Kaveri Mahila Maha Sangha, Periyapatna

Kaveri Mahila Mahasangha is a 22-year-old grassroots federation representing the (Jenu Keruba) forest-based community, on issues related to women’s rights, tribal rights and development and has expanded its vision to other marginalised communities especially Dalits.

Kaveri Mahila Maha Sangha, Periyapatna, is registered under Societies Act. They have successfully acquired their 12A and 80G certificates. Due to the activities of the three committees (Legal, Sustainability and Governance), the CBOs are now being recognised in government departments and by local politicians, who are willing to support various activities. Earlier they were only working within their villages but now they are also working outside their villages and trying to include new villages. News about the committees helping people receive entitlements, solve cases and assist in the formation and functioning of SHGs has spread and more women from other villages are interested in being affiliated with the federations. 

It has been suggested that the federations also form an Advisory committee which will include the older leaders whose main role would be of overseeing the activities of the federation and committees and helping the new leaders make decisions and ensure a more decentralised and democratic framework. Overall, the leadership base has expanded considerably in the Karnataka CBOs with the formation and capacity building of committees and with more sanghas joining in.