Institutional and Peoples' Response to Cope with Growing Urban Challenges: A Case of Women's Participation and Leadership in Poverty Alleviation in Chandigarh

Chandigarh has distinctly implemented urban poverty alleviation (UPA) scheme called SJSRY unlike other towns in the region. The women as ‘change agents’ are leading various UPA activities in the city. The self help groups have been formed ‘by the women’ and ‘for the women’ who not only catalyze other fellow members but other women in the poor clusters to join the skill formation training programmes for setting up self employment ventures to earn the livelihood and also to strengthen urban community development networks etc. Three major women based activities i.e., ‘Learning on Wheels’, ‘Eco-friendly Handbags manufacturing by HIV+ poor women SHG’ and ‘Women As Change Agent in Building Leadership and bringing change in their Community’ have recently won the prestigious ‘HUDCO Best Practice Award to Improve The Living Environment’. The new pattern of community leadership is emerging among the poor women. There is a positive institutional response to the UPA activities in the city which seems to empower the poor women. The Municipal Corporation has formed a dedicated Cell with adequate staff to implement SJSRY and other UPA schemes. There seems to be democratic strengthening through enhanced participation and leadership of poor women in local decision making in implementing UPA program. They are able to raise and articulate the voice and choice of disadvantaged women in a better way. The local participatory initiatives have multiplier impact on socio-economic conditions of the poor women. There is negligible poverty and better service provisions. The emerging pattern of women participation and leadership in Chandigarh is a positive step towards UPA, inclusive urban society, women empowerment and also coping with growing urban challenges. There are many success stories of emerging trend of women participation and leadership in UPA in Chandigarh which have been documented by the author for the paper.