Livelihood for 500 Tribal Women in Gujarat

Greetings. The past few months have been very busy for the members of Sakhi Sangtathan. First there was a three-day legal training at Vikalp Women’s Group where the women were versed in the Indian laws and acts that they work with frequently. They were given tools to better understand their rights and how to work within the system to get what they need. For example, they spent one day of the training learning how to fill out forms for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), through this act the women are learning to file applications to demand work for 100 days. This is an act that the women must know intimately because they come into contact with this regularly. This will help Sakhi Sangathan and Mahila Panch (the better assist their community as well as other members of Sakhi Sangathan. By the end of the three days, everyone had learned the procedures and necessary documentation to file complaints and follow up with the local government on a variety of legal issues. A few weeks later there was an exposure visit to Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS), a women’s organization, which works on issues of livelihood, they are located in western Gujarat. The women traveled together to Kutch in a bus listening to music and enjoying one another’s company. They had the chance to visit one of the Sangathans (women’s group) of KMVS that has been around for years and is quite well established. It was a great opportunity to learn about another organization that is working on similar issues. They were able to spend the whole day observing how the women of KMVS work. There was discussion of best practices and the different methods that KMVS uses. We also had time for questions and getting to know each other. They also bought and sold manure to members of Sakhi Sangathan and sold out! This has been a wonderful way to start a new business venture. They are planning to buy even more manure (with your help) next year!

Hello! Excitement was in the air as the women of Sakhi Sangathan prepared for their celebration of Environmental Day. On May 30th, women arrived with axes and picks in hand ready to dig holes so that they could plant tree saplings the following week. Humidity had begun to fill the air, and it looked as though rain would follow in the next few weeks. Vikalp staff members joined in the preparations and Sakhi Sangathan members taught techniques for handling the tools and digging proper holes. Laughter and high spirits could be seen and heard all around.

Once the digging was complete, everyone gathered in the small outside amphitheatre as one of the field officers facilitated a discussion about the recent results of the elections. The women have decided set up meetings with their representatives in the coming months so that they can address the issues that are facing their communities. They plan to compile a list of all the issues and present it to the representatives during the meeting. This is Sakhi Sangathan’s first step into politics (as a group). It’s a sign of the power and influence these women can harness to improve the quality of life for themselves and their communities. Please show your support and donate today! We have posted a few new pictures from the preparations on May 30 enjoy.