‘Mahila chaupals’ to give rural women a space of their own

The Haryana Government, in keeping with its promise of building ‘mahila chaupals’ in villages, is all set to empower women through this initiative. In rural Haryana, different castes have their own respective ‘chaupals’ where men, usually senior citizens, gather for social interactions, holding discussions and sharing their experiences over rounds of hookah. With hardly any ‘chaupals’ to cater to women, the Haryana Government has decided to give them their space in the villages.

What is the ‘mahila chaupal’ concept?

‘Mahila chaupals’ are exclusive spaces set up in villages for women to gather, unwind, discuss and engage in recreational and cultural activities. These chaupals will also function as ‘mahila sanskritik kendras’, offering facilities for singing, dancing, and other vocational activities aimed at community-building and empowerment.

What is its objective?

The main objective is to empower rural women, bring them out of their homes and provide them with dedicated spaces for interaction, recreation and cultural development. It will support the broader initiative of increasing women’s participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions, reinforced by the government’s 50 per cent reservation policy for women.

What is the current status of this concept in Haryana?

Haryana already has over 100 ‘mahila chaupals’. These existing centres will be revived and rejuvenated to make these more vibrant under the new initiative. Presently, these ‘mahila chaupals’ serve some purpose only during the election season when candidates choose to address women voters.

How many ‘mahila chaupals’ will be established under the first phase?

A total of 754 mahila chaupals are planned to be set up. In the first phase, villages with existing buildings have been considered for the ‘chaupals’, which will provide women an exclusive place to gather and unwind.

5. How much has the Haryana Government allocated for setting up of ‘mahila chaupals’?

In the recent Budget session, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, holding the Finance portfolio, informed that 754 villages would get ‘chaupals’ in the first phase, and over 600 buildings, which had remained incomplete, would be completed and put to use. The government has set aside an allocation of Rs 64 crore for the purpose.

When is an announcement likely to be made in this respect?

The announcement is likely to be made on April 24 which is also the National Panchayati Raj Day. The programme will be held at Tau Devi Lal stadium in Panchkula. As many as 6,000 elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (gram panchayats, panchayat samitis, zila parishads) will attend the programme.