Meera informed us that before starting the seven-day training, there was an important preliminary step we needed to discuss. As planned, we gathered to address this, and Meera, our trainer, warmly welcomed us. After a few informal conversations, she began by asking us what came to mind when we heard the word “situation.”
We exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what she meant. Was it about material things or something else? Some of us seemed to have ideas, but no one felt confident enough to speak up. Sensing our hesitation, Meera explained that a situational analysis involves identifying the issues we face in our daily lives.
The room fell silent for a moment, as her words sunk in. Then, Meera resumed, guiding us to focus on five specific themes: personal hygiene and sanitation, child rights and child development, women’s rights and empowerment, resource identification and mobilization, and marketing. She elaborated on each theme, describing the challenges we might encounter.
For instance, under women’s rights and empowerment, she highlighted the various forms of violence women face—mental, social, financial, and political—as well as the discrimination they endure. She gave us relatable examples that opened our eyes. We realized we had never considered many of these issues as part of our struggles, and the discussions made us recognize how limited our understanding was.
Meera also emphasized the importance of speaking up. If we remain shy or reluctant to share our challenges, the issues will persist unresolved. She encouraged us to build trust within the group and assured us that everything shared would remain confidential within the room.
As she spoke, I felt hopeful and inspired. It became clear that identifying our problems and discussing them openly could lead to meaningful solutions. Meera then explained the next steps: we would pinpoint our key issues and create indicators to measure progress toward resolving them gradually.
For me, everything felt new and enlightening. This experience offered a fresh perspective, and I am eager to learn more and see how we can bring positive change together.