Oxfam Novib

Oxfam Novib (Netherlands) is fighting for a just world without poverty: together with people, organizations, businesses and governments; through cooperative projects and lobby; locally and internationally, because poverty and injustice are global problems. They are about unjust economic and political relationships. Oxfam Novib is convinced of the power of people to solve their own problems themselves.

Its vision can be resumed to an Honest income, Enough food, Good education, Safety and Freedom of speech. Governments and international institutions all over the world acknowledge that everyone should have access to these basic rights. However, the observance of these rights often leaves a great deal to be desired. Oxfam Novib’s work is aimed at enabling poor people to claim their basic rights.

Oxfam Novib regards poverty as being equal to a lack of rights. Due to a lack of basic rights, people that live in poverty do not have (sufficient) access to power, materiel resources and basic services. This leads to hunger, exclusion, exploitation, a lack of opportunities and inequality.

To help understanding Oxfam Novib lists 5 basic rights which each of its partners have to focus on:

 Right to a sustainable existence Everyone has the right to sufficient and healthy food, to safe and paid work and to a clean, safe and supportive environment. Honest world trade and ethically responsible investments are badly needed.
 Right to basic social services In order to improve your living conditions you need a proper education and good healthcare. Oxfam Novib focuses particularly on education for women and girls.
 Right to life and safety In the event of natural disasters and armed conflicts, Oxfam Novib provides emergency aid, together with Oxfam International. At the same time we lay the basis for sustainable development, for example by training counterparts to act effectively in the event of life-threatening situations.
 Right to social and political participation Civic organisations and political parties must be free and able to act democratically. Each citizen must be able to have a say in decisions that affect his life.
 Right to identity People are discriminated against because they are women, homosexuals, disabled or Indians. Such exclusion occurs the world over. That is why Oxfam Novib is working on integration and equality. Violence against women is an area of particular attention.

Project Details

In the two years of the project duration Foundation for Education and Development (FED) will develop models for holistic education for adolescents and their community in Pindwara and Laxmangarh blocks work with local organizations of tribal people for reform of discriminatory tribal custom; - work towards communal harmony through creation of ’Lok Biradari’ (organisation of Hindus and Muslims); - undertake advocacy for wider acceptance of the overall DD approach with government and civil society. The project will serve as a model to be replicated by Government, NGOs and others. It started January 1st 2007 and will last until January 1st 2009. Oxfam Novib has provided a budget of 147 794 € for that period

These two blocks include two of the most instractable communities - the Garasia primitive tribe in Pindwara block and Meo Muslim community in Laxmangarh block. Oxfam Novib has committed itself mainly because there is no evidence of actual participation of these large communities to improve their common life situation

Oxfam has agreed with Doosra Dashak to help realizing their main principles’ strategies. Oxfam Novib has also recognized objectives’ list build up by DD’s members. Although, they have dressed specific objective to attain for Pindwara and Laxmangargh blocks:

1. Specific objective with reference to Pindwara block: To stimulate endogenous action for reform of social custom with a view to improving the status of women.
2. Specific objective with reference to Laxmangarh block: To counter the elements which cause strain in relations between different religious communities and castes and contribute to enhancement of cordial relations among them.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcomes at the end of the 2 year project would be as follows [1]:

 Social mobilization in 30 villages in Laxmangarh and 40 in Pindwara as a result of which the village community, including women and the most disadvantaged sections, would begin to participate in the processes of development.

 Social mapping done in respect of all the villages covered and availability of data in regard to status of education, health and functioning of selected basic services.

 Establishment of adolescent forums and women’s groups in 50 percent of the covered villages and a beginning made for setting up block level collectives.

 Availability of finalised curriculum for out of school persons integrating gender and the rights perspective.

 Emergence of a cadre of 100 adolescent persons in each block with an understanding about people’s rights and communal harmony.

 300 adolescent persons in each block provided with basic integrated education through residential courses and 500 in each block acquiring similar inputs through shorter duration trainings or peer education.

 100 school going adolescents in each block receiving supplementation of their education on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, gender equity, civic and political education and people’s rights.

 Basic services start functioning at levels of increased efficiency in one-third of the covered villages.

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