Ujas sangathan

UMS was initiated by Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan – KMVS in 1991 and initially organized women in 8 villages of Mundra but now UMS expanded its work of women empowerment in 3 different clusters, covering more than 4500 women in 46 villages of the block.

UMS (established in 1992) along with KMVS actively got involved in addressing the developmental challenges and during the devastating earthquake in 2000, it undertook extensive rehabilitation work. With the extensive involvement of UMS in relief and rehabilitation work, it could establish healthy relations with the local govt. It is at this juncture that KMVS could understand its level of maturity and collectively decided for building independent identity of UMS by registering it under the public trust act in 2008.

Vision of UMS:

To mobilise rural and semi urban women of Mundra block and work towards empowering them economically, socially and politically by building their capacity to address development challenges in the area themselves, so that, they attain a respectable position in the society.

Objectives:

The objectives of Ujjas Mahila Snagathan are as follows:[custom_list type=”dot”]

• Eliminate all forms of violence against women.
• Improve economic security for rural and semi urban women with focus on marginalized groups in the society, especially Maldharis and Fisher folk by strengthening their traditional livelihoods.
• To study the impact of industrialization and spreading awareness among local communities to enable them to face the threats of rapid industrialization.
• Improve participation of women in Gram-sabhas and improve performance of elected leaders in village panchayats.
• To address the health issues of the women.
• To work towards mainstreaming and social inclusion of the marginalized sections of the society.[/custom_list]

The Taluka Samiti (block level committee) of the organization comprises of 16 member team with Kunvarben Chavda as Secretary and Aminaben Gadh as President including 12 other committee members. In each of the thematic areas where the impacts could be described under different specific sub-categories, the work of the organisation has made enormous difference to the life and work of women in particular and the communities in general. The biggest change is the emergence and all round recognition of UMS as a credible and strong local organization.