Transcript SWISSAID`s work on the right to Land and Livelihood

SWISSAID‘s Work on the
Right to Land and Livelihood
International Mobilisation Conference on „The Right
to Land and Livelihood“– 12 -13 September 2011
Content of presentation
1. SWISSAID‘s policy / strategy on land rights
and control over natural ressources
2. SWISSAID India - approach to ensure land
rights for Dalits and Adivasi to derive
sustainable livelihood
3. SWISSAID's work with Adivasi on claiming the
Forest Rights Act - Mendha Lekha Case
4. Control over land - impact on women
5. SWISSAID's support to Jan Satyagraha 2012
SWISSAID‘s policy / strategy on land
rights and control over natural resources
• Work on land rights and control over natural
resources as strategy which contributes to the
achievement of SWISSAID's overall vision on
improved Livelihood Security and Food
Sovereignty
SWISSAID India - approach to ensure
land rights for Dalits and Adivasi and
secure livelihoods
• The Indian legislation and the state level acts
are the basis for the work on land rights
• Pro-poor legislations and acts are not seriously
implemented
• SWISSAID and its partner organisations help
Dalit and Adivasi organisations to understand
the existing legal provisions (acts) and rights
and assist the marginalized people in the
enactment of the acts
• Individual land ownership titles are issued in the
name of both, husband and wife
SWISSAID India - approach to ensure
land rights for Dalits and Adivasi and
secure livelihoods
• Gains of the struggle for land needs to transform
into viable economic options
•  Linking to Government Schemes (NREGA,
Special Component Plan, Tribal Sub-Plan)
•  SWISSAID’s support of additional livelihood
activities and capacity building, e.g. ecological
agriculture
SWISSAID's work with Adivasi on
claiming the Forest Rights Act
Forest Rights Act (2006)
•  Ownership rights over land cultivated by tribal
communities
•  Ownership rights over non-timber forest
produce and usufructs rights over grazing areas
•  Relief and development rights in case of
displacement
•  Forest management rights
Mendha Lekha
Mendha Lekha
Control over land - impact on women
Case of Manisha Watkar, Village Bopapur, District
Vardha, Maharashtra:
– Economic independence
– Personality development – increase in
confidence, courage, skills, information, self
esteem
– Leadership development - participation in
decision-making, enhanced decision-making skills
– Change in the status of women in the family as
well as in the community
– Security, reduction of domestic violence
SWISSAID's support to Jan Satyagraha 2012
• Regular exchange and networking of
organisations working on the same issues,
including private investors, essential for success
in securing land rights
• SWISSAID partners in India could join Jan
Satyagraha 2012
• In Switzerland: Joint public relation work