Women from 10 villages in Bangarpet Taluk came together to celebrate Mahila Utsavam, meaning “Celebration of Women,” marking the completion of Phase 1 of the Gender Harmony Project led by Amrita’s Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE).
Held between June 4 and August 5, Mahila Utsavam was organised as the concluding activity of the Digital Literacy and Life Enrichment Education (DL + LEE) sessions conducted in each participating village. The gathering provided women with an opportunity to step beyond the structured learning sessions, connect with one another, express themselves, and celebrate the relationships and experiences they had developed throughout Phase 1.
The celebrations featured a range of traditional and community-based games, including Nadi Dada, Fire in the Mountain, and Bangle and Straw. Through these activities, participants laughed, encouraged one another and took part in a relaxed setting that helped strengthen familiarity and community connections.
A key activity, “My Life, My Voice, My Strength,” created a space for personal reflection and sharing. Each participant selected a value such as courage, patience, caring, hard work or friendship and shared a personal experience associated with it. The activity encouraged women to speak about their own lives while listening to the experiences of others and recognising the strengths and values they share.
While simple in nature, such interactions can play an important role in strengthening trust, confidence and social connection within communities. Stronger relationships can contribute to creating supportive environments where women feel more comfortable expressing themselves, supporting one another and collectively engaging with challenges affecting their communities.
Mahila Utsavam therefore served not only as a celebration, but also as an important culmination of the learning and relationships developed through the DL + LEE sessions. By bringing women together in a shared space of participation and connection, the event helped reinforce the foundations established during Phase 1 of the Gender Harmony Project.
With Phase 1 now complete, the Gender Harmony Project will move into Phase 2, building on these foundations to encourage deeper community engagement and contribute towards sustained and meaningful change.
The initiative acknowledges the valuable contribution of every participating woman, Anganwadi worker and community member who supported and contributed to the journey across the 10 villages.
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals
The Gender Harmony Project contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
