Our Women's sewing centres provide a chance to earn a skill which can give women an all-important source of independent income. Based in some of the poorest villages in India these centres are much more than just a classroom. They provide a safe and supportive environment for women to meet and support each other in a culture where such opportunities can be rare.
The status of women in the rural areas of South Bihar is still extremely poor. We have heard of examples where women are not allowed anywhere except for the local market. These centres provide a safe and supportive environment where women can meet socially learn a skill and support each other . The fact they will have an independent source of income changes the power dynamics in families for the better. Women have banded together as a group to stop abusing husbands and link with other groups.
After reaching proficiency on foot operated machines the women are given a soft low interest loan not for a machine but for cloth. They are provided with one of the machines they learned on so that they can immediately start earning income by selling clothes at local markets and the returned loan money goes back Into the sewing centre to help towards self-sufficiency. The women often bring thier young children to the centre.
There is a potential combined with education of more girls in this rural community that women organising themselves to stand up for their rights can change outdated and long established unfair and unjust practices , decrease discrimination and enhance the status of women in the local community. Please help us be a force for positive and much needed change and support these women and girls. They need your help..
