The low sex ratio, no economic value
attached to the domestic chores of women, no decision making power, no
economic standing plus the social onslaughts of neglect, discrimination in
food, provision of education and dowry at the time of marriage have all
relegated and pushed the women to a croner with no avenues for
development.
Given this general scenario of women especially in rural sectors a
comprehensive program to cover different socio-economic aspects of women
through the formation of the women groups was started by the organisation.
The major focus revolves around the overall development of their village,
tackling the social issues affecting them, the collective participation in
thrift and credit and revolving the money among the group members for
consumer and consumption and loans.
The impact of the group formation has led to the following changes in the
rural scenario:
· The moneylenders in the villages had to take back steps as the women
groups did not allow the money lender to carry on his unscrupulous lending
practices.
· The women and the community in general were able to generate their own
money and bring it to use in dire circumstancaes through the group
efforts.
· The average savings of each women ranges between Rs. 10 - Rs.50 per
month.
In addition to agricultural activities the women are also engaged in
seasonal business enterprises to enhance their income.
The ensuing issues at the village level both the social, economical and
developmental issues such as lack of drinking water, street lights, Public
distribution system are all tackled by the women group members themselves.
The women group members are also contesting in the local panchayat
elections and as well as assembly elections. There has been success
stories of atleast 22 grass roots women members being elected to the
panchayats and one women has got elected in the assembly as well.
Name of the trade No. of women benefitted
Embroidery cards 152
Coir manufacturing 124
Computer training 89
Tailoring 352
Food processing 523
Animal husbandary 987
Leasing of mango /coconut groves 18
Servicing of sewing machinges 9
Petty shop 28
Grocery shops 12
Goatery 420
Tamarind processing 96
Sale of grains/cotton/miscellaneous trade/ collection and storage of
forest produce 438
Paddy dehusking and marketing 302
Poultry 34
Palm and coconut leaves weaving 72
Total 3656
Provision of street lights 4658
Laying of new roads 35
Repair of existing roads 93
Construction of toilets 534
Construction of houses 976
Construction of drinking water wells 342
Credit assistance to women 5042
Repair of bore wells 487
Water supply through tankers 52
Linking with banking institutions 278
Ration cards 1617
Social welfare schemes 3092
Through this project Self Health Groups were promoted and savings habit of
the women were motivated and capacity building for rural women to organise
themselves into groups is an important component in this
project. It is also planned to increase employment to the rural women.
About 134 women groups were promoted through the project
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