ACTIVITIES OF SELF- HELP GROUPS.

Transcription

1 Chapter 3 ACTIVITIES OF SELF- HELP GROUPS. Self-Help Groups are formed in the socio, economic, political and educational sphere of the society at large and in the rural society in particular. It is hard to distinguish whether a particular activity falls into any one of the spheres exclusively. They intermingle with one another. An economic activity that enables women to earn a handsome amount gives her a new role in the decision-making in the family. The training programmes most of the time aimed at skill development also enables the women to become confident to contest in the election for the local bodies. We shall look at the activities with this understanding that the results of a particular activity can always lead women to enter into other spheres of public life. In this chapter the researcher is presenting the activities of women under 1) Economic Activities, 2) Training Programmes, 3) Social Interventions, 4) Proposals for new activities to be undertaken and finally 5) Problems encountered while attempting these activities. 3.0 Economic Activities of the SHGs A cursory look at the various economic activities of the SHGs spread over many districts of Tamil Nadu presents before us a veritable unending treat of variety from the ordinary to the exquisite productions. Economic activities differ from place to place because of the availability of raw materials for the specific works undertaken and the local needs of the people. SHGs most of the time engage in production work

2 only according to the need in the local area. At certain instances, they venture into activities for the sake of exporting the material abroad. 67 The activities listed below are going on in the districts of Tirunelveli, Madurai, Perambalur, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur, Sivagangai, Thoothukudi, Chennai, and Kancheepuram districts. 3.1 Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Related Activities Jasmine cultivation At Pappapatti a handful of SHGs decided to cultivate the famous Madurai Malli (Jasmine) since it required less water compared to other crops. After inspecting the land and interacting with the women, the Valandhur Branch Manager of the Stank Bank of India offered a term loan of Rs 70,000 under the Sampoorna Grama Swarozgar Yojana to each SHG with a subsidy of Rs 35,000. The SHGs now harvest jasmine flowers on regular basis and send them to the Madurai market. Besides ensuring prompt repayments, the women make a decent earning Rearing milch animals and goats At Azhagapuri in Sivaganga district, the rat-eating families of the Valayan community in the village hit the headlines. A group of 20 women from this community approached the local bank, seeking assistance for income generation activities, including rearing milch animals. Apart from recording a 100 percent repayment, the women also infused the essence of the SHG movement among other 1 The Hindu, Women Reaping Benefits of SHG Concept, Madurai Edition, 23 April p. 3.

3 68 women, motivating them to take up similar projects. Above all, the SHGs ensured that the local moneylenders shifted their base Production of Artefacts Vettivaer Pillows The Kalaivaani SHG of Poothathaankudiyiruppu near Cheranmahadevi produces a variety of products from body scrubbers to pillows made of cactus fibre. The bags, dishes, small containers etc., are available in attractive colours. The group has been exporting body scrubbers to Italy, Singapore and Malaysia once in every six months. The Vettivaer pillow, being made and marketed by this group, has become a popular product among exporters in Chennai, as this pillow is believed to have some medicinal properties Pattamadai Mats Pathamadai mats, bags and window screens are marketed by the Al-Bismi SHG. Besides regular mats, they also prepare special mats, which could be given as gifts to newly married couples or honourable visitors and guests on special occasions Terracotta Articles Thiruneelakandar SHG of Thaenpouthathai produce glazed pottery. And Sacred Heart SHG of North Kaarukurichi produces stunning terracotta articles. 5 Vettivaer Pillows, Pathamadai mats and Terracotta articles are available at the special shopping complex of the District Rural Development Agency built mostly for 2 Ibid., p The Hindu, Self-made Traders, Madurai Edition, 5 November p Ibid., p Ibid., p. 3.

4 69 the SHGs at Vaeithankulam in Tirunelveli district. Of the eighteen shops available nine units have been occupied by the SHG members. They pay a monthly rent of Rs 750 per shop Making of Copper Vessels The self-help group concept has been extended to a men s group too in Perambalur district. Some traditional craftsmen of Bharathidasan Nagar and Mettu Street in Perambalur have proved their mettle in the making of high quality copper utensils. They are skilled and specially trained in the making of a wide range of articles starting from domestic utensils to temple kalasams. An SHG was formed with the membership of 20. They had to toil hard till they realised the significance of savings and learnt the art of internal lending for reaping the fruits of the concept. With their savings, they were encouraged to expand their trade in making pots, panchapathiram, utthirani, kuvalai, temple gopuram kalasam etc. The rate of their savings is rising up thanks to their marketing skills Paper Cups A. Selvi is 41 years old. She is a member of Annai Women s Group is running Star Paper Cups unit in Philominagar, Adaikalapuram. The living conditions of the people of this area have changed for the better. The men folk, a majority of whom are Palmyra climbers, have only about four months work every year. Earlier, the families were at the mercy of moneylenders and children were sent to work, instead of schools. This continued until the Centre for Social Reconstruction (CSR), Nagercoil, set its foot in Thiruchendur in CSR introduced the SHG movement 6 The Hindu, Self-made Traders Madurai Edition, 5 November p The Hindu, Self-Help is the Best Help Madurai Edition, 30 June p. 3.

5 70 as part of NEERA (Network for Education and Empowerment of Rural Artisans) in Thiruchendur, Undhankudi and Alawarthirunagari blocks, and this has brought about revolutionary changes in the lives of people in the area Embroidery Works From their small huts in Sriperumbudur, a group of women produce embroidery of international standard. It is certified by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and exported to Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The women know that sequins are in this season and Rani Pink is on its way out. They understand that the Nigerian market likes bright colours and that the European market is accepting pastels. Tirumangalam kandigai Self-Help Group collaborates with seven other SHGs in the village to execute the work. The economy of 220 families of Tirumangalam Kandigai of Kancheepuram district is driven by this business. After their training at the NIFT, they have honed their skills and a sense of style. Unlike as most other SHGs, these women are professional. They have samples and swatches to show to their clients. Their packaging has come up to international standards Managerial Activities Running a College Canteen Members of the Shembagappoo self-help group at Courtallam, run a canteen in Parasakthi College for women. Like other illiterate rural women, they were also in the clutches of moneylenders as their husbands were poor labourers. The Pandian 8 The New Indian Express, These women strike it rich with SHG movement Madurai Edition, 8 March p The Hindu, Women self-help groups make their mark in export market Madruai Edition, 19 April p. 4.

6 71 Grama Bank s Melagaram branch gave them Rs 13,000 to repay the loans they had taken from the moneylenders. Then they were given Rs 50,000 to establish a nursery and raise rose plants. They could get a maximum of Rs 9,000 from the nursery. They looked for one more avenue. When they heard about the canteen of the college, they decided to take it on lease. The college administration was favourable to them. They got it with the financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh from the same bank. They started to run the canteen, got around Rs 1,200 a day, and expect more revenue as the days go on. They are hopeful of repaying the loan within a year though the repayment period is 36 months. The art of accounting and managing the expenditure is being taught by M. Arivazhagan, founder president of Sri Ramakrishna Seva Nilayam and guiding nearly 300 SHGs in the Thenkasi and Chengottai areas. The members are now planning to purchase some cows, as they need a sizable quantity of milk for their canteen Revitalising a Milk Cooperative Society Involvement of seven SHGs in and around Alanganallur has revitalised the activities of the 40 year old dairy run by the Pathirakaliamman Society. The society, located in Palamedu of Alanganallur block, catered to the needs of a specific community in its early days. It is today the source of succour to hundreds of families living in and around Alanganallur, employing more than 800 women. The women are given loans to purchase cows or buffaloes, ranging from 50 to 60 percent of the cost of the animal. The society also advances loans for family events like marriages The Hindu, They have a taste of self-help and hard work Madruai Edition, 1 July p The New Indian Express, Cash cow: SHG veers Alanganallur to milky way Madurai Edition, 28 November p. 3.

7 Running Fair Price Shops Self-Help Group members are put in charge of eight fair price shops in Perambalur district. Three SHGs, the Sivasakthi SHG the Annai Indira Gandhi SHG and the Subulakshmi SHG have taken over the Shops at Pottakollai, Samnavur and Nattarmangalam villages. Steps are taken for allotting shops to the other groups Running Internet kiosks Many educated unemployed girls have been extended low interest loans to establish Internet Kiosks, enabling them to earn a living. For instance Kavitha of Karaikudi, who set up a Kiosk last year is popular among the village women in the locality since she helps them chat through a web-cam with their kin abroad. A major chunk of the beneficiaries are poor and illiterate. SHG movement is reaching out to the grassroots of the social strata and helping them to join the mainstream of economic activity Stone Quarrying The members of Annai Velankanni SHG of Chettikurrichi, the Everest SHG at Karisalkulam and the Suyam Siddhi Vinayagar SHG of Padmanaba mangalam, were toiling hard as labourers in the stone quarries. Their earnings in the stone quarries were enough only for a square meal and the debts went on increasing substantially. As the situation was about to go out of control, they approached the Collector for acquiring the stone quarries on lease. Though the SHGs faced stiff competitions from the regular stone quarry contractors during the auction, they won the contract for three years. In a bid to encourage the successful SHGs, they were allowed to pay the 12 The Hindu, SHGs to run fair price shops in Perambalur. Madurai Edition, 19 January p The Hindu, Women reaping benefits of SHG concept Madurai Edition, 23 April p. 3.

8 73 initial lease amount in instalments and the revolving fund came in handy for them to pay the lease amount. Backed by their experience in the stone quarries, they hired compressors and tractors for their day-to-day work and engaged male members for the toughest jobs in the quarries. Besides feeding their families satisfactorily, these SHGs are now planning to purchase tractors and compressors before the end of their first lease period of three years Running the Mid-day Meal Scheme The backward, tribal district of Bastar in Chattisgarh has become the first district in the country to run the mid-day meal scheme for primary school children throughout the year with the help of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of women. Bastar District Collector, Dinesh Srivastava, told The Hindu that the scheme is running successfully with improved quality of food and smoother implementation. Besides attracting students to schools, the meal scheme helped in ending malnutrition, he said. The women s groups are handling 80 percent of the 2,594 schools where the scheme is run and eventually they shall cover 90 percent of the primary schools. Maa Danteshwari Samooh a conglomerate of community-based women s organisations took the lead. At present 1,14,521, primary school children benefit Contract Service Activities Supply of Firewood to the Noon-Meal Centres The cooperative department of Perambalur district has identified 10 SHGs for the supply of firewood to the noon-meal centres in 10 blocks. These centres are in 14 The Hindu, Stone quarries bring out their grit Madurai Edition, 17 June p The Hindu, Mid-day meal scheme: Bastar shows the way Madurai Edition, 17 June p. 3.

9 74 need of fuel wood, and the SHG members are adept in the collection of firewood. This initiative will help the members earn a livelihood Supply of Sambar Powder In Perambalur district 10 SHGs have been identified for the supply of sambar powder to the noon meal centres. The average per member income has gone up, owing to the introduction of these innovative techniques Supplying Sea food and Vegetables to Hotels The Taj group, with assistance from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), tied up with four SHGs six months ago for supply of fresh produce to its restaurants. The success of the effort has encouraged it to consider roping more SHGs into the city operations as well as for expansion to its other hotels including the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. The hotels are able to get fresh produce at a reasonable rate. As the new system eliminates intermediaries, there are fewer communication problems and the hotels are able to deal with the SHGs easily. The produce supplied by the SHGs pass stringent quality parameters. The fresh and packed produce was frequently inspected for microbial content. Their products always pass the test by the hotel administration. The Taj group gave the best vendor award for this year to the Thenkumari Mahalir SHG. Its contract has been extended to a year. The SHG supplies everyday around 60 Kg of seafood, almost 50 percent of the hotel s requirement. Another SHG Ullasa Paravaigal, supplies 10 varieties of vegetables everyday. The group is buying the vegetables from the Koyambedu market and selling them to the hotel. The group 16 The Hindu, SHGs to run fair price shops in Perambalur. Madurai Edition, 19 January p Iibid., p. 2.

10 75 has plans to expand business. It talks of buying a cold storage unit and an icebox to preserve fish Manufacturing Activities Expanding Sungudi Product Range The one-year-old Federation of Tie and Dye and Hand Printed Textile Cluster Self-Help Groups at Madurai, manufacturing sungudi saris, is all set to diversify its product range, with an eye on exports. The federation has decided to manufacture sungudi bed linen, door curtains, window screen, churidar material, table cover, napkin, tablemats and scarves Production of Sanitary Napkins Self-Help Groups in Kanyakumari district are producing sanitary napkins. Thirty five women members of two SHGs in Vellichanthai and Thickanamcode village panchayats completed a training programme in sanitary-napkin manufacturing at the SGSY marketing complex in Vadaserry. They have already identified their target in rural markets, - women s colleges, girls schools, members of SHGs and NGOs, women s organisations and associations. The training they had, covered all areas of business from procurement of raw materials to marketing of the finished products. The training module included entrepreneurial components, technical inputs and extensive practical sessions too The Hindu, Hotel SHG tie-up a profitable model Madurai Edition, 17 March p The Hindu, SHGs to expand sungudi product range Madurai Edition, 1 February p The New Indian Express, SHG - produce sanitary napkins' Madurai Edition, 24 January p. 3.

11 Soap manufacturing Chendu runs a profitable soap-manufacturing unit, along with other members of her SHG, in Shanmugapuram near Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district. The detergent factory was set up a year ago with a bank loan of Rs 1.5 lakh. Chendu has spared a portion of her house for the unit, which produces Parvathi soap and cleaning powder Murukku Business Parvathi is another successful woman entrepreneur. Her husband s grocery shop in Tiruchendur had to be closed down after incurring huge losses and the family was contemplating suicide. It was left to Parvathi, a SHG member, to bail out the family from the clutches of the usurers. She and her husband Raju now run a lucrative murukku business Manufacturing Ice-creams Valli of Ambal group in Kulasekarapattinam and her husband manufacture ice-creams and are recording good profits. Valli remembers the time her husband used to buy ice-candy from a wholesaler and cycle through the town to peddle it Manufacturing Kallkandu Annai Philominal SHG is involved in manufacturing Kallkandu and they also lend utensils and chairs for functions and as part of their social mission, run a nursery school The New Indian Express, Women rich with SHG movement Madurai Edition, 8 March p Ibid. p Ibid. p Ibid. p. 2.

12 Bio Diesel Production The Collector of Thoothukudi district had helped the SHG members near Shrivaigundam of Thoothukudi district to set up a bio diesel production facility. The members are producing bio diesel and are distributing it successfully Running Businesses Running Grocery Stores An SHG animated by the Micro-credit Foundation of India (MFI) run a small but thriving grocery store, along the main road in Sivagangai. The store is flanked by other stalls frequented by rough-looking, itinerant customers but the SHG women are clearly oblivious to any insecurity this may present. They open the shop at 5.30 am and close at 10 pm. They do not take any break. The women shopkeepers take turns with the tasks their business entails shopping at the wholesale market, attending to travelling salespeople, keeping accounts, taking stock, depositing cash in the bank and dealing with customers Tailoring Unit Gita has a flair for tailoring and has been running her tailoring business in Pudukottai for years. She is a member of an MFI-SHG. She has expanded her shop and inducted her daughter Uma Bharathi into the business. Gita said that she has personally trained close to 500 women in the town. Till a few years ago she tailored only blouses and in-skirts. Nonetheless, she was able to earn enough to send Uma to study up to 12 th standard. Uma then took a formal tailoring course in Chennai and can now do nightdresses and churidar sets as well. Gita, with her MFI-SHG loan, has 25 Thinamani, Manam Kavartha Mavatta Atchiar Madurai Edition, 14 June p The New Sunday Express, Ready to be counted Madurai Edition, 7 March p. 4.

