Transformative Journey of Women from Mate Didi to Change Maker
An opportunity to lead can change a woman’s life. It can also inspire an entire community to change.
Scale of the Initiative: LEADS has promoted 650 Women Mates under VB-GRAMG. The programme covers three blocks in three districts. These are Murhu in Khunti, Bandgaon in West Singhbhum, and Mahuadanr in Latehar. Together, they reach 43 Gram Panchayats and 463 villages. These women are proudly known as “Mate Didi.” They act as an important link. They connect rural workers, beneficiaries, communities, and local institutions. This is not only a story of numbers. It is a story of confidence, dignity, leadership, and transformation.
The Journey Begins with an Opportunity: Every Mate Didi begins her journey at the village level. She is selected through the Gram Sabha. After selection, her name is registered on the VB-GRAMG portal. She then receives training, field exposure, and continuous support. Through this process, she learns her roles and responsibilities.
The training covers key areas: Work planning, Supervision, Measurement, Record keeping, Worker support, Leadership etc. She gains practical knowledge. She builds the confidence to perform her responsibilities well. After training, she is deployed as a Women Mate in schemes. She works closely with workers and communities. She supports planning and supervision. She helps ensure that works are implemented properly.
From Learning to Leading: The Women Mate initiative goes beyond employment. It focuses on four pillars of empowerment: (i) Social empowerment, (ii) Political empowerment, (iii) Economic empowerment and (iv) Psychological empowerment. As women gain knowledge, they gain experience. As they gain experience, they gain confidence.
A woman who once hesitated to speak in a public meeting now expresses her views. A woman who had limited interaction with government institutions now engages with Panchayat representatives and officials. A woman who once depended on others for decisions now takes responsibility herself. Slowly, her identity begins to change. She is no longer seen only as a beneficiary or Women Mate. She becomes a facilitator, a responsible Mate, and a community leader.
From Responsibility to Ownership: As Women Mates gain experience, they begin to take ownership of their work. They identify challenges. They seek solutions. They support other workers. They share their learning. They encourage other women to take part in development activities.
The change is both personal and social. Confidence creates voice. Voice creates participation. Participation creates leadership. Leadership creates change. This is how the journey from Mate Didi to Change Maker begins.
Mahila Mate Forums: Strength in Togetherness: Women become stronger when they work together. To strengthen this collective voice, 14 Mahila Mate Forums are being developed. These forums operate at the Panchayat and Block levels. The forums provide a common platform for Women Mates to Share challenges, Discuss solutions, Exchange experiences, Learn from one another, Raise common concerns, Celebrate achievements. The forums also create chances to share success stories. These stories reach Block, District, and State level officials. They also reach other stakeholders.
A challenge faced by one Mate can become a learning opportunity for many. A success story of one woman can inspire another woman to step forward. This is the power of collective strength.
Finding a Voice in Local Governance: The transformation of a Mate Didi opens new spaces for women in local governance. Women Mates are gaining opportunities to take part in Gram Sabhas, Panchayat meetings, Block-level forums, Their concerns, experiences, and suggestions can now reach the district level. They raise issues. They share ideas. They ask questions. They contribute to decisions.
The Transformation: From Mate Didi to Change Maker: The real success of the Women Mate initiative is not only in numbers trained or deployed. It is in the transformation taking place in their lives. A Mate Didi begins with a role. She gains skills. She builds confidence. She takes responsibility. She finds her voice. She supports others. Gradually, she begins to lead. This is the transformative journey from Mate Didi to Change Maker. When women receive opportunities, training, exposure, mentoring, and collective support, they become powerful agents of change. With continued support from Gram Panchayats, Block and District institutions, government officials, stakeholders, and Mahila Mate Forums, Women Mates contribute to Stronger livelihoods, Stronger communities, More inclusive villages
A Journey of Dignity, Voice, and Leadership: The story of the Mate Didi is a story of transformation. It is a journey from participation to leadership. From responsibility to ownership. From individual effort to collective strength. From silence to voice. From opportunity to empowerment. Mate Didi is not just a designation. It is a symbol of confidence, dignity, responsibility, and leadership.
Across 3 blocks, 3 districts, 43 Panchayats, and 463 villages, 650 women are showing what is possible. When women get an opportunity to lead, they can help create change far beyond their own lives.
