Empower 2,000 women in the Rural Himalayas

Summary

This project integrates rural technology that is easy to construct, socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally friendly to strengthen rural livelihoods and reduce women’s drudgery.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Poor rural communities’ face shrinking water resources, forest degradation, lack of appropriate agricultural technologies, poor market linkages, and drudgery of women. Women’s status is miserable due to heavy workload and poor returns from agriculture. Project beneficiaries are marginal farmers, women, and rural artisans. The project empowers village communities to alleviate poverty by including them in project planning and decision-making. Labor contributions from farmers are required.

How will this project solve this problem?

• Involve community in project planning, implementation, & evaluation • Build capacity for village institutions & farmers • Demonstrate and promote low-cost rural technology • Ensure demand for interventions by requiring farmer labor contribution

Potential Long Term Impact

• Women’s empowerment • Increased farmer income • Better nutrition and health from vegetables • Reduced degradation of natural resources • Strong communities and institutions • Demonstrated a project model to scale up for Uttaranchal state

Project Message

This project lets us devote more time to family, earning income, and participating in community decision-making. It also forced government staff to provide better rural development schemes.
- Mrs. Anandi Devi, Village council head, Banduri village, Uttaranchal

Additional Documentation

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

Resources