13 78 added an embroidery machine to the two sewing machines. On the walls, Uma has pasted a dozen fashion colour spreads from smart Mumbai magazines which she uses as a catalogue to help her customers choose styles Training Programmes The women in Self-Help Groups are trained in so many different aspects. Mahalir Thittam programme itself envisages training for women in the areas of personality development, leadership, gender sensitivity, social awareness, political awareness, and skill development in accounting and public speaking etc. The NGOs have been very active in this work. They constantly provide opportunities for women for various types of training. The researcher presents here only certain types of training programmes that get wide coverage in the news papers, they are most of the time in the fields of women empowerment in general, computer, agriculture, entrepreneurship, agro industry, marketing and branding, skill training etc. These training programmes in general enhance the confidence of women and enhance the group s ability to work together Women Empowerment in General Certificate Course in Women Empowerment Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University has launched a new one-year course Certificate Course in Women Empowerment. The medium of instruction is Tamil. All those, who have 27 Ibid., Section 2. p. II.

14 79 passed the SSLC examination, may join this course to know about the selfemployment opportunities, loan schemes available with government agencies, development of self-help groups, empowerment of women and the things to be done by the victims of dowry and sexual harassment to get appropriate remedy Computer Computer Training For Ramnad SHG Women Self-Help Group members improve their economic status by learning computer operations. A week-long computer training programme for 220 members of 11 women self help groups was jointly organised by DRDA and WIN organisation in Ramanathapuram. The government of Tamil Nadu has launched Rural Access Service Through Internet (RASI) to impart computer training for rural women. Selected SHGs will be given a computer each costing Rs 60,000, of which Rs 30,000 is given as subsidy and the rest as bank loan. Education and age does not pose as a hindrance to learn computer. Computer training paves the way for the women to earn more income. Besides, one need not waste time and energy to send petitions to the authorities any more as they are sending them through net. Further, they also use the web camera for face-to-face interaction with the concerned. The computers are used to surf the net and enhance knowledge. In addition, the SHG members help the farmers in dissemination of information culled through the net on cropping patterns, pesticides et al The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 10 March p The New Indian Express, Madurai Edition, 8 February p. 2.

15 Computer Training for SHG Women Tamil Nadu Foundation is giving computers to SHG women to boast their socio economic development. The SHG women are also trained to use the computers. These computers may help the women to increase their earnings as well as to computerise their accounts. These computers also could be used for literacy programme. The service of SHGs may be availed to participate in the universal literacy campaign with the help of these computers Agriculture Training Proposed for SHGs to Raise Horticultural Crops The district administration of Perambalur is extending adequate financial assistance and taking steps for imparting specialised training to members of women self-help groups who come forward to raise horticulture crops, herbal plants and oilseeds by upgrading the wasteland. The district administration had planned to provide eight to 20 acres of poromboke land on lease to women SHGs when they come forward to upgrade them. Various government departments would provide the needed training and advice to the interested women members Training in Vanilla and Stevia Rabaudiana Cultivation For SHGs Women from various SHGs shall be trained in Vanilla and Stevia Rabaudiana cultivation in and around Aundipatty. The Women Empowerment Centre of the Anna University has taken charge of training these women. Rural Development 41!Thinamani, Madurai Edition, 3 April p. 2.! 31 The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 26 November p. 3.

