Report on DWFCS Empowerment Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Organizational Commitment

The Diocesan Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service (DWFCS), an affiliate of the Diocese of Amritsar (DoA), Church of North India (CNI), has formally renewed its commitment to advancing the empowerment of marginalized women. This initiative targets communities across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. The commitment was announced during the annual “Justina Day” commemoration, an event dedicated to fundraising in memory of Mrs Justina Walter for the welfare of underprivileged women and girls, aligning with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with SDG 5: Gender Equality

The core mission of the DWFCS directly supports the objectives of SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The organization’s efforts are concentrated on:

• Targeted empowerment programs for women in marginalized communities.
• Providing welfare and support systems for underprivileged girls to overcome systemic disadvantages.
• Mobilizing resources through events like Justina Day, specifically for initiatives that promote female empowerment.
• Sustained engagement with past beneficiaries to ensure long-term success and stability.

Contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education

A primary focus of the DWFCS is the advancement of SDG 4 by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for girls. Mrs Meena William, President of the DWFCS, highlighted that many young girls from resource-poor families are forced to abandon their educational aspirations. The organization addresses this challenge by:

1. Providing direct financial funding for the education of girls from underprivileged families.
2. Appealing to the community for donations, emphasizing that such contributions are a direct investment in empowering the girl child through education.
3. Monitoring progress, as confirmed by DWFCS Vice-President, Mrs Dorothy Howell John, who reported that a majority of previously funded students are successfully advancing to higher levels of education.

Addressing SDG 10 and SDG 1: Reduced Inequalities and No Poverty

The DWFCS’s work is intrinsically linked to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 1 (No Poverty). By focusing on “marginalized” and “less fortunate” women and girls, the fellowship aims to dismantle the barriers that perpetuate social and economic disparity. The Right Reverend Manoj Charan, Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar, reiterated the Diocese’s commitment to fortifying these efforts, which contribute to:

• Reducing inequalities based on gender and economic status.
• Providing pathways out of poverty through education and empowerment.
• Creating a foundation for economic independence and improved quality of life for beneficiaries and their families.

Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The operational model of the DWFCS exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The call for the Christian community to generously support the cause demonstrates a strategy of mobilizing local partnerships to achieve sustainable development. This collaborative approach involves a unified effort from the DWFCS leadership, the broader Diocese of Amritsar, and community members to collectively fund and support programs that empower women and girls, thereby strengthening the implementation of the SDGs at a grassroots level.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus on empowering marginalized women and providing educational opportunities for girls links the article to the following SDGs:

   • SDG 4: Quality Education – The article explicitly mentions funding the education of girls from underprivileged families.
   • SDG 5: Gender Equality – The core mission of the DWFCS is the “empowerment of the marginalized women,” which is a central theme of this goal.
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The focus on “underprivileged,” “less fortunate,” and “marginalized” groups directly addresses the aim of reducing inequalities within and among countries.
   • SDG 1: No Poverty – By providing education and empowerment opportunities to “less fortunate women and girls,” the initiatives aim to break the cycle of poverty, which is the essence of SDG 1.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the activities described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education…” The article’s focus on funding the education of girls so they can “proceed to the next level” aligns with ensuring the completion of quality education.
   • Target 4.5: “By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable…” This target is directly relevant as the DWFCS specifically supports “underprivileged girls” to overcome the “lack of resources” that prevents them from pursuing a quality education.

   SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: “End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.” The work with “marginalized women” aims to combat the social and economic discrimination they face.
   • Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life.” The “empowerment of the marginalized women” is a foundational step towards achieving this target, enabling them to participate more fully in economic and public life.

   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article’s central theme of empowering “marginalized women” and “underprivileged girls” from specific regions (Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh) is a direct implementation of this target.

   SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.2: “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty…” By providing education and empowerment, the DWFCS is tackling the root causes of poverty for the “less fortunate women and girls,” contributing to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Number of beneficiaries supported: The article mentions that DWFCS “has been in touch with the beneficiaries of its past empowerment initiatives,” implying they track the number of women and girls they support.
   • Educational progression rate: The statement that “a majority of the girls, whose education had been funded by the DWFCS, are ready to proceed to the next level” serves as a direct indicator of the success of their educational funding initiative. This measures the proportion of sponsored students who advance in their education.
   • Well-being of past beneficiaries: The comment that past beneficiaries “are doing fine” suggests a qualitative indicator used to measure the long-term impact of the empowerment programs on the lives of the women.
   • Amount of funds raised: The mention of “raising funds for the welfare of the less fortunate women and girls” implies that the total amount of money collected is a key performance indicator for the organization’s capacity to support its cause.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 4: Quality Education	4.5: Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access for the vulnerable.	Proportion of sponsored girls who “proceed to the next level” of education.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities.	Number of “marginalized women” participating in empowerment initiatives; Qualitative assessment that beneficiaries “are doing fine.”
   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all.	Number of “underprivileged” and “marginalized” women and girls supported by the initiatives.
   SDG 1: No Poverty	1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of people living in poverty.	Amount of funds raised “for the welfare of the less fortunate women and girls.”

Source: punjabnewsexpress.com