Can a woman’s voice and a small backyard truly spark change in rural India?
She speaks her mind. She grows her own food. And she is redefining what it means to lead. Meet Rekha Kumari, a changemaker from the Women’s Leadership School in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Through kitchen gardening and grassroots leadership training, women like Rekha are transforming not just their households but their entire communities.
The blog explores how simple efforts like leadership schools and kitchen gardens are helping rural women take charge of their future.
What are Women’s Leadership Schools, and why do they matter?
Women’s Leadership Schools are local learning spaces where rural women receive hands-on training in communication, civic awareness, and community leadership. These spaces help women find their voice, make informed decisions, and participate actively in the development of their villages.
- Learning their rights: Women learn about government schemes, legal rights, and how to access essential services.
- Becoming confident speakers: Through group discussions and activities, they build the confidence to speak in public and represent community needs.
- Leading locally: Many graduates go on to lead school committees, advocate for sanitation, and speak up in panchayat meetings.
Rekha Kumari’s journey, that started as quiet participation, has now grown into powerful local leadership. Today, she is a trusted voice for change.
How does a kitchen garden boost nutrition and self-reliance?
Kitchen gardening may seem simple, but its impact is profound—especially in areas where families struggle with poor diets and rising food prices. In Bihar, for example, NFHS-5 reports that 53 percent of rural women are anaemic and the growth of more than 40 percent of children is stunted. Kitchen gardens offer a sustainable fix.
- Nutritious meals: Families grow greens, gourds, beans, and herbs in their backyards—no middlemen, no pesticides.
- Money saved: Households save ₹500–₹1,000 per month on vegetables alone.
- Earn while you grow: Surplus produce is often sold locally, adding to the family’s income.
For Rekha and her neighbors, gardening is about more than food—it is about independence.
What support makes this movement possible?
Real change does not happen in isolation. Behind every woman stepping into leadership, or growing her own food, lies a strong foundation of support. These grassroots transformations are not spontaneous; they are carefully nurtured by a mix of institutions, individuals, and partnerships working together.
- NGO facilitation and mentorship: Organizations like S M Sehgal Foundation play a critical role by conducting training sessions, distributing kitchen garden kits, and offering on-ground mentoring. These programs provide information as well as handholding support—something first-time learners truly benefit from.
- Government schemes and convergence: Linkages with existing schemes such as ICDS, NRLM, and agricultural extension programs amplify the reach and effectiveness of community efforts. Women are guided on how to access free seeds, compost, or health check-ups through these channels.
- CSR and philanthropic support: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives fund the infrastructure, learning materials, and awareness events that make these programs possible. Without this backing, scaling to multiple villages would be difficult.
- Community networks and peer learning: Women learn best from each other. WhatsApp groups, SHGs, and community events help spread ideas, answer questions, and build solidarity.
Together these support systems create a safety net that empowers women to grow, lead, and sustain change. This web of support means that women like Rekha are not just learning—they are leading with confidence.
How can this model be scaled in other villages?
Scaling a model like Rekha Kumari’s journey is not just possible—it is practical. With the right steps, any village can nurture changemakers and food growers from within.
- Begin with local champions: Identify women who are already active in SHGs, anganwadis, or village meetings. Their trust within the community makes them ideal ambassadors for the program.
- Provide simple starter kits: Distribute kitchen garden kits that include seasonal seeds, organic compost, basic tools, and a step-by-step guide. Easy-to-use materials help overcome the fear of trying something new.
- Offer hands-on training: Organize short, field-based workshops on topics such as composting, crop rotation, and safe pesticide alternatives. These training builds confidence through practice.
- Create peer learning spaces: Encourage women to share their stories in community meetings and WhatsApp groups. Peer motivation leads to better adoption.
- Ensure follow-up and feedback: Set up monthly check-ins, either through SHG meetings or digital groups. Address challenges early and celebrate small wins.
- Partner with local institutions: Collaborate with schools, panchayats, or health centers to embed these models into community routines.
With the right momentum, what works in one village becomes a movement across districts.
What is the bigger impact of women leading change?
When women lead, everyone wins. Here’s how these efforts go beyond individuals:
- Better nutrition: More vegetables = less malnutrition. Hidden hunger is tackled at its root.
- Stronger voices: Women gain the confidence to speak up on decisions that affect their families.
- Improved earnings: Even small income boosts shift household dynamics.
- Cleaner, healthier communities: Women take the lead on sanitation, water, and health issues.
According to FAO India, home gardens and women’s education together have been shown to significantly reduce child malnutrition.
Final thoughts: A garden, a voice, a revolution
Rekha Kumari is no exception—she is an example. Her story reminds us that every woman has the potential to lead, given the right tools and support. Leadership Schools and kitchen gardens may look small on paper; but on the ground, they are changing lives—one woman, one family, and one village at a time.
About the Author
Ms. Pooja O. Murada
Principal lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation
Mass communications master’s; English honors; bridge marketing program (Tuck School of Business); over twenty years in brand management, marketing, and development communications in the corporate and development sector. Spearheaded a community radio in an aspirational district; former chairperson of the gender committee at Sehgal Foundation, invited ICC member, Volvo India, and former governing board member of Community Radio Association.
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