Empowering Women To Become Self-reliant

"Empowering Women to become Self-Reliant" Submitted by:

Gramin Vikas Sewa Samiti Moh.- Shakti Nagar (Nebulwatal), Behind Kartar Cinema, Po.- Gandhi Nagar Distt.- Basti (U.P.) "Empowering Women to become Self-Reliant"

About organisation Grameen Vikas Sewa Samiti was developed by likeminded people with a goal to capitulate and abet the process of economic development and social change. To achieve this goal organisation has created vision and mission which is as under: Vision: To challenge the social inequalities and empower vulnerable population by enabling them to help themselves. Mission: To mobilise and harness the power of community at large to combat against social evils and discriminations which hinders the progress of the community Values: Compassion: Being aware of the suffering and difficulties of others and want to contribute for it. Respect: Having compassionate consideration of others by listening and trying to understand. Responsiveness: Moving to action with an understanding of the needs of our community. Stewardship: Using resources, we to be responsive to the community, to provide maximum value to people who access our services, and to be accountable to all who support our work. Organization is actively providing community services in the felids of HIV/AIDS Prevention Care and Support; other Health care programmes like Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Leprosy; Integrated development of villages under village development programme; Water and sanitation, Empowering Women through skill development and SHG formation; Education of Women and Children and Primarily prevention activities and building Capacity of Civil Society Organisations.

Type of NGO

:

Registration No

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City of Registration

:

State of Registration

:

Date of Registration

FCRA details FCRA Registration no.

:

Sector/ Key Issues Education & Literacy, Environment & Forests, Health & Family Welfare, HIV/AIDS, Micro Finance Key Issues

: (SHGs), Rural Development & Poverty Alleviation, Vocational Training, Women's Development & Empowerment, Youth Affairs

Operational Area-States

:

Uttar Pradesh

Contact Details Registered Office: Vill : Bhaishiya Post – Dudhaura Address

: (Dillaya) District - Basti 272002U.P. India

City

: Basti

State

: Uttar Pradesh

Telephone

: 0500000000

Mobile No

: 09451000000

E-mail

: yxxxxxdav[dot]xgmail[dot]com

Website Url

: ggxxxabcabc

Fax

: 5555555555

Major assignments:  

Road Safety Awareness Program Prevention of HIV through Targeted Intervention Project among IDUs, Basti Prevention of HIV through Targeted Intervention among Migrants Prevention of HIV in rural areas of District Basti through Link Worker Scheme Innovations In Health Advocacy by PATH International Child Manifesto  Axshya Project – the global funds round - TB Project  Village Development Programme, Ministry of Rural Development  National Environment Awareness Campaign  Disater Management and awareness programme in Distt Basti  Sure Start Project PATH International  Sir Dorab ji Tata Trust

Introduction “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” India's Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) has recognized for the first time that women are not just as equal citizens but as agents of economic and social growth [1]. Any development strategy will be lopsided without involving women who constitute half of the world population. Women entrepreneurship has gained momentum since the early 1980s when countries in Asia (particularly India and China) and elsewhere started liberalizing their economies [2]. The resultant globalization propelled by Foreign Direct Investment, technological innovations and manufactured exports has brought a wide range of economic and social opportunities to women entrepreneurs.

Rationale for the proposed intervention; Problem Statement Empowerment of women is closely linked to the opportunities they have in education, health, employment and for political participation. The role played by rural women in India's economic development has not been assigned sufficient importance. Women face gender-specific barriers in access to education, health, and employment. As well, women have little control over assets. Women are often under-paid or unpaid for their work. Though, data on literacy rates, enrolment and drop rates in primary education, life expectancy, infant mortality, maternal mortality rates, etc. has shown a progressive trend, other parameters that reflect the status and position of women in society such as work participation rates, sex ratio in the age group of 0-6 years and gender based violence continue to be heavily distorted against women.

Need and scope of the present proposal Basti District is one among 71 Districts of Uttar Pradesh State, India. It is Located 206 KM west towards State capital Lucknow. District is sharing border with District Ambedkar Nagar, District Faizabad and Gonda. As per the census 2011, total population of the district is 2464464 out of which there are 1255272 males and 1209192 are females. Population wise this is 41st district in the state and 178th district at national level and if considering the land area it is 2 largest district in the state. As per 2011 census, 94.39 % population of Basti districts lives in rural areas of villages. Literacy rate of the district is around 56% which is low against the national average of around 60%. Only 33% male and 23% females are literate in the district which shows the backwardness of the district. This district has 39th rank in the state and 397th rank in India in literacy. Female literacy rate of rural area is far below therefore there is less exposure and most of the females are treated as marginalized population. As per census 2011 data there are only 32% population engaged in any income generation activity out of which only 9% females are involved in any kind of income generation activities. As per the need assessment and observation through other programmes being implemented but the organisation following issues has emerged categorically:

Key issues and linkages Reproductive health: Women, for both physiological and social reasons, are more vulnerable than men to reproductive health problems. Reproductive health problems, including maternal mortality and morbidity, represent a major – but preventable -- cause of death and disability for women. As far as District Basti is concerned as per available data it is found that still there is high IMR and MMR in the district. There is huge gap in providing information, services and conditions to help women protect their reproduction health therefore constitutes gender-based discrimination and a violation of women’s rights to health and life. Stewardship of natural resources: Women in Basti district are usually in charge of securing water, food and fuel and of overseeing family health and diet. Therefore, they tend to put into immediate practice whatever they learn about nutrition and preserving the environment and natural resources. Economic empowerment: More women than men live in poverty. Women hardly have any money at their discretion therefore totally dependent on husband or family members to fulfil their petty needs. Economic disparities persist partly because much of the unpaid work within families and communities falls on the shoulders of women and because they face discrimination in the economic sphere.

Educational empowerment: As far as Basti is concerned about two thirds of the illiterate adults are female. Further analysing the data it was found the around 60% of the total literate women have studied up to 5th standard. Higher levels of women's education are strongly associated with both lower infant mortality and lower fertility, as well as with higher levels of education and economic opportunity for their children. Political empowerment: Social and legal institutions still do not guarantee women equality in basic legal and human rights, in access to or control of land or other resources, in employment and earning, and social and political participation. Laws against domestic violence are often not enforced on behalf of women. Empowerment throughout the life cycle: Reproductive health is a lifetime concern for both women and men, from infancy to old age. UNFPA supports programming tailored to the different challenges they face at different times in life.

Beneficiary details (number of beneficiaries, process for identification, selection); Beneficiary for this programme will be rural women and they will be approached through self Help Groups

Identification and Formation of SHGs: This is the most important activity, since the progress of the project depends on the women selected to compose SHG groups. Out of a total of 201 gram panchayats in the four blocks, 50 village panchayats would be selected based on organisation's past intervention and expected project outcomes. 100 SHG groups, two each in every panchayat shall be formed constituting 10 members in each group. A total of 1000 beneficiaries would target during the project tenure.

S.N.

Blocks

Total Gram Panchayat

Total number of SHGs formed

70

Number of village panchayats targeted 15

30

Total number of beneficiaries targeted 300

1

Kudraha

2

Dubaulia

55

10

20

200

3

Bahadupur

74

15

30

300

4

Kaptanganj

61

10

20

200

Total

328

50

100

1000

Project Description The proposed project titled "Empowering Women to become Self-reliant" aims to improve the economic and health condition of women in selected intervention villages of Basti district through SHG formation and capacity building/skill development training programs. The project envisages providing a sustainable source of income to the beneficiaries by establishing production centres and improving their health parameters through nutritional awareness. Goal "To improve economic and health conditions of women beneficiaries in Kudraha, Dubaulia, Bahadupur, Kaptanganj blocks of Basti district, Uttar Pradesh." Objectives I.

To form 100 women Self Help Groups in Kudraha, Dubaulia, Bahadupur, Kaptanganj blocks of Basti district and improve their saving habits through capacity building programs.

II.

To improve the health parameters of the SHG members and generate livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries by promoting group entrepreneurship in the target areas.

III.

To sustain the income generating activities in the areas through establishment of production units and their market linkages.

