Poshina's Working Women Hostel: Strengthening Social Infrastructure

by,

Ravi Arora, IAS

DDO, Vadodara

With changing times though, rural women (including those from the tribal areas) are increasingly moving out of their houses and villages in search of work. The Government of Gujarat has taken a small but consequential step towards encouraging this positive trend.

Set in the tribal lands of the Arravallis, is a shining example of women’s empowerment and rural and tribal emancipation in Gujarat.

‘Poshina Working Women’s Hostel’ is the first ever rural working women’s hostel in Gujarat. Located in Khedbrahma Taluka of Sabarkantha district with a total area of 25,974 square feet and a built up area of 7007 square feet, this hostel caters to women who work in the rural areas away from their homes.

The idea behind this innovative project was to aid working women in the predominantly tribal areas. Commuting from far off places is an acute problem for women. It is worse when women have to leave their jobs after marriage or childbirth because of the long distances. Unlike urban towns and cities, houses on rent aren’t a common business practice in the rural area. A hostel for working women will thus prevent women from quitting jobs, and it will also serve to provide a hospitable, social environment for these working ladies to thrive.

The hostel has been built in a safe locality, with a local police station situated right opposite the campus. The residents are assured of police protection at all times. There is also a Health Centre and a School on either side of the Hostel campus. This would serve as an added benefit for residents, especially for those with children.

The hostel is two-storeyed, with 16 rooms, the Hostel Office, a Guest Room and a Common Room. It also has a separate kitchen and dining hall. The rooms have been built in accordance with state-of-the-art technology. Fully furnished elegant rooms will be given to the working women on twin-sharing basis, with bathrooms to be shared among few rooms.

The hostel also has facility for female relatives of the residents to stay overnight as guests on the campus. Apart from that, there is provision for all guests of the residents to visit them during the fixed visiting hours.

The running of the hostel will be the responsibility of the residents, without any outside interference in its activities. The kitchen is common where the residents can choose to cook for themselves or hire a cook. This would ideally ensure harmony among the residents, despite being from different castes and communities.

The extensive campus area can be developed into a garden, where the women can conduct meetings, Self Help Groups and other women-centred initiatives of their interest. The common room in the hostel building can also be used as a crèche during the day if the residents wish. If required, an Anganwadi Center can also be opened within the campus. The idea behind this is to develop the Hostel as a hub for rural women’s activities.

This Rs 71 Lakh project in Poshina was conceptualised by Sabarkantha District Panchayat team. 

(The article was originally published in 'the Gujarat' Vol - III, Issue - III, July, 2013)