Before the intervention of SHALOM women these area were socially and economically backward and were dependent on the men flock and as a result they were facing exploitation, extortion and domestic violence. There were no adequate platforms where women could be organized, united to raise their voice to present their socio economic issues. So the implementing agency took initiatives to organize and unite them under the umbrella of SHG ( Self Help Group). Through our constant approach and motivation SHG (self help group) were formed, and opened their saving account in nearby nationalized bank. By conducting weekly meeting, saving and documentation, we were able to form new SHG groups as well as revive and mainstream dysfunctional and inactive group in our project area. Brief information of SHGs-
Before the implementation of this project employment guarantee programme i.e MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) was not implementing as per the guideline and provision. Most of the women did not know various components of this act, nor do they show interest to work due to delay of wage payment, lack of transparent and fairly execution. But with the intervention of SHALOM support by SLCW we facilitated to ensure job card for women, job application at individual and community level, timely payment of wages. Earlier agriculture was the only source of income to meet their day today expenses, but now women get a additional source of income by engaging themselves in MGNREGA. During the non agriculture season especially summer and winter when they usually remain idle, this MNREGS helps them to income. By this financial dependency on to a male member of this family has reduced and also migration with family in search has been checked. By the execution of MGNREGA work women got income source at their door steps and in the mean time infrastructure of village like village road, drain, public bathroom, community hall, check dam, field channel were established.
Low level of female literacy pushed them to ignorance, exploitation and cheating. But with the support of SLCW we started 5 literacy programme centers with the objective of functional literacy to the SHG members of that village. Our Vidya volunteer (instructor) deliberating constantly to the women of literacy center about basic alphabets, numbers, reading and writing skilled. With our efforts 32 numbers of women from Mastiput panchayat and 38 numbers from Mahadeiput panchayat are now able to give their signature instead of thumb impression. Now the mothers are concerned about their child education especially their daughter’s primary education and show interest and consciously sent their girl regularly to school.
