Rural women support their families and villages

Summary

Seva Mandir helps village communities strengthen land-based & alternate income generating programs; build strong networks of people – especially self-help groups for women to attain financial freedom

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Rural tribal women in SM’s (Seva Mandir) work area are in disadvantaged position in terms of social, institutional & human development indicators. SM works with rural tribal women in expanding their capacity to have control over their own economic circumstances to secure more just & equitable gender relations in the society. The 573 Self Help Groups (SHGs) with 8,415 women have access to over Rs. 10 million. Around 900 women have got into small business with the help of SHGs.

How will this project solve this problem?

Formation of Women’s groups to create a platform of mutual learning, sharing & empowerment. Training them to keep records of savings, exercise petty loans & helping them mobilize resources from Banks, Village Funds etc to take up small businesses

Potential Long Term Impact

SHGs help women gain confidence socially, institutionally & economically. These efforts can lead them to new roles as major contributors to family income & ultimately transforming their position & status within the household & the community at large

Project Message

Women often have no access to cash/ loans for emergencies, production & consumption expenditure. Hence, loans from their SHGs save them from the clutches of moneylenders & mishaps due to lack of money
- Ms. Swati Patel, Secretary Women’s Empowerment & Child Development

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources