Women Empowerment Program

The Women Empowerment program is one of the earliest programs of ODP and was initiated in 1988 - 1989. In the beginning, village wise sanghas were formed and the program focus was just to get women to come together and provide them with a common platform to discuss their problems and issues and find collective solutions to them.

Later, the program focus expanded to include aspects of – organization, savings leadership, good local governance, environment, health, linkage building, tackling issues / problems, etc. so that there was a more integrated and holistic approach and recognition and visibility of women became more in the family and the community.

Today, the focus of the program is to strengthen the groups in the project areas, at all levels, i.e. SHG’s, Central Committees, Taluk / District level Federations and the apex federation MAHILODAYA, through development of active and focused leