Mahila Katte, a women’s programme offered by HID Forum

'Mahila Katte' or 'Auraton ke Majlis' is a coming together of women from the development field. This gathering intends to bring women from social sector to better understand themselves and how they relate themselves with their specific environment, be it their organization, household, community, political and or economic spaces and help other women. This is a safe space for women to share themselves with other women to be heard, seen and acknowledged. 

Women in the development sector while advocating for the rights of the marginalised are also often negotiating at an individual level within their household, organization and communities. Capacities are enhanced, leadership is developed, and in the spirit and dedication towards a just society, often times, the self is not a focus in her personal growth. The social construct of women as care givers has had deeper impacts in the present organisational roles as well. These roles seem to be reinforcing the same gendered roles to a prescribed social behaviour in the spaces they occupy.

Self growth refers to the ability to continue to learn, expand and improve and its process requires the individual to look deep within. Self growth and well being are seldom discussed or even acknowledged by development activists. Auraton ke Majlis/ Mahila katte is that safe and non judgmental space that will facilitate women to look within themselves to better understand who they are and where they are headed. This is a conversation that‘ll help women discuss their challenges in the field as individuals and the negotiating that takes place within their organization, households and economical and political spaces.