Sahaj An Organisation For Womens Development

Right from its conception, Sahaj worked towards making women believe that an alternate life is possible; Sahaj provided them with an alternate livelihood opportunity that empowered them to aspire for and achieve a better life, and thereby increase their well-being. This approach has had a gradual but definite ripple effect on both the material condition of the families and the socio-cultural position of the women. In Sahaj, the artisans considered as the most important stakeholders, not mere targets or beneficiaries of the programme. A sense of ownership and responsibility over all stages of production is built in through participation in the processes and involvement in decision-making. Women’s knowledge and inputs treated with respect and they interact with professionals. The trainers also selected from the lot of artisans. The artisans themselves go to the cities to put up stalls in exhibitions. This kind of capacity building chisels out professional artisans and leaders out of the women. Association with Sahaj has changed not only how the society views women, but also how they view themselves. Dreams that once seemed so distant and strange are now possibilities realities. They have role models to look up to within their own communities, the changes in their lives over the years to base aspirations on. They feel they are adding meaning to their life and dreaming bigger dreams. They are reclaiming their lives from servitude to be masters of themselves. At present, Sahaj is working with tribal women artisans of eastern Gujarat and provide home based livelihood opportunities to address the issue of annual migration. Although it has been operational since 1994, it was formally registered as a separate NGO under the Bombay Trust Act in 2001. Today 4,800 tribal women are associated with Sahaj from 96 villages and organized into 170 Self-Help Groups. 500Women are getting regular income from craft activities, along with Food and Nutrition awareness, Women reproductive health and hygiene awareness. Sahaj is working on Gandhian philosophy and Fair Trade values. We seeks to promote sustainable development by offering better earning opportunity through training, designing and marketing of the products to securing the rights of marginalized women. SAHAJ provides comprehensive training and support services that enable tribal families to earn home-based livelihoods through their handicraft skills, as an alternative to seasonal urban migration. This increase family incomes, allows children to remain in school and stabilize families in safer, healthier environments. Association No. of Women Craft based activities 500 Own enterprises 1600 Seasonal involvement in crafts 700 Support services 1900 Master craftsperson 35 Trainers 110 Second generation joined 30 Women supported family enterprises 35 All the women have their insurance and artisans cards from Development commissioner (handicrafts). This identity is a special proud for them. Apart from that, they have their own health cards, credit cards and aadhar cards. These identities empower them in their day to day life and provide them courage to fight for their rights and problems. SAHAJ is a self sustain organization, so there is no big donation accepted for. Though we take up projects from different government departments like, DC handicrafts, NABARD, commissioner cottage, DIC, Gujarat state Handloom Handicraft, Social justice, DRDA, Tribal sub plan etc for the skill development, design development and capacity building of the artisans. Corporate like GNFC, Vodafone foundation, Axisbank foundation, RPG’s CEAT and Raychem, help us to work for different projects for the people as well as they do market our products into mainstream market through purchase of Handicrafts and helping us establish shop in shop. Internationally we are working in association with MG Motors, Australian Consulate, Mumbai, Women On Wings, Netherlands. DW shop, Germany, SETU the bridge, USA, Moksha Imports USA, Paul Hemlyne Foundation, UK, CBI, Netherlands, Aid to Artisans, USA, Social Impact International, USA. Their helps are very small still associations are very strong.