PRASAD PROGRAMS | INDIA | SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Women's Self-Help Groups
Uniting & Empowering Women
Women in the Tansa Valley generally have little to no education, are reliant on their husbands to support the family, and are traditionally not leaders within their villages. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) unite women, empowering them to learn new skills, start small businesses and become leaders within their communities.
The Purpose of the Women’s Self-Help Groups is to increase women’s financial independence, foster savings and banking habits, inspire women to assume social responsibility, and maximize skills and confidence. When forming an SHG, participants agree to contribute a nominal sum of money every month to a common pool, which they use for group projects and to loan to each other.
Members receive literacy and numeracy education; business entrepreneurship and agriculture training; and learn how to set up systems to manage their finances, decision-making, and planning.
SHGs are involved in a range of projects, including running small collective businesses, improving the condition of roads and schools, organizing village cleanups, and promoting and accomplishing environmental initiatives.
Self-Help Groups have empowered women to become community leaders and to bring financial stability to their families, which we know from experience means that education and nutrition for children are given a higher priority in the household. In 2001, there were 11 PRASAD Chikitsa Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Tansa Valley in India. Today, that number has grown to 251 SHGs, comprising 2,800 members. Since the program began, more than 18,000 individuals have received training. The success of these SHGs is inspiring an increasing number of women to form their own groups.
Stories
Inspiring stories from PRASAD's work with Women's Self-Help Groups in the Tansa Valley, India.
Helping Women Thrive
In celebration of International Women’s Month, we are honoring women who are contributing to their families and communities in significant ways through our empowering Self-Help
Celebrate Women Every Day
On International Women’s Day, PRASAD Chikitsa distributed sewing and beading machines This month, in recognition of International Women’s Month, we are honoring the women of
The Ripple Effect – Empowered Women
Despite the pandemic, PRASAD Chikitsa continues to do two of the things it does best…building trust among tribal communities and empowering women to become self-reliant.
Help communities grow
PRASAD works within local conditions and alongside local cultures to change lives. There are a number of ways you can support PRASAD, whether through ongoing monthly giving or a one-time donation.
