Udayani Social Action Forum

OBJECTIVES

• To realize the power (shakti) of women as women
• To unite women for their economic, social, political and cultural empowerment
• To build SHGs among deprived women
• To create awareness and sensitize women on various issues such as health, hygiene, AIDS, Immunization and other social evils
• To promote gender justice and equality through gender mainstreaming

HIGHLIGHTS

• Three one-day SHG training programmes for 249 women of 6 different areas in Kalna I & II blocks, focusing on SHG formation and awareness on health/hygiene and AIDS
• Vocational training, embroidery and tailoring for 150 girls from the slums
• Awareness on health issues like, Malaria, Dengue, AIDS, Sanitation and importance of nutrition in Kolkata slums
• Awareness generation on the need and value of birth registration and right to vote
• 2 Women's day celebration at Baruipur and City slums with cultural programmes

Women SHG members participating in a singing competition in South 24 Parganas Dist.

Women Empowerment training in Kalna

Fr. Jothi conducting an SHG meeting

SHG Statement :

• No. of SHGs - 65
• No. of Members - 648
• Total Savings - Rs. 2,56,815
• Groups linked with banks - 30
• Formation of “Gram Kosh” - a common village fund for employment and skills training for women

IMPACT

• Training of local women to take up issues with the help of local clubs
• Muslim women participating in programmes that are held outside their locality
• Enhanced health and legal awareness and immunization of all children
• Women taking initiative for savings
• SHGs have helped women to campaign against oppressive social practices and become a force of development in their villages
• Unity among women towards issues affecting their lives
• Santhal SHG women who only knew to borrow for all these years for their various needs are giving loans today to others including bengalis
• Child marriage cases have decreased
• Increased role of leadership in the family and community among santhal women.

Santhal SHG leaders

A Cultural Dance

A women SHG team members