Implementation Area The project shall be implemented in 50 selected villages of Kudraha, Dubaulia, Bahadupur, Kaptanganj blocks of District Basti, U.P. Duration The project is proposed for duration of 36 months. Proposed Outcomes 100 identifiable SHG groups formed in 50 gram panchayat of Kudraha, Dubaulia, Bahadupur and Kaptanganj blocks of District Basti. The members of the groups have inculcated the saving habit within them and have established a culture of self-help. Improvement in the health parameters, professional, technical and social skills of 1000 women beneficiaries of the SHG groups. 400 women beneficiaries empowered through skill development training programs in food processing and packaged drinking water to become rural entrepreneurs.

Approach and Methodology The project envisages to empower women to become self-reliant through formation of SHGs and inculcating saving habits in them. The project will be implemented with the full cooperation of the women beneficiaries from the villages and village leaders. It shall strive on their participation at every level and at every stage of the program.

Activities Baseline survey: At the onset, a baseline survey would be conducted in all the four blocks to study the socio-economic conditions of women in the areas. This survey shall also focus on availability of local resources and demand for skill development training programs in the areas of intervention. Primary research using questionnaires/ schedules will be conducted. Government officials, village leaders, private players etc. shall be contacted to prepare a detailed report on the status of the blocks.

Identification and Formation of SHGs: This is the most important activity, since the progress of the project depends on the women selected to compose SHG groups. Out of a total of 201 gram panchayats in the four blocks, 50 village panchayats would be selected based on organisation's past intervention and expected project outcomes. 100 SHG groups, two each in every panchayat shall be formed constituting 10 members in each group. A total of 1000 beneficiaries would target during the project tenure.

Number of village S.N.

Blocks

panchayats targeted

Total number of SHGs formed

Total number of beneficiaries targeted

1

Kudraha

15

30

300

2

Dubaulia

10

20

200

3

Bahadupur

15

30

300

4

Kaptanganj

10

20

200

328

50

100

Total

Awareness programs on health, hygiene and nutrition: After the formation of SHG groups awareness programs on health, hygiene and nutrition would be conducted. Good health care and nutrition during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood are essential but are often overlooked factors in the growth and development due to lack of awareness specially in villages. The mobilizers shall disseminate such information in the groups for achieving a better health status of the SHG members. The awareness programs would be followed up by health check-up camps. Eye check-up camps, blood test, etc would be conducted free of cost in the villages. Also iron capsules, sanitary napkins etc. would be distributed for free during the health camps. "Empowering Women to become Self-Reliant"

Awareness programs on health, hygiene and nutrition

13

Capacity building training on SHG concepts Assessment of SHGs Identification of training locations

Conducting Group Meetings for definite membership: Group formation is not complete with the first meeting. It takes several meetings over a period of 2 to 4 months for the group to have definite membership. During this period members may leave and others may join if the group agrees. The meetings held during this period are not only social gatherings but the members also raise issues concerning the family and the village. Matters regarding savings and lending are also debated thoroughly as this is the major common function of the group. The group should be identifiable and shall give itself a name. The members must agree to save and lend and establish a culture of self-help. Basic records like attendance register, minutes book and members savings ledgers should be maintained. If savings have begun, the group opens an account in the nearest Bank or Post Office.

Capacity Building training on SHG concepts and Group Stabilization: Once the SHG groups are formed and identifiable, capacity building training programs shall be conducted for the SHG members on various aspects of Self Help Groups. Leadership development, rules and regulations of SHGs, conflict resolution, credit linkages, book keeping etc. shall be the various aspects of training programs. The SHG training program would be a continuous process and it will be imparted throughout the project duration batch wise. Over the period, the groups must be stabilized by making their saving habits regular and strengthening their lending operations. Literacy and numeracy classes should be conducted and attended by all members. Meetings must be held regularly, preferably every week. Books like admission book, attendance register, minutes book, members savings ledger, members pass book, receipt voucher, payment voucher, cash book, general ledger, loan ledger, stock book are maintained either by a literate member of the group or by the mobilizers. This provides the members of the SHG with an opportunity to acquire the skills to manage its resources. The group decides on the rate of savings, on the timing of the loans, on the schedule of payments and repayments, and on the interest rates; it assesses when and whether the member needs a loan and whether she/he is able to use the loan effectively and to repay according to the schedule decided on.

