The 3-day Organization Development Workshop from November 21st to 23rd, 2023, Project
conducted by Project SEAL (Social Empowerment-Employment-Assistance-Leadership) funded by Embassy of the kingdom of the Netherlands in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, was a transformative experience for survivors of bride trafficking. The workshop, aimed to provide social empowerment, employment assistance, and leadership skills to the participants. This Blog provides you with the detail of the sessions, activities, and the individuals who were involved in this workshop.
Day 1 focused on Community-Based Organization (CBO) formation and Organization Development (OD) training
The day began on November 21st, 2023, at 10:30 AM with Ms. Rajbala handling registration. This was followed by a warm welcome from Mr. Dildar Hussain, the district coordinator, to EP President Dr. Savithri Subramanian, and Mr. Shafiq R Khan, the Founder & Secretary. Ms. Amruta Khare and Ms. Rajbala facilitated the OD training at 11:30 am, which started with an engaging "Circle of Trust" activity to foster connections among the participants. An icebreaker called "Name Circle" added a fun touch to the introductions. The day continued with the "Building Together" activity, emphasizing collaboration and teamwork. After lunch at 2:00 PM, a powerful session on healing through storytelling unfolded. The "Story Chain" activity allowed participants to share personal stories, creating a profound sense of connection. The day concluded with a meeting of the EP team to discuss organizational matters and review the first day of the workshop from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Day 2 focused on workshops addressing issues surrounding sexual and domestic violence, as well as gender and feminist perspective building
On November 22nd, the second day of the workshop began at 10:30 am with registration. From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, sessions led by Dr. Savithri Subramanian and Ms. Amruta Khare Padhey provided a platform for open discussions, personal stories, and reflections on the impact of violence. The short film "STOP" prompted discussions on domestic and sexual violence. After lunch, at 2:30 PM, the workshop continued with a session on gender and feminist perspective building. Participants engaged in discussions and watched the film "Tamanna," followed by engaging activities such as musical chairs. The day concluded with a team meeting to review the progress of Project SEAL.
The final day focused on knowledge and skill-building for CBO members
Registration started at 9 am, and from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, workshops were conducted under the guidance of Shafiq R Khan, the founder and general secretary. These sessions covered topics such as basic management, negotiation, conflict resolution, networking, and advocacy. The day concluded with a thorough workshop review by the EP team, highlighting the positive and collaborative atmosphere through interactive activities and teamwork.
Throughout the workshop, special sessions and activities were curated to strengthen the bond among participants. Activities such as the "Puzzle of Unity," musical chairs, and "Team-building Games" focused on collaboration, trust, and communication. These activities allowed participants to create symbols of strength, encouraging self-expression and solidarity.
A significant moment during the workshop was the Historic CBO Election on Day 1, where over 150 women participants passionately engaged in the democratic process to elect their representative to lead the nascent Community-Based Organization. This groundbreaking democratic initiative added an extra layer of empowerment and established a precedent for the significance of each participant's voice. The final objective of Project SEAL is to create a social enterprise that empowers these women to become inspiring entrepreneurs, allowing them to drive positive change in their communities.
In conclusion, the 3-day Organization Development Workshop by Project SEAL in Yamuna Nagar provided survivors of bride trafficking with valuable skills and a deep sense of community. The workshop not only equipped them with knowledge and skills but also empowered them to become leaders and agents of positive change.