Empowering communities in socio-cultural, economic and political ways is vital for overall development and progress in South Asia, giving individuals more control over their lives, livelihoods and futures. Self-help groups are an excellent way to unite people in underprivileged communities and have emerged as a key driver of change.
Economic empowerment
India Central
India South Eastern
Vehicles of change: self-help groups
Self-help groups are an excellent way to unite people in underprivileged communities and have emerged as a key driver of change.
Women's self-determination
In India South Eastern Territory, the 370 self-help groups have contributed to a paradigm shift in women’s social and economic empowerment, granting them authority to make their own decisions regarding the use of their resources, promoting entrepreneurship and fostering economic inclusion.
This increases self-respect, family respect – a positive change in the attitudes of their husbands and other male family members – and improves their standing in their communities, liberating these women from mistreatment and oppression.
The previously impossible is now possible for these women! Taking leadership positions and interacting with government officials, they have begun to actively address issues such as the dowry and caste systems and child marriage.
They purchase assets in their own names, are involved in decisions regarding their children’s marriages and education, and, using the income generated, send their daughters to school and support them in pursuing higher education. They have accessed maternity benefits for pregnant and new mothers and opened bank accounts in girls’ names.
Standing together
Likewise, self-help groups have become the dominant community-based organisation in the India Central Territory, initiated by The Salvation Army Community Empowerment Programme (CEP) with the long-term goal of helping to improve gender equality and quality of life.
The CEP encourages women to start savings habits, helping them escape the clutches of moneylenders. These women have joined together to promote the economic betterment of many people in disadvantaged rural communities.
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Economic empowerment
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