Assessment of SHGs: Once the SHG groups are formed, trained and stabilized they will be assessed for the sake of identifying the 40 best SHGs out of the 100 SHGs formed. The main components of assessment would be the attendance level of the SHG members, their regularity of savings, inter-loaning history, repayment history, group cohesiveness, leadership qualities etc.

Identification of training locations for skill development training programs: Training shall be imparted at the location suitable to the beneficiaries. Four such locations shall be identified, one each in every block.

Conducting skill development training programs: The selected beneficiaries shall undergo skill development training in two of the trades chosen. In Kudraha and Dubaulia, Training on ‘Packaged drinking water’ shall be imparted and in Bahadupur and Kaptanganj training on ‘Food Processing’ shall be imparted. Detail study material shall be provided to each beneficiaries printed in their local language. Components of Packaged drinking water training program: The training shall provide the members an insight on:   

The water treatment plant layout & technology Guidance on plant & machineries & water pouches manufacturing plant Knowledge on certification (BIS certification)

   

Preparation of project report Govt. Financial schemes & subsidies Marketing management Exposure visits

Components of Food processing training program: The training shall provide the members an insight on: Opportunities in food Sector Processing on Fruits & Vegetables i.e. Dehydrated & canned products, Jam, Jelly, Squashes, Milk Products Grain Processing i.e. wafers, instant mix, spices, bakery, ready to eat/ fry & serve products, fish & meat products Technology and machinery Preservation methods Packaging and marketing Govt. Financial Schemes & Subsidies Project report & demonstrations Practical of food products The training shall be provided batch wise as per the table below catering a total of 400 beneficiaries from all the four blocks. S.N.

Blocks

Intervention

Trade

Duration

Total number of beneficiaries

1.

Kudraha

2.

Dubaulia

Packaged Drinking Group

Water

100 (4 batches) 3 months

100 (4 batches)

Entrepreneurship 3.

100 (4 batches)

Bahadupur Food Processing

4. Total

Kaptanganj

3 months 100 (4 batches) 400

Conducting training programs on Group Entrepreneurship & Life Skills: Training on group entrepreneurship is necessary to build a successful microenterprise. The self-help group is not a static institution; it grows on the resources and management skills of its members and their increasing confidence to get involved in issues and programs that require their involvement in the public and private spheres. Special training classes on group entrepreneurship shall be imparted to the trained SHG members so that they can run and manage their enterprise independently. Also life skills like, managing emotions, building relationships, resisting peer pressure, communication and negotiation skills shall also be taught to the beneficiaries. Information about proposal writing and submission, land development, subsidy details, funding agencies, central/state government schemes etc. shall also be a part of the training program. This shall enable the beneficiaries to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life.

Establishing manufacturing units: One packaged drinking water manufacturing unit shall be established in Kudraha block and one food processing unit shall be established in Bahadupur block. This shall provide sustainability to the project. The centres will be equipped with all the necessary equipments for its proper and fair functioning. Further registration of the centers, quality check etc shall be the part of the project.

Establishing backward linkages: During the project duration, the funds generated would meet the working capital requirement of the unit. Further, for the sustainability of the project and to meet working capital requirement of the unit at continual basis, various backward linkage between market and manufacturing unit would be promoted to encourage the seller to supply raw materials at an appropriate quality and price. The existing institutions like local bodies, cooperatives and whole sale market which have been in operation for a long time in different contexts would be utilized to strengthen the backward linkage. This way the skill and expertise acquired by the beneficiaries would be constructively used and this would ensure smooth supply of raw materials to the processing units. Establishing Forward linkages: This is very important strategy for selling the final product. If this is done properly, this would impact the whole project. Permanent and long term market is required to make this project sustainable. Local shopkeepers, wholesalers, retailers, and vendors shall be contacted for placing the final products manufactured by the beneficiaries. Since Eastern U.P. is a tourist destination due to Buddhist circuit attending melas and trade events in the district shall also be laid importance to. Further, proper attention will be given to improve the packaging quality for creating and sustaining market demand.

