The Daduram temple hall of Parsantaj village in Kheda witnessed a powerful event today.
Women members of the Kheda Women Farmers Cooperative (a.k.a Kheda Mandali) arrived in trucks and autos, dressed in sarees and smiles, marking the start of their Annual General Meeting. Registration began with signs and thumbprints from 52 women of the cooperative, gearing up for their AGM, known as the Varshik Sadharan Sabha of 2024.
What does an Annual General Meeting mean for informal women workers?
Cooperatives are social businesses. Along with economic objectives they are rooted in social justice focussing on each member’s growth. An AGM hence becomes a place of contact with the members – to share, discuss and hear their voices which guides the future of the cooperative. For the informal women worker, an AGM helps her to see her growth in alignment with her cooperative’s growth. It also strengthens her identity as part of a collective movement. Today 52 women came together to decide – what their and their mandali’s future will look like. For the Kheda Mandali, started in 2011 and revived in 2021, this marked a significant step.
What does it take to conduct the AGM?
The 11 board members, under the leadership of chairperson Shardaben and with the guidance and business mentorship of the Federation’s Enterprise Development team, took on the task of organising the AGM. They made the annual report of the mandali’s progress, decided the venue for conducting the large assembly and invited the members to the AGM. The time of AGM also factored in the women member availability in tandem with their farming season and the ever existing family responsibilities.
While preparing for the AGM, we spoke with Dakshaben, a young board member of Kheda – who volunteered for moderating the AGM, “I am not afraid to speak at the AGM tomorrow. I worry about how society will react, calling me a woman who speaks too much.” For the society however, Dakshaben has become a role model today, inspiring them with her confidence and fearlessness.
The AGM Insights
The meeting progressed with discussion on every agenda, backed by the annual report. Members debated and discussed how the cooperative would progress in the coming year. They reviewed the year that went by in terms of the finances of the mandali, allocation of net profit, and a new business plan. They aimed to increase the cooperative’s area of operation and serve district-wide, which required change in the cooperative’s bylaws. The cooperative also approved new board members and set targets to increase the current turnover by 30%. Each agenda was passed ahead with the approval of the members with a show of hands. Thus, each member, in adherence to the democratic functioning of the mandali, had a say in its future.
For the exposure of the mandali’s members – Federation leaders, members from Argentina’s Unión de Trabajadores de la Economía Popular (UTEP) and ATMA Foundation were also invited. Rosaline from UTEP, Argentina, encouraged the women to lead and not give up, sharing her experience as a farmer and mother. Representatives from the ATMA Foundation emphasised the importance of organic farming and its benefits. These sessions helped the board and its members to pin a vision for the mandali and map out the road ahead.
As the slogan “Hum Sab Ek Hain” (we all are one) echoed in the village of Kheda, the cooperative geared up for its next tenure. The AGM proved to be an important milestone for the Kheda Mandali. By setting a clear direction for the cooperative and its board for the coming year, it also defined ambitious business plans and targets for growth. The AGM ended up inspiring all members to strive for a better future for themselves and their sisters.
To the Will and Future of the Women of Kheda Mandali
The AGM today was a celebration of the will and commitment of the women of the Mandali.
Shardaben, once not allowed to step out of her house, now serves as chairperson, driving the Mandali forward. Her husband attended the entire meeting today and waited to take her home.
Laxmiben, who managed the mandali’s accounts for six months before an accident stopped her, convinced her family of the meeting’s importance. She is now the youngest board member.
Dakshaben, the fearless moderator of today’s AGM, brought her child along, as her family did not offer her any support – discouraging her to speak in public.
The meeting ended with Kamla Bhasin’s song, “tod tod ke bandhano ko dekho behane aati hai,” (see the women come, breaking the hurdles), capturing the spirit of SEWA’s informal women workers. Despite societal hurdles, they remain dedicated to their mandali and their future.
