Developing poverty eradication strategies 

                        Using the human rights framework

Building National Capacities for Research and Policy Analysis

The research will identify poverty with special reference to human rights denial in relation to gender and disaggregated along religion, caste, urbanisation and family

Identify a set of operational poverty alleviation programmes/schemes in West Bengal in relation to gender

Assess strength, weaknesses in conceptualisation and delivery of above programmes and schemes in relation to gender

Associate gender poverty experience, human rights denial to gaps in policies & programmes of the State

Suggest measures that would make programmes/schemes under study more effective instruments of poverty alleviation and thus enhance the government's poverty alleviation strategy

• Right to food

• Right to health

• Right to education

• Right to decent work

• Right to housing

 The following tools is being used in the research: 

Observation and participant observation

Field notes

In-depth interviews

Both qualitative and quantitative analysis would be done.

The district is surrounded by Kolkata, Nadia, 24Pargans(S) and Hugli district and Bangladesh.

Many marginal and vulnerable groups live in the areas. The regions possess distinct ethnic identities as well.

• Study policies and schemes of Government of India and West Bengal government on women’s welfare

• Study international treaties on human rights, ratified by India

• Study Constitution from perspective of international laws of human rights & poverty

• Prepare norms and questionnaires for in-depth interviews. Test format through ‘trial’ on some poor women.

• Undertake workshop among researchers on research methods and processes

• Selection and interview of 200 very poor families for targeted research using indicators based on Government of India norms

• Analyse and categorise findings

• Start linking interview findings with policies, programmes of the State

• Complete linking interview findings with policies, programmes of the State

• Analyse work to understand gaps in strategy

• If required, consolidate findings through more in-depth interviews and focused group discussions in the community

• Conduct seminar at district level, with representatives and officials of local governments and representatives of the state government, based on existing research

• Conduct seminar in Kolkata among higher officials of the West Bengal government, based on existing research

• Prepare recommendations