WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN JAWHAR AND MOKHADA, INDIA

Creation of federations of women's self-help groups for rights and service development.

Partner organization

Goals

Creating and operating more than 200 Panchayat level federations, 60 cluster level federations and 2 Block level federations Active participation of about 250 women leaders in programmes and activities of the federations. Collective actions on water and employment will be organised by uniting all women SHGs in a mass women's movement.

Beneficiaries

Firstly: 350 SHGs (Self Help Group), 5,000 women. Finally: 450 SHGs, 6,000 women.

Protagonists

Briefing

BSVS started its programme for empowerment and development of Tribal women five years ago in Jawhar and Mokhada in 2012 with the objective to: increase unity among women, enhance women’s knowledge, improve their sources of income through entrepreneurship. Self-help groups (SHGs) of approx. 10 women each were formed, meeting twice a month to manage and promote savings and other development initiatives. At present there are about 300 SHGs (Self Help Groups) with 4000 women receiving training in:

1. Entrepreneurship development – to start small income generation programmes.
2. Taking leadership and participating in various Governance processes.
3. Acquiring knowledge on various legislations, rights, entitlements and Government schemes.

They need support to come together to fight for their basic rights to housing, water, employment, privileges and entitlements.
Federating these groups at different levels is identified as the best solution for their empowerment: They need capacities and skills to work together to obtain their rights before local institutions.
BSVS is a non-profit non-governmental organisation working for the overall development of tribal youth in Thane district, Maharashtra. Poverty, illiteracy, indebtedness and malnutrition are the main concerns of the tribal people. BSVS believes that, the situation can be changed through systematic intervention and people can live their lives with dignity. It is run by the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Execution period

May 2017 – Now