16 81 Department will be funding the programme. The Centre for Bio Technology of the University will offer the technical assistance needed. The women will be given a week s training in cultivation of Vanilla and Stevia Rabaudiana. Stevia Rabaudiana has been cultivated in Paraguay and has an international market. It has got a great potential for being an export crop. Vanilla of course is used in ice cream productions and could be sold internally Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship development programme for men SHGs The Pudukottai district administration has launched an entrepreneurship development programme for men self-help groups. Organised by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), the programme is being held for 150 members in Pudukottai, Aranthangi, Avudaiyarkoil, Manamelkudi and Karambakudi blocks, in the first phase, the administration has identified 330 members for the training,. The second phase would cover 180 members in Thirumayam, Thiruvarankulam, Ponamaravathy, Gandarvakottai and Viralimalai blocks. Resource persons from different non-governmental organisations would explain the issues involved in launching economic activities at the weeklong programme. It would also deal with the kind of trades the members could choose depending on the local condition, financial aspects, project report preparations and marketing. Officials of the district supply and Marketing Society (DSMS), a DRDA wing that identifies markets for the products of women SHGs, would explain the marketing aspect and marketability of products. This was for the first time in the district that the programme was being 32 Thinamani, Madurai Edition, 11 December p. 2.

17 82 conducted for men SHG members. The training followed a month-long orientation programme that the administration conducted for them. The orientation programme was designed to convince them that they could emerge successful by improving their skills and taking up self-employment. The training programme was aimed at helping the male SHGs to start economic activities. Those undergoing the free training were living below the poverty line, the sources said. The district has around 1,500 men SHGs with 7000 members. At the end of the training programme, the administration would organise skills training for select SHG members to help them set up microlevel business unit, the sources added Entrepreneurship training for SHG women Five lakh women from Tamil Nadu are going to receive entrepreneurship training through Mahalir Thittam project. Already 3.5 lakh women have undergone the training Agro Industry Home Science College to Help SHGs The Madurai based Home Science College and Research Institute of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is involved in a unique project aimed at free transfer of food processing technology to women s self-help groups (SHGs). The institute trains women members of Self-Help Groups in processing papaya and colocasia-based food products. Institute Dean K. Sheela told The New Indian Express that the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) 33 The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 20 February p Thinamani, Madurai Edition, 11 April p.2.!

18 83 has granted approval to the project submitted by the Institute, and has sanctioned Rs. 98,000 for implementing the same. The fruit however, can be used to manufacture papaya candies, ready-to-serve beverages and papaya sweet bars. While papaya candy has a sustainable market in the bakery industry, papaya beverage too sells like hot cakes, Premalatha says. Papaya sweet bar is an energy-dense snack that is ideal for children, according to nutritionists Course on Food Preservation & Nutritious Food Preparation for SHGs The National Institute of Women, Child and Rural Health Trust (NIWCRHT), Melur and Food and Nutrition Board Organized a five-day course for self-help group members in food preservation and nutritious food preparation. Around 20 SHGs participated in the programme where they prepared jam, juice, jelly, pickles and other nutritious items. Chitra Ganapathy, Director, NIWCRHT, distributed certificates to the participants Marketing and Branding Workshop on Marketing to SHG Women SHGs of Virudhunagar were given a workshop on various marketing techniques. The District Collector has said that 487 SHGs were given loans during the year These loans have been given for rearing milch animals, rearing goats and sheep, producing ready-made garments, running grocery stores etc. Matha 35 The New Indian Express, Madurai Edition, 7 July p The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 2 July p.3.

19 Amirthananthamayee institute of Technology is training these groups. The training is given for about four to six weeks Training in Marketing and branding products The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Women s Development and the Confederation of Indian Industries jointly organised a training programme in marketing and branding products for the SHG women. Two such trainings have been already conducted in Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari Districts Skill Training Technical Training For SHGs The District Building Centre of Virudhunagar District is imparting technical training on low cost housing construction and toilet basins for SHGs. The Tamil Nadu Government s Integrated Sanitation Programme is being implemented in the district. And as per the scheme the Government is going to build a toilet facility for every house in the district. The District administration has planned to train the SHG women in construction and make use of their services which shall be mutually beneficial. Four hundred SHGs of the districts are imparted the training in two phases Thinamani, Madurai Edition, 16 March p Thinamani, Madurai Edition, 26 May p Ibid., p. 2.

