Empowering Mothers of the Disabled for Partnership

Summary

Gender bias is more pronounced in poverty areas. Training women and mothers of disabled children to generate incomes and take on responsibilities in our work empowers them, and gives us a core group.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Beneficiaries are women, particularly mothers of the disabled, who are living in poverty and denied opportunities for a better quality of life. They remain financially dependent, have no concept of their rights, and most accept abuse and their role as sole caretakers of the disabled member of the family. But these women have potential: innate child-rearing skills. If provided with opportunities for development, they can improve their own life and that of their families.

How will this project solve this problem?

Education of disabled women to allow them to read, write, and learn vocational skills for income generation.

Potential Long Term Impact

Empowering women and particularly mothers of the disabled to become partners in our work will provide opportunities for financial independence. The women also gain status as valued members of our organization, thus changing community perceptions.

Project Message

Earning an income has made me financially independent. Even my son who is severely disabled now earns. It has made a difference in the way my family and even my mother-in-law sees us now.
- Khima Devi, Mother of a disabled son and member SHG

Additional Documentation

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

Resources