Project Review Meetings: Project review meetings will be held on a quarterly basis which shall be attended by the project team, and selected leaders from the beneficiaries. The objective of these meetings will be to review the strategies, discuss the challenges, conflict resolutions, and to devise ways to combat the challenges. In the review meetings, redress mechanisms will be set up. Through supportive discussions, solutions will be found for improving the quality levels. The existence of such mechanism is expected to strengthen the project intervention.

Dissemination Workshop & Certificate Distribution: After successful completion of the training programs, certificate distribution ceremony shall be organized centrally for all the participants. The knowledge and skills would be judged based on theoretical and practical examination conducted after the completion of training programs. Officials related to drinking water industry, food processing and renowned personalities along with media shall be invited to grace the ceremony. The beneficiaries shall speak about their success and shall encourage other community members.

Activity Chart Activity

S. N. 1

Baseline Survey

2

Identification, & formation of

SHGs

till

definite

membership 3

Awareness programs health,

hygiene

on and

nutrition 4

Capacity building on

SHG

training

concepts

and

Group Stabilization 5

Assessment of SHGs

6

Identification of

training

locations 7

Conducting

skill

development programs

training with

group

entrepreneurship and

life

skill inputs 8

Establishing manufacturing units

9

Establishing

backward

linkages 10

Establishing

forward

linkages 11 12

Review Meetings Certificate distribution & Dissemination workshop

M M

M M

M

M

M

1 2

3 4

5

6

7

M M 8

9

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

M

M

M

M

Implementation Team 1. Project Manager: S/he will be the head of the project and responsible for overall management and monitoring of the project. S/he will assign task to other staff of the project. S/he will also be responsible for identification of market linkages and credit linkages 2. Project Coordinator: S/he will be Responsible for assisting Program Manager in implementation of project activities. 3. SHG Coordinators: S/he will be responsible for SHG formation in the villages, assessment and selection of the beneficiaries under the guidance of Project Manager 4. Accounts Officer: He/she will be responsible for maintaining project accounts. 5. Support Staff: S/He will be responsible in carrying out documentation and supporting Project Manager & Monitoring Officer in all respect.

Monitoring & Evaluation Monitoring and evaluation of the project at regular intervals shall be done to ensure that the project activities are held efficiently and as per the schedule. The effectiveness of the implementation shall be monitored through: Assessment of key indicators. Weekly and monthly reports submitted by the Project Coordinator and Program Manager. Feedback from the workshops and seminars. Examinations conducted for the trainees. Feedbacks taken from the trainees as well as the trainers. Attendance registers (staffs, trainees, trainers). Inventory registers (training location) Monitoring reports would be prepared and submitted as per the specifications, highlighting the activities, achievements and challenges faced during the month Regular check on all these parameters and feedback provided thereafter for improvements shall lead to the achievement of the outcomes of the project.

Risks Assumptions & their management Local communities are negligence and are not interested in group activities like SHG. Political, Economic, Social and Technological conditions in the districts are not favorable. The women are reluctant to undergo training programs and emerge as an entrepreneur.

. To overcome the above mentioned risks and challenges following strategies will be adopted: 



Meetings shall be conducted in the districts to communicate the socio-economic importance of such an intervention. A pre-analysis of the existing conditions in the districts shall be done. Officials at the district level shall be approached and convinced about the importance of the same.

Project Sustainability As an immediate effect of the project, 1000 women beneficiaries have learnt the concept of self help and have inculcated saving habits within them. Further, 400 beneficiaries have been trained in entrepreneurship and skill development training programs. These skilled chunks shall act as change agents in their communities and shall communicate the importance of the project in the communities. The linkages formed during the course of this project with various external stakeholders and with markets would also continue to provide the technical support and market linkages required to run a successful enterprise. Eventually, technical expertise would also develop within the manufacturing units, making training and capacity building possible in-house sites and ascertain its safety and security. With the influx of more and more tourists the locals shall be empowered both socially and economically. Also the success could lead to more funding from the Central and the State Governments.