EARTH SUMMIT+5 Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 New York, 23-27 June 1997 SUCCESS STORIES FROM INDIA

	Community Women's Participation to Ban "Country Liquor"
	Location	Orissa State, India
	Responsible organization	Community women's groups, and Friends Association for Rural Reconstruction (FARR), a local non-governmental organization
	Description	In 1993, the Government of Orissa, community-based women's groups, and a local NGO (Friends Association for Rural Reconstruction - FARR) held a meeting to discuss women's needs in Orissa. The primary issue of concern was the consumption of illegally brewed alcohol "country liquor" by men. It was estimated that up to 20% of daily income was spent on "country liquor" by male wage-earners. Women's groups organized themselves to stop this use of family income, and to redirect that money to the real needs of families, such as education of children. In April 1994, the Government of the State of Orissa announced a ban on the sale of "country liquor". The pressure from women's groups has empowered women in a number of ways: not only are more children receiving an education, but the Government has come to realize the strength of the women's movement.
	Issues addressed	Economic empowerment
	Objectives	To empower women to have control over the economic resources of their families
	Results achieved	The women's lobby influenced the State Government to order a ban on the sale of illegal liquor.
	Lessons learned	When you empower women, you empower both families and communities.
	Financing	Self-financing through volunteer labour
	Contact	Ms. Rabindra Nath Sabat FARR Project Coordinator LL/3, Civil Township, Area 7 & 8 Rourkela, 769004 Orissa, India Fax: + 91 661/890 899