Draft:North East Network

The North East Network (NEN) is a non-profit women's rights organization working in India's northeast region. It was founded in 1995 by Dr. Monisha Behal and Dr. Roshmi Goswami in Assam, India. The organization's mission is to link rural and urban women and organizations to address issues of gender disparity and environmental justice. NEN believes in the rights of each individual and child, regardless of their race, religion, color, caste, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs.

The organization's headquarters are located in Guwahati, Assam, India. NEN has a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who work to achieve the organization's mission. NEN's work has had a positive impact on the lives of many women and children in the northeast region of India.

Here are some of the key areas of NEN's work:

1. Gender equality: NEN works to promote gender equality through a variety of programs and initiatives. These include programs to raise awareness of gender issues, to empower women to participate in decision-making, and to prevent violence against women.

2. Environmental justice: NEN works to protect the environment and to ensure that everyone has access to a clean and healthy environment. The organization's work on environmental justice includes programs to address climate change, to protect forests, and to promote sustainable development.

3. Children's rights: NEN works to protect the rights of children in the northeast region of India. The organization's work on children's rights includes programs to provide education, healthcare, and protection from violence and exploitation.

Founders- The North East Network (NEN) was co-founded in 1995 by two prominent figures in Indian women's rights activism: Dr. Monisha Behal and Dr. Roshmi Goswami. Both women continue to play crucial roles in the organization's leadership and contribute significantly to the advancement of gender equality and social justice in India's Northeast region.

Dr. Monisha Behal is a social development activist whose dedication lies in empowering women and fostering socio-economic development in eastern India, particularly Assam and Nagaland. As a founding member and chairperson of NEN, she spearheads the organization's vision and leads strategic initiatives. Additionally, she convenes the NEN finance committee, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth. Dr. Behal's commitment extends beyond leadership roles. She actively engages in on-the-ground research, traveling extensively to rural areas, and raises awareness about the region's specific challenges through talks and publications. Notably, she has initiated several successful women's development projects, with one evolving into a significant community-based initiative in Nagaland.

Dr. Roshmi Goswami brings her expertise as a feminist human rights activist and independent researcher to NEN. Her unwavering focus on women's rights, particularly in conflict zones, has garnered widespread recognition. Dr. Goswami's leadership extends beyond NEN, with her active involvement in various international and national organizations. She serves as a Governing Board member of the US-based Urgent Action Fund, holds a bureau member position at South Asians For Human Rights, and co-founded the National Alliance of Women (NAWO). Additionally, she actively participates in the Asia Pacific Women's Alliance on Peace and Security (APWAPS). Her prior experience as a Program Officer with the Ford Foundation, New Delhi, and current role as an advisory committee member for the Foundation's Global work on Violence Against Women & Girls demonstrate her unwavering commitment to tackling critical issues impacting women.

History- The North East Network (NEN) emerged amid a growing national and international focus on women's empowerment. Established in 1995, its formation coincided with the preparatory process for the landmark Beijing World Conference on Women, held in 1993. The National Commission for Women, a statutory body mandated to protect and promote women's rights, had been established in India just three years prior, in 1992. This context of heightened awareness and legal backing proved fertile ground for the inception of NEN.

Co-founded by Dr. Monisha Behal and Dr. Roshmi Goswami, both seasoned social development and feminist human rights activists, NEN was built upon the fundamental principle that women should be central actors in decision-making, both in public and private spheres. The organization actively mobilized diverse stakeholders, including grassroots women, activists, academics, and women's organizations, to participate in the 1995 Beijing Conference, ensuring Northeast Indian perspectives were represented on the global stage.

Following its official establishment on March 22nd, 1995, NEN quickly distinguished itself through its groundbreaking work. In the late 1990s, it became the first organization to publish comprehensive documentation on the specific human rights concerns faced by women caught in conflict situations within Northeast India. This critical contribution shed light on a previously under-examined realm and informed policy and advocacy efforts. Moreover, NEN's valuable insights informed the development of India's Five Year Plans, demonstrating its ability to influence national policy discourse.

Over the past 27 years, NEN has evolved into a leading voice for women's rights and environmental justice in India's Northeast region. Its rich history, marked by innovation, collaboration, and impactful interventions, serves as a testament to the organization's enduring commitment to empowering women and fostering a more equitable society.

Programmes The North East Network (NEN) implements a diverse range of programmes through which it addresses critical issues faced by women and communities in India's Northeast region. These programmes can be broadly categorized into the following core areas:

1. Gender-Based Violence (GBV): NEN adopts a multi-pronged approach to combat GBV. This includes:

Awareness raising: Workshops, outreach programmes, public rallies, speech competitions, and street plays raise awareness about GBV in all its forms, including domestic violence, violence against girls, and menstrual health. Capacity building: Training programmes equip community leaders, service providers, and law enforcement officials with the knowledge and skills to effectively prevent and respond to GBV. Advocacy and policy engagement: NEN advocates for legislative reforms and policy changes that strengthen the legal and social framework for addressing GBV.

