Stree Mukti Sanghatana : exploring the work of an Indian NGO through gender, economy, and civil society

Abstract

Learning how to use multiple tools to develop a rich and complex base of knowledge is at the core of the planning profession. While it is easy to acknowledge the importance of such integration in the development of a comprehensive, multi-faceted analytical framework, it is more difficult to apply in daily practice. It is only through constant reflection and a willingness to let go of specific conceptions of what is true that a planner is able to develop his or her skills. In my work with Stree Mukti Sanghatana (SMS), an NGO in Mumbai, India, I was able to simultaneously reflect upon my role as a planner and the organization's role as a supporter of female waste pickers. There are many parallels between my own journey and that of SMS, as it continues to expand its mission and engage with new communities. Combining my experience with the knowledge of other participants and researchers, I analyzed the case through the frames of gender, economy, and civil society. It was only through the synthesis of multiple sources of information that I was able to find the intersection between my skill set and the needs of the organization. Rather than focusing on the construction of a series of biodigesters, which was my initial approach, I came to realize that supporting the growth and development of SMS' zero waste school/environmental center might be a better role for me as a planner.