Malappattam
Grama Panchayat

What is the Jagratha Samithi?

The Jagratha Samithi is a local-level protection and vigilance forum that works continuously to safeguard the rights, physical and mental well-being, dignity and security of women and children.

It works to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, social exclusion and violations of the rights of women and children. The Samithi provides a local platform for timely intervention and support in cases requiring immediate attention.

The Jagratha Samithi can also take up cases and issues that may otherwise remain unattended due to the absence or limitations of other committees or mechanisms. It facilitates access to available legal protections, government services and support systems for women and children.

Objectives

The major objectives of the Jagratha Samithi are to:

• Protect the rights of women and children and take effective action against violence, discrimination, injustice, exploitation and denial of their rights.

• Receive complaints involving women and children and facilitate appropriate resolution through immediate intervention and support mechanisms.

• Refer complaints and issues that cannot be resolved at the local level to the District Jagratha Samithi, Kerala Women's Commission, government agencies, legal-aid institutions and other appropriate authorities, and follow up on such cases.

• Coordinate with government agencies, schemes and institutions working for the protection and empowerment of women and girls.

• Coordinate the activities of other organisations and agencies working towards similar objectives.

• Create a safe and supportive social environment free from violence and discrimination against women and children.

• Build community groups and use people's participation and community-based mechanisms to achieve these objectives.

• Encourage community monitoring, support and intervention in situations involving the abuse or exploitation of women and children.

Grama Panchayat Jagratha Samithi – Structure

The Panchayat-level Jagratha Samithi consists of 11 members.

Office Bearers

• Chairperson: Grama Panchayat President

• Vice-Chairperson: Vice-President

• Convenor: ICDS Supervisor, Department of Women and Child Development

• Co-Convenor: Panchayat Secretary

Members

• Chairperson of the Welfare Standing Committee

• A woman advocate

• Inspector/Sub-Inspector of the local Police Station

• Woman Panchayat Member / social worker belonging to the SC/ST community

• Medical Officer of the Primary Health Centre

• CDS Chairperson

• One person elected from among the Ward-Level Jagratha Samithi Convenors

Invitees

• Representative of the District Child Protection Committee (DCPC)

• Education Department officer concerned with the local area

Malappattam Grama Panchayat Jagratha Samithi Members

Ward / Division-Level Jagratha Samithi

The Ward/Division-Level Jagratha Samithi is the grassroots-level component of the Jagratha Samithi system established for the protection and welfare of women and children within the local self-government system.

The general meeting of the Ward-Level Jagratha Samithi may be organised along with the Grama Sabha or, where convenient, as a separate meeting.

Ward / Division-Level Structure

Office Bearers

• Chairperson: Ward Member / Councillor

• Vice-Chairperson: ADS President / an elected woman representative

• Convenor: Anganwadi Worker; in the worker's absence, an assistant or another woman community worker such as an ASHA worker, SC/ST Promoter or Prerak

• Joint Convenor: As designated

Members

• A person of public acceptance, such as a doctor, advocate or retired government employee

• One representative from voluntary organisations such as libraries, clubs and social organisations

• Two representatives of major political parties, at least one of whom should be a woman

• One representative from the ADS/CDS

Ex-Officio Members / Invitees

• Health worker functioning in the ward

• Representative of the Sanitation Committee functioning in the ward

• Anganwadi teacher / counsellor working in the ward

• Ward Development Committee Convenor

• Balasabha / children's forum representative or President