1. Empowering women and increasing women participation through “All Women Scheme” in Gurap G. P. under Dhaniakhali Block in Hooghly District SUCCESS STORY- I

2. MGNREGA is a significant tool for women empowerment as women job seeker are being paid equal wages to that of their male counterparts. To increase women participation in MGNREGS, the Dhaniakhali block administration decided to start “All Women Scheme” in all of its Gram Panchayats. Gurap Gram Panchayat was selected as the pilot G.P. to implement the same. To start with, a scheme named Re- excavation of ‘Dutta Pukur’ (A community Pond) has been selected. IEC activities were under taken in order to encourage local women wage seekers in a campaign mode. Efforts were also taken to sensitize SHGs to make them aware about the rights and entitlement of wage seekers under MGNREGA. Community leaders, ASHA, Anganwari workers were involved in this awareness campaign. The leading role was taken in this campaign by the Prodhan Gurap G.P. who happens to be a woman. Display Board at work site Women job seeker working in the field

3. Women having requisite qualification have been selected from the SHGs and were trained to work as mates (Worksite Supervisors). The work started on 17.04.2013 with 3 supervisors and 80 nos. of women workers. The work continued for ten days. The said scheme has a remarkable impact in the locality. It gave them confidence and a sense of pride as all persons involved in this scheme (Starting from Wage seekers, Supervisors, Nirman Sahayak upto Prodhan) were women. It has become an example for the women of adjoining villages that the illiterate village women could also become financially self sufficient and contribute to the income of their family with the help of MGNREGA. Thus it has no more confined as merely District Magistrate, Hooghly with MLA, ADM(G), ADM(D),SDO, Prodhan, NS, Supervisor and Women Labourers in the Field. a scheme of MGNREGA but has become an instance and inspiration for rural women in the path of their empowerment. Now, “all women scheme” have been started in all the Sansads in Gurap Gram Panchayat under Dhaniakhali Block. The Hooghly District Administration decided to replicate the same in all the Gram Sansads of every Gram Panchayat under its jurisdiction.

4. THE SCHEME AT A GLANCE Name of the Scheme Date of commencement Date of completion Total Cost (RS.) Person days created EstimatedActual 800 Re-excavation of Dutta Pukur 17.04.201326.04.2013 138354/-133848/-