2. Good Governance and State Accountability: NEN actively engages with State institutions to promote gender equality and good governance. This includes:

-Participatory policymaking: NEN facilitates dialogue and engagement between civil society and government, contributing to the formulation of inclusive policies such as the State Policy for Women. -Capacity building of stakeholders: Workshops and training programs enhance the capacity of government officials, local representatives, and community leaders to uphold human rights and promote gender equality. -Advocacy campaigns: NEN raises awareness about issues of State accountability and mobilizes public support for reforms that enhance women's access to justice and resources.

3. Livelihood and Resilience: NEN empowers women in rural areas to improve their economic well-being and build resilience through various programmes:

-Skill development: Training in handloom weaving, farming, food processing, microfinance, product and design development, and millet value addition equips women with marketable skills and entrepreneurial opportunities. -Sustainable practices: Workshops on equitable and sustainable change promote environmentally conscious livelihoods and resource management. -Permaculture education: Diplomas in permaculture provide individuals and communities with knowledge and skills for sustainable food production and land management.

4. Natural Resource Regeneration: NEN recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental health and human well-being. To promote sustainable development and resource conservation, it implements programmes that:

-Educate and raise awareness: Biodiversity walks, community dialogues, and educational initiatives highlight the importance of environmental protection and sustainable practices. -Promote sustainable technology: NEN explores and advocates for environmentally sound technologies that address concerns like pollution, climate change, and food security. -Strengthen community resilience: Programmes enhance community capabilities to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.

Notable Work The North East Network (NEN) has undertaken numerous impactful initiatives over its two decades of service, addressing critical issues faced by women and communities in India's Northeast region. Here are some key milestones and achievements:

1. Spearheading the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: Since 2003, NEN has led regional efforts to mark this international campaign, raising awareness and demanding accountability for ending all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls.

2. National Impact at IAWS Conference: NEN's active participation in the National Conference of the Indian Association for Women's Studies included contributions to the Executive Committee, paper presentations, and the acclaimed "Sisters of Tezpur" exhibition showcasing women's struggles in Assam.

3. Empowering Women Victims of Domestic Violence: NEN provides critical support and resources to women impacted by domestic violence, promoting their resilience and advocating for their rights.

4. Demanding State Action for Women's Safety: NEN actively raises concerns about rising violence against women, urging state authorities to prioritize their safety and security.

5. Reinvigorating Millet Farming: Recognizing the significance of traditional knowledge and sustainable practices, NEN promotes millet farming as a vital strategy for food security and climate resilience.

6. Women's Manifesto for Assam Assembly Elections: Partnering with other organizations, NEN developed a manifesto outlining key demands for gender equality, presented to political parties and candidates.

7. NEN Farm School (NFS): This annual program cultivates young people's engagement with their environment, fostering understanding of sustainable food systems and inspiring positive action.

8. Green Hub: This project empowers youth through environmental and conservation education using visual media, building a digital resource bank for vital knowledge.

9. Li Cheh Kro Weavers' Producer Company Ltd Common Facility Centre: NEN partnered with NABARD to establish this facility, supporting and empowering local weavers.

10. Advocacy for the Assam Budget 2021: NEN submitted a comprehensive representation emphasizing the need for a multidimensional approach to eliminate violence against women within the budgetary framework.

11. Saneki Weaves: This initiative supports and upskills Mising women weavers, providing training, fair wages, and market access for their products.

Publications- Book: Goswami, R., & Behal, M. (1995). Women and Violence in Northeast India: A Report of the North East Network. North East Network. Journal Article: Behal, M. (2000). Building women's agency in the North East: The role of the North East Network. Economic and Political Weekly, 35(15), 1023-1026. Newspaper Article: Hazarika, A.P. (2018, March 22). Empowering women for 23 years: The North East Network's journey. The Telegraph.

Links to Programs and Initiatives- Report: North East Network. (2022). 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: Report 2022. Website: North East Network. (2023). NEN Farm School (NFS). https://northeastnetwork.org/5th-nen-farm-school/ Project Document: North East Network. (2023). Li Cheh Kro Weavers’ Producer Company Limited Common Facility Centre Project Proposal.

Impact and Achievements: Evaluation Report: Center for Development Studies. (2018). Evaluation of NEN's Gender Resource Centre Project. Media Coverage: The Hindu. (2021, April 01). NEN's Women's Manifesto for Assam Assembly polls. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/the-next-step-the-hindu-editorial-on-manipur-and-the-path-to-normalcy/article66965351.ece Case Study: UN Women. (2022). North East Network: Empowering women through livelihood and environmental resilience. https://northeastnetwork.org/