Before the tsunami women in the villages hardly came out of their houses. But now there is a great change. Post tsunami, thanks to the intervention of NGOs, women have the confidence to come out, talk and even fight for their rights

LWSI/ACT has been involved in capacity building and disaster preparedness activities with communities affected by the tsunami in Tamil Nadu for some two years now.
The activities have been conducted at the same time as LWSI has been implementing its relief and rehabilitation programmes in response to the catastrophic events of December 26, 2004. The activities included hosting orientation and training programmes to empower women, ensure better health and sanitation, and assist communities in being better prepared to deal with disasters.
LWSI has also been facilitating the creation of group funds, assisting Self Help Groups (SHGs) in opening bank accounts and encouraging micro credit operations among the women in the communities.
LWSI has initiated livelihood support and Community Based Disaster Preparedness programmes in 50 tsunami affected non-ocean fishing and dalit communities in the Cuddalore and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu state. Women in particular, because of their vulnerable status, are to receive special attention to enhance their opportunities and empower them for alternative livelihood options through vocational training.
A report by DanChurchAid, (Program Strategy Paper: Post-Tsunami Disaster Mitigation/Prevention and Livelihood Programs in India, Cuddalore) highlights the pivotal role women play in disaster response, rehabilitation and preparedness. "Experience [however] shows that women are allowed little say in the decision making process, [and less] so in traditional social settings.
"Interactions with women folk in fishing communities have revealed that they are virtually excluded from the community decision making process, though in [some] places they have their own groups which meet separately."
Mrs. A Mala, from Ayyampettai village in the Cuddalore district refers to the general lack of freedom that women had when she says: "Before the tsunami we did not come out of our houses. But now there is a great change. We have the confidence to come out, talk and even fight for our rights." Ayyampettai is one of the villages where LWSI has been implementing its post tsunami projects, including capacity building and women empowerment programmes.
Also from Ayyampettai is Mrs. R Shanthi. She believes that women are better informed now. "During meetings women are told to sit in the front and share their views," she says.
The overall feeling is that by being part of the Self Help Groups, women have gained the confidence to meet with government officials and NGO staff to advocate their own causes. At a family level as well, they are now able to explain matters to the men folk, and feel that their points of view are better understood.
Even among the men, the level of acceptance has gone up. "Before they would not have allowed us to come out and participate in meetings. Now they encourage us to attend even if they are unable to, so that they can get the information being shared. A very positive attitude is noticeable among the men," says Mrs. M Danamani.
Many of the women are involved in a candle-making unit being run by a local NGO. They earn Rs 20 (about half a dollar) a day. Since more women were interested in joining, a soap-making unit was set up. And with the families' incomes being supplemented -- even if only by small amounts -- the women say that their husbands are happy too.
"Though the tsunami was a disaster, it brought some positive changes also," says Mrs. Mala.
But not all the women and men are gender sensitive. Discrimination still occurs. There is the issue of the dowry system. Alcoholism and domestic violence remains a problem. A lot of work is still needed to sensitize people to gender related issues. But for someone like Mrs. Shanthi, a beginning has been made. She says, "I will not force my daughters to marry. I want them to do what they want. A mother should be a friend to her daughters."