Nirjharini Rath
Senior Program Facilitator, LEADS
Transformative Journey of Women from Mate Didi to Change Maker
An opportunity to lead can change a woman’s life. It can also inspire an entire community to change.
Scale of the Initiative: LEADS has promoted 650 Women Mates under VB-GRAMG. The programme covers three blocks in three districts. These are Murhu in Khunti, Bandgaon in West Singhbhum, and Mahuadanr in Latehar. Together, they reach 43 Gram Panchayats and 463 villages. These women are proudly known as “Mate Didi.” They act as an important link. They connect rural workers, beneficiaries, communities, and local institutions. This is not only a story of numbers. It is a story of confidence, dignity, leadership, and transformation.
The Journey Begins with an Opportunity: Every Mate Didi begins her journey at the village level. She is selected through the Gram Sabha. After selection, her name is registered on the VB-GRAMG portal. She then receives training, field exposure, and continuous support. Through this process, she learns her roles and responsibilities.
The training covers key areas: Work planning, Supervision, Measurement, Record keeping, Worker support, Leadership etc. She gains practical knowledge. She builds the confidence to perform her responsibilities well. After training, she is deployed as a Women Mate in schemes. She works closely with workers and communities. She supports planning and supervision. She helps ensure that works are implemented properly.
From Learning to Leading: The Women Mate initiative goes beyond employment. It focuses on four pillars of empowerment: (i) Social empowerment, (ii) Political empowerment, (iii) Economic empowerment and (iv) Psychological empowerment. As women gain knowledge, they gain experience. As they gain experience, they gain confidence.
A woman who once hesitated to speak in a public meeting now expresses her views. A woman who had limited interaction with government institutions now engages with Panchayat representatives and officials. A woman who once depended on others for decisions now takes responsibility herself. Slowly, her identity begins to change. She is no longer seen only as a beneficiary or Women Mate. She becomes a facilitator, a responsible Mate, and a community leader.
From Responsibility to Ownership: As Women Mates gain experience, they begin to take ownership of their work. They identify challenges. They seek solutions. They support other workers. They share their learning. They encourage other women to take part in development activities.
The change is both personal and social. Confidence creates voice. Voice creates participation. Participation creates leadership. Leadership creates change. This is how the journey from Mate Didi to Change Maker begins.
Mahila Mate Forums: Strength in Togetherness: Women become stronger when they work together. To strengthen this collective voice, 14 Mahila Mate Forums are being developed. These forums operate at the Panchayat and Block levels. The forums provide a common platform for Women Mates to Share challenges, Discuss solutions, Exchange experiences, Learn from one another, Raise common concerns, Celebrate achievements. The forums also create chances to share success stories. These stories reach Block, District, and State level officials. They also reach other stakeholders.
A challenge faced by one Mate can become a learning opportunity for many. A success story of one woman can inspire another woman to step forward. This is the power of collective strength.
Finding a Voice in Local Governance: The transformation of a Mate Didi opens new spaces for women in local governance. Women Mates are gaining opportunities to take part in Gram Sabhas, Panchayat meetings, Block-level forums, Their concerns, experiences, and suggestions can now reach the district level. They raise issues. They share ideas. They ask questions. They contribute to decisions.
The Transformation: From Mate Didi to Change Maker: The real success of the Women Mate initiative is not only in numbers trained or deployed. It is in the transformation taking place in their lives. A Mate Didi begins with a role. She gains skills. She builds confidence. She takes responsibility. She finds her voice. She supports others. Gradually, she begins to lead. This is the transformative journey from Mate Didi to Change Maker. When women receive opportunities, training, exposure, mentoring, and collective support, they become powerful agents of change. With continued support from Gram Panchayats, Block and District institutions, government officials, stakeholders, and Mahila Mate Forums, Women Mates contribute to Stronger livelihoods, Stronger communities, More inclusive villages
A Journey of Dignity, Voice, and Leadership: The story of the Mate Didi is a story of transformation. It is a journey from participation to leadership. From responsibility to ownership. From individual effort to collective strength. From silence to voice. From opportunity to empowerment. Mate Didi is not just a designation. It is a symbol of confidence, dignity, responsibility, and leadership.
Across 3 blocks, 3 districts, 43 Panchayats, and 463 villages, 650 women are showing what is possible. When women get an opportunity to lead, they can help create change far beyond their own lives.
Nirjharini Rath
Senior Program Facilitator, LEADS
