In an unusual case of women’s empowerment, Piya Pangu, a 45 year old woman of Kajlidungri in Meghnagar, received training as a Trained Birth Attendant. Traditionally, men have performed this task in the community. Even after her training Pangu was uncertain and hesitant, and the women of the community themselves were not too confident about the role of other women in birthing. However, today, Pangu is much sought after, and has, with GVT, succeeded in making the women aware of the gender aspects of social exploitation.

Rammu Ben, the Group and SWC Jankar of Sawan Mata Group, village Pachhlibhit (Thandla-II), sees her role as that of a catalyst and facilitator for the development of her village. As a Group Jankar, Rammu Ben initially felt that men listened to her more than women did; the women felt that the training she received had raised her status her far above them, and hence found it difficult to relate to her. However, the effects of persistence are now visible through increased savings, control of alcohol consumption, etc. Interestingly, Rammu Ben is illiterate; her records on SWC work are maintained with strict quality through the use of A-frames.