- Watershed management programmes.
Empowering rural women: A sustainable
approach to livelihood development.
EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN. - PROGRAMME BENEFICIARY
The hilly terrain of the Sahyadri ranges in the Khandala block of Satara district is home to villages facing economic challenges, who are primarily dependent on agriculture and labour. These villages struggle with limited income sources, prompting the need for alternative livelihood opportunities.
State: Maharashtra
District: Dahanu
Particularly, landless households find themselves in a survival crisis, leading to temporary migration to the nearby industrial area for employment. This crisis underscores the urgency of reducing migration and establishing sustainable livelihoods for these vulnerable families.
We have therefore engaged with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to understand the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, specifically those running tailoring enterprises. It emerged that issues related to electricity and timely completion of work were hindering their progress. In the pursuit of suitable solutions, we found the Selco Foundation, which specialises in supporting small and medium-scale entrepreneurs with energy-efficient solar solutions to enhance productivity and income.
We decided to support Selco and the women entrepreneurs through a solar system for their sewing machines, to not only improve the daily operations of these enterprises but also contribute to sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
The implementation of solar systems for sewing machines has already demonstrated positive outcomes. Three women entrepreneurs have reported increased daily revenue, reduced sewing time per fabric, and a noteworthy decrease in electricity usage over the past month. The impact extends beyond economic aspects, as the women expressed gratitude for the team's support, emphasising the positive influence on their overall well-being.
This collaborative effort aims to create a ripple effect of economic growth, fostering a sustainable and empowered community.