📢 Advocacy & Policy Support Programme

Siri Mahila Sadhikaraka Welfare Society (SMSWS) drives community-led advocacy to influence policies, improve access to government services and strengthen rights-based systems for women and marginalized groups. Through structured engagements with government departments, district authorities, legal institutions and community leaders, this programme ensures that community voices shape policies and public programmes.

🎯 Programme Objectives

• 📢 Amplify the voices of marginalized women & vulnerable groups in policy spaces
• 🏛️ Improve access to schemes, legal protections and social welfare services
• 🤝 Strengthen collaboration between communities and government departments
• ⚖️ Advocate for rights, dignity and non-discrimination
• 📄 Influence systemic changes through policy dialogue and evidence building

📘 Key Advocacy Activities

• 🏛️ District-Level Advocacy Meetings with MRO, MPDO, police, DLSA & health officials
• 📣 Policy Dialogue Forums to highlight community issues and needed reforms
• ⚖️ Advocacy on Supreme Court Judgements affecting vulnerable women
• 🧑‍⚖️ Legal Advocacy — promoting access to legal aid, rights awareness & justice systems
• 📑 Submission of Petitions related to documentation, welfare access & grievances
• 📊 Evidence-Based Campaigns using beneficiary data, stories & field observations
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Community Representation in district platforms & committee meetings
• 📢 Awareness Rallies (e.g., World AIDS Day, Women’s Rights Day)

🛠️ Implementation Framework

• 📍 Identifying policy gaps and key issues faced by the community
• 🗂️ Preparing issue briefs, reports and evidence documents
• 🤝 Engaging with district stakeholders and duty-bearers
• 🔗 Organising joint meetings between community, police and administrative leaders
• 📆 Scheduling quarterly advocacy events and review meetings
• 📢 Presenting success stories and systemic challenges to influence decisions
• 🔁 Following up on commitments made by departments

🎨 Campaign Tools & Materials

• 📘 Policy briefs, position papers and issue summaries
• 📊 Advocacy dashboards and data sheets
• 📸 Testimonial videos and community case stories
• 🎨 Posters & IEC materials for public campaigns
• 🎤 Press notes and awareness messages for local media

🤝 Key Partnerships

• 🏛️ District Administration (MRO, MPDO, Collectors)
• ⚖️ District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)
• 👮 Police Department & Women Protection Cells
• 🏥 Health & Social Welfare Departments
• 🎗️ SAATHII, SMS Bangalore & allied CBO networks
• 💼 CSR partners supporting advocacy material & events

📋 Monitoring & Key Indicators

• 📌 Number of advocacy meetings held with departments
• 📈 Policy or administrative changes influenced
• 📄 Number of petitions submitted & resolved
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Community members participating in policy dialogues
• 📢 Increase in scheme access (SP IDs, bank accounts, certificates)
• 📸 Documentation of advocacy outcomes and impact stories

🔒 Values, Ethics & Safeguards

• ⚖️ Rights-based, non-discriminatory & inclusive advocacy
• 🔐 Confidential handling of sensitive cases & testimonies
• 🫶 Respectful engagement with all government stakeholders
• 📢 Transparent communication with communities about outcomes
• 🧩 Evidence-driven decision-making & accountability

💰 Indicative Budget Components

• 🏛️ Advocacy Meetings & Forums — ₹5,000–₹20,000
• 📘 Policy Briefs & IEC Material — ₹2,000–₹10,000
• 🚐 Travel & coordination cost — ₹1,000–₹8,000
• 📊 Research & Documentation — project-based budgets
• 🎤 Media & awareness campaigns — depending on scale

🗣️ Voices from the Field

“Through SMSWS advocacy meetings, many women now access schemes like pensions and bank accounts without fear or complications.”
– Community Facilitator, Srikakulam

📞 Contact for Advocacy Support

Unit: Advocacy & Policy Support Programme (SMSWS)
Phone / WhatsApp: +91 939 827 6995
Email: smswscbo995@gmail.com
Next step: Share your advocacy requirement — our team will plan a policy engagement strategy.