suggest that for social and cultural changes to take place, it required decades and generations of support, as changes in these areas are slower compared to economic programs. These programs are often dependent on donor funds, and the impact of empowerment is often not fully developed before funding runs out, as government and international funding agencies are no longer prioritizing gender equality programs in the state due to its “developed” status. Local women’s organizations now depend on grants that come through corporate social responsibility (CSR). These funds, like all resources from funding agencies, come with their own dictates on how the money is to be used (sanitation; education; health versus tackling VAW), leaving the organizations’ goals of ending gender inequality compromised. The impact of the lack of funds is felt more in the programs that focus on ending VAW, compared to the ones that focus on economic empowerment.

Author

• Soma Chaudhuri, Michigan State University