To enhance women’s participation on a broader platform, we continue to work on an approach that integrates women’s empowerment, health, participation, and equality.

Towards the goal of women’s empowerment beyond development and progress, these five aspects (‘Panchapayana’) have been prioritized by Punarchith to enable rural women to emerge as agents and catalysts in their own lives and society:

1. Personal Capability Recognition and Growth
2. Social Awareness
3. Well-being
4. Democracy and Citizenship
5. Environmental/ecological Care

The program emphasizes sustainable livelihood pathways for rural women. As part of this program, women are taken on exposure visits, and frequent gatherings are held to discuss health and nutrition, agriculture, climate change/environment conservation, involvement in local governance, and other social issues. The leaflet below elaborates on this initiative and its aspects, and was released on the Women Farmer’s Day Celebration held at Angarike Mala on November 5th, 2025:

On December 30 and 31, 2025, a women’s capacity-building training programme was conducted as part of Panchapayana at Janapada Seva Trust, Melukote. Fourteen women participated in the training.

Punarchith trustee Dr. H. M. Hemalatha created awareness on women’s labour, self-respect, economic roles and women-related laws. Under the guidance of Jaheeda, a theatre performance on the themes of “Birth” and “Death” was staged, highlighting women’s creativity and skills.

Sumanas introduced the Gandhian values, rural industries, environmental conservation and organic farming initiatives of Janapada Seva Trust. At the end of the training, women shared responsibilities related to education, seed conservation, indigenous seed collection, market organisation, lake cleaning and tree protection. The training strengthened confidence, cooperation and self-reliance among women.

After the visit to Melukote, the women formed groups to decide which work they would be responsible for (kitchen garden, library, Panchayat matters etc). In meetings they shared the activities they had undertaken in the months of January and February 2026, such as village cleanliness awareness, reading about women’s rights, inquiry about Anganwadi children’s food and visiting houses to collect and store seeds. It was decided to submit an application to the Panchayat regarding the Anganwadi grant issue.

The “Hittala Hitha” program was organised on September 18 at the Punarchith Learning Centre to raise awareness about healthy living, importance of conserving native seeds, and the role of kitchen gardens in nutritious diets. A total of 72 participants including women, men, the PDO and three Panchayat members attended.

The program was inaugurated by Chamarajanagar Zilla Panchayat CEO Ms. Mona Rout, who spoke about the importance of home-made snacks for children and the need to avoid bakery foods. She shared her experience that growing plants around the house enables access to toxin-free vegetables and fruits, improving both health and mental well-being.

Four women shared their kitchen garden experiences, highlighting seed conservation, organic cultivation and sharing practices. As part of the program, a Honnēru stall was also set up.