20 Social Interventions Land Distribution for the Landless Centre for Social Reconstruction (CSR), Nagercoil, introduced the SHG movement in Tiruchendur in This brought about revolutionary changes in the lives of people of the area. 208 SHGs for women and 15 for men have been set up. The SHGs have savings of about Rs 1.5 crore and their total turnover comes to Rs 7 crore. More than 80 percent of the members are involved in various income generating activities. Besides, more than 2,350 members have health insurance. Ten SHGs joined hands in Vannanthiravilai and purchased 3.5 acres of land at a cost of Rs 17.5 lakh (their own savings and bank loans) for distributing it to the landless poor Nursery School Annai Philominal SHG is involved in manufacturing Kallkandu and they also lend utensils and chairs for functions and as part of their social mission, run a nursery school Campaign for Women s Rights As part of the International Women s Day celebrations, thousands of women from the SHGs participated in a rally and a meeting held in Madurai. During the rally women condemned all sorts of atrocities against women especially the dowry and obscenity in the media in general and particularly in cinema. They also raised their voices for 33% reservation for women in the legislatures and the parliament, 40 The New Indian Express, Madurai Edition, 8 March p Ibid., p. 2.

21 intensifying the penalties for those involved in atrocities against women, special district level hospitals for women etc Battle Against Female Infanticide Having achieved a consistent zero death rate among female infants in the last three years in its area of operation, the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) has now redefined its strategy to make its Girl Child Project a people s movement. The reorientation exercise is to enable the people carry on the fight against the heinous practice without outside help. In addition to 224 self-help groups for women formed in the Usilampatty Taluk of Madurai district, the ICCW hopes to have brigades of young men and women on the frontline in the war on female infanticide. The federation of SHGs formed at the Panchayat level, now monitors pregnant mothers and keeps a watchful eye against the killing of newborns Aggressive Campaign Against Female Infanticide The members of the Kurinji Magalir Iyakkam a Self-Help Group of Pannappatti, near Omalur in Salem district keep a watch on every pregnant woman in the area, monitor her health and nutrition status and accompany her to hospital. But the main job is to speak to the families on the rights of girl children. When coercion does not work, the SHG members will threaten them with police action. The women are pragmatic. Their goal is to save the children. If a family is adamant about not having girls, they will persuade them to give them in adoption. At Pudupatti in Namakkal district, the SHG women have arranged for adoption of unwanted girl 42 Thinamani, Madurai Edition, 15 March p The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 26 December p. 3.

22 babies. They carry on a militant campaign to ensure that girls in the area are saved, by filing police complaints too wherever necessary Helping People to Fight the AIDS Stigma Annai Theresa Mahalir Manram a SHG of Satyavani Muthu Nagar slum encountered a woman in their neighbourhood abandoned because of her contracting AIDS. They decided to take things into their hands. They picked up the person, provided her with food and shelter and arranged for treatment. The residents of the area are now acquainted with the HIV/AIDS problem. They are determined to fight the AIDS. With that aim the members of the group have built a strong support base with the help of organisations such as World Vision, St Andrews Church, Desh and Community Health Education Society. They have now evolved a process by which every pregnant woman in the slum is identified and counselled to go for HIV tests. In addition to pre-test counselling, the women organise slide shows on opportunistic infections, personal hygiene, sexually transmitted diseases and adolescent girl health to spread awareness. The women have worked hard to gather facts and reduce stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients and it could well be a model for other intervention programmes Rescuing AIDS Victims Thirty six Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) at Marthandam and surrounding areas in Kanyakumari district, where rubber plantations exist, have taken to mat and basket-making or opened petty shops in their villages, thanks to their 44 The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 7 December p The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 1 December p. 2.

