Blog FeedWomen on the Front Lines of the Battle Against Hunger
Tomorrow, we depart India to return to the U.S. This brief visit has revealed to us the struggles and hopes the women here face. We have seen a side of India that only a program field visit could offer. Despite the prior knowledge that we would be traveling to one of India’s poorest regions, Bihar, no statistics could have prepared us for our visits with women who are at the front lines of the daily battle against chronic hunger and poverty.In the rural, agricultural landscape of deeply impoverished Bihar, I met Vimla Devi. Although Vimla could not tell me her age, or the age of her children, there was a number that she knew quite well: two. Not long ago, Vimla lost two of her children to a devastating disease in her village-malaria. Vimla and her family have very little to eat-they are lucky when their two daily meals of rice are accompanied by a few vegetables. About four times a month, she forgoes her meals altogether so that her children can eat. As an added struggle, one that is difficult to overstate, Vimla and the entire village belong to what was once a caste of “untouchables” in India. This caste system and its cultural stigmas still very much persist and will take a long time to eradicate.
Vimla is a hardworking, dedicated mother to her three living children. She and the other women in her remote village have decided to make change happen for themselves. They have formed a self-help group, which was set up by one of Reach India’s local partners (Narmda), and is only a few weeks old. Although her situation seems bleak, Vimla is hopeful for the change her work in this savings-based group might help bring about-like having money available for emergencies when she needs to buy food for her family. But the road ahead of her will be long. There is much to overcome.
Vimla’s story stands in contrast to the cheerful, vibrant youth we met earlier this week in West Bengal. We were visiting Freedom from Hunger’s project aimed at empowering adolescent girls in a country where few opportunities exist for them. This work gets to the heart of ending chronic hunger for the girls and their families by educating girls about the problems that exacerbate hunger: poor health, disempowerment, early marriage and pregnancy. These young girls, smiling and laughing, shared stories with us. Some of them, like Mumtaz, put into practice the education from their self-help group (formed through Reach India’s partner, SMVS) to assist fellow villagers recover from diarrhea. Previously, villagers had died of this disease. Imagine being a young girl and having such a tremendous impact on your community!
For all these women and girls, the road ahead is filled with both challenges and hope. As I have witnessed them taking steps toward their own brighter future, I am committed to taking my own steps. I want to ensure that the stories of Vimla and Mumtaz-and the many others like them-are heard. I hope you will share this blog with others and help us spread the word.
–Amber K. Stott, Senior Communications Manager, “live from India”
