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Self-Help Group
New Awakenings
Captain Kanak Naik explains to leaders the work of the Self-Help Group. (for further insight into Captain Naik's work, see 'A new identify'.
The group awarded a certificate for initiative and marketing.
Self-Help group (volunteers) repairing their local road.
Change is happening. It is sweeping across almost every state in India. A new awakening has begun. Both governmental and non- governmental bodies are committed to facilitate the change.
The Salvation Army in India rose to the needs of the time. Towards the end of the 20th century, members of the women’s advisory council decided to work with the grass roots level women. Nine Women’s Development Officers were appointed to coordinate and facilitate Women’s empowerment .In Orissa 25 self-help groups (SHGs) were formed. The women’s development officer Captain Kanak Naik received State government recognition for her commitment and drive. In Andhra Pradesh, what began as Mahila Mandals has now grown into SHGs that are now guided by our WDO Captain Manikumari. Similar things are happening in Kerala and in Thirunelveli in Tamil Nadu.
Women are no more confined to kitchen corners. Slowly they are now establishing an image for themselves in society. Women now occupy important positions right from politicians & scientists to Indian
Administrative Services & Indian Police Services (IAS/IPS ). However in many parts of the country, gender inequality has manifested itself in various forms, the most obvious being the discrimination against girl children, adolescent girls and women. The government and voluntary agencies are trying to eliminate this discrimination and all forms of violence against women and girl children by building up and strengthening many partnerships within society.
The government, through the rapid development and expansion of rural banks and with the help from voluntary groups, is trying to provide and improve the availability, access and delivery of micro credit to the poor.
Once known for poverty and hunger, small villages now have a sense of security. Barely three years ago, the villagers were neck deep in debt. Year after year, they were begging and borrowing from money- lenders who suppressed the village economy.
Today it is different story. The change has come from within groups of illiterate women. These women were motivated to form self-help groups (SHGs) and to avail themselves of government loans at low interest rates (or without any interest). They started income generating work and began developing savings groups. The lending and saving schemes described as “micro-financing or micro-credit” are seen as the viable solution to livelihood where poverty is the main factor. Now the women walk all the way to the bank and the money lenders are extinct.
SHGs are formed, offering space for women to come together and to derive moral support from each other, and to seek interest free loans to enhance their family’s income capacity.
The anti arrack* agitation of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh has been one of the most significant women’s agitations in the last decade. In the light of a deteriorating economic situation, including economic reforms that affected the poor, liquor emerged as a central issue that pushed household economies to the brink, However many changes have now taken place in these villages.
An effective thrift programme, which is self managed has been followed by an effective social action by women’s groups against social crimes such as female infanticide, child marriages, rape and other forms of violence against women. All this reveals that the women’s collective struggle against arrack has a greater value than the elimination of liquor from households.
The Women’s Development Officers(WDOs), appointed in nine different regions of India, come together to equip themselves with necessary knowledge and skills to fulfil their roles effectively. These annual workshops are organised by Lt Colonel P Victoria, executive secretary for the women’s advisory council for India. The WDO’s debrief and share together their experiences. Professional resource persons from a nearby women’s university, other NGO’s (non-government organisations) and the Salvation Army are invited to participate. It is a teaching and learning process. New ideas and new methods are shared, with professionals responding to many questions, and motivating and encouraging each WDO to return and continue her outreach work among the least and the lowliest in the rural areas of India.
* arrack – home brewed liquor
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