23 88 integration with 26 self-help groups. An SHG donated a sewing machine to a PLHA and local philanthropists and religious leaders provided resources for constructing houses for three victims. All SHGs have volunteered to support the PLHA families on a monthly basis, mobilising resources, thanks to the Care and Support Project. Children afflicted with AIDS were provided education by local churches, youth clubs and the SHGs. The thrust of the Care and Support Project, carried out by the Nagercoil-based Centre for Social Reconstruction, in association with the Public Works Department, was on rehabilitating the victims, removing the stigma attached to them and ensuring timely medical support and counselling Removing the Social Stigma for Eunuchs A group of eunuchs in the district have formed a Self-Help Group, under the special programme of the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Women s Development, Mahalir Thittam. This is the first group to be formed in the district with eunuchs as members, following the Corporation s plan to form special Self-Help Groups to bring the marginalized sections to the mainstream. The formation of the group aims at removing the social stigma and providing an opportunity to the less privileged to lead a decent life. The group, comprising 12 members, is led by its animator, L. Lavanya of Ammapalayam and has been promoted by LEAD a non-governmental organisation at Chettikulam. Special programmes were conducted to motivate them to take up some economic activities. The Mahalir Thittam would organise skills development programme for them The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 11 January p The Hindu, Madurai Edition, 9 March p.3.

24 Other Activities Manufacturing Coir Products The Coir Board has decided to train women entrepreneurs in making products and proposed to supply motorised raats, worth Rs 10,000, to successful trainees at a subsidised rate of Rs 2,500. Addressing a meeting held in the collectorate recently to assess the credit flow to coir based small-scale industries in the district, the chairman, C. Chandran, said Thirunelveli was identified as a district, with excess potential for growth of coirbased industries. Since the state government earmarked Rs crores in the plan outlay towards incentives to coir industries, entrepreneurs should make use of this Chandran said. There is a tremendous potential in employment generation in the coir-based industrial activities such as de-fibrering, spinning, geo-textile pith blocks and coir weaving. The board has entered into collaborative research works with the Baba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, and the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Bangalore, to identify novel activities in the coir-based sector SHGs in Literacy Mission The Vice Chancellor of Anna University has proposed that the SHGs should be used in the literacy mission of the country. Literacy mission should be revitalised. The SHGs are functioning wonderfully well. They could be used for the revitalisation of the literacy mission. We should strive for promoting literacy and

25 90 education in the villages as well as the towns. Everything should be done to promote literacy among women Fish Rearing in Village Ponds The Thanjavur district administration is keen on promoting fish rearing in the district by involving the Self-Help Groups. Collector Kosalaraman directed the village panchayats to take up the issue of fish rearing in the gram sabha meetings held on Republic Day. During the meetings held in 588 villages panchayats, it was decided to lease out the village ponds and tanks to SHGs for taking up fish farming activities. At the gram sabha meeting held in Soorakottai village, which was attended by Kosalaraman, a resolution was passed to lease out two tanks to SHGs,. Members of these SHGs expressed their willingness to take up the tanks for lease. The revenue earned by the sale of fish would be shared among the groups. 49 The researcher has presented in this chapter a spectrum of activities in which the Self-Help Group members are involved in various parts of Tamil Nadu. Self-Help Groups are involving themselves in many more activities. They are I) welfare activities like disbursal of clothes for orphans, infrastructure for school, and clothes for poor widows ii) infrastructure development like desilting tank, building bridges, construction of kutcha roads and community halls iii) mobilisation of government programmes like pension for widows, iv) collective lobbying with the government for electricity facilities, supply of drinking water, and medical facilities, v) struggles and campaigns around strategic gender interests like closing of arrack shops, conducting 48 Thinamani, Madurai Edition, 2 May p The New Indian Express, Madurai Edition, 28 January p. 3.

26 of mass marriages without dowry, prevention of child-marriage, campaign against 91 female infanticide and so on. 50 The phenomenon of self-help groups could be considered as something still exploding on the Tamil Nadu development scenario. A lot more could be expected from SHGs. 50 Ranjani.K.Murthy et, al., Report on the Participatory Rural Appraisal of the Tamilnadu Women s Development Project, November, 1999,Chennai. p. 20.