Jodhpur : Rajasthan based NGO GRAVIS organized a workshop on “Gender and Climate Change in the Thar Desert”. The workshop, organized at Hotel Radisson, was attended by government departments, educational and research institutions, NGOs, community based organizations (CBOs). More than 80 participants from Intergenerational Learning Groups (IL.Gs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) took part. This workshop culminated in the project “Promoting Women and Girls Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation in the Thar Desert” (EWGL) project. Organized., this project has been doing work and research in this area since 2019.
Dr. Prakash Tyagi, Director of GRAVIS, said that the organization was established in 1983 and the institute worked on many projects focusing on water security, agriculture, health, education and women empowerment. Their efforts have helped reduce poverty and combat environmental challenges in more than 2,000 villages in the Thar Desert. The EWGL project, funded by the European Union and supported by Help Age International, empowered more than 40,000 community members, including 20,000 women and girls. The project has improved their leadership in climate adaptation efforts and promoted gender equality.
European Union is working in this area
Delphine Brissoneau, senior program manager at the European Union, emphasized the serious climate change impacts faced by the Thar Desert, one of the driest regions in the world. Over the past 50 years, average temperatures have increased by 1.2 °C, while rainfall patterns have become increasingly irregular. Due to which desertification has increased. These environmental changes threaten agriculture and water security, affecting 27 million people, including a large population of women and girls. Who bear the responsibility of managing 60-70% of domestic resources.
The EU prioritizes addressing gender and climate change issues in India, recognizing the need for gender-sensitive climate adaptation strategies. Brissoneau highlighted that GRAVIS’s EWGL project has empowered women and girls to lead climate adaptation efforts while preserving traditional knowledge, making the Thar Desert a model for inclusive, sustainable development. The project’s lessons and impacts will continue to guide future climate resilience efforts in the region.
Establishment of 80 Intergenerational Learning Groups
Mahitosh Bagoria, Senior Program Coordinator at GRAVIS, detailed the impact of the EWGL project in 20 villages in Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. These districts face severe gender inequality. Under the project, 80 Intergenerational Learning Groups (ILGs) and 80 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) were established, giving older women, young girls and women with disabilities the opportunity to step into leadership roles.
trained women
These groups participated in extensive training on gender issues, natural resource management (NRM) and drought management. Under the leadership of women, 821 rain water harvesting structures tanka, khadin, veri and village ponds were constructed and renovated, thereby increasing water security and reducing the burden on women. Additionally, the project launched initiatives such as community seed banks and dry gardening units led by 908 women, thereby promoting food security and sustainable livelihoods. Nearly 1,000 training and awareness sessions strengthened the climate resilience of the community.
