Empower Women to Seek New Opportunities in India

15 Self Help Groups in all have been formed under the project during the reporting period. These groups of women focus on empowering the women of the region through education, capacity building, vocational training and small loans for income-generating projects.

5 of the groups were provided with start-up capital for microloans. These groups are from the Gagadi field center of GRAVIS. They were given the fund for starting various income generating activities. This money is being used as a revolving fund for strengthening small businesses started in remote villages by local women. So far, they have set up grocery shops, vegetable stands and soap production facilities.

Thank you for all your support for this project. To continue to support GRAVIS’ work please visit Project 2171 – Help women secure food and water in India.

Since the last project update in March 2008, GRAVIS has formed 4 more self-help groups (SHGs), having now formed a total of 12 SHGs in the past year. GRAVIS is currently helping the 4 new SHGs to access capital assistance form the local banks, to be able to manage income-generating projects. The new members will be carrying out projects in livestock rearing, improving agricultural practices and investment for grocery and vegetables shops at their village.

In the past six months eight new self-help groups (SHGs) have been formed in the project villages. GRAVIS helped establish five of these SHGs and contributed a total of US$2,000 to the eight SHGs, as seed capital to start their revolving loan funds.

With each of their monthly visits, GRAVIS’s field workers have noticed a significant increase in women’s involvement in the SHG monthly meetings. They have seen not only a higher attendance rate, but also the participation level has gone up. Women are now putting forth their views and opinions and showing more initiative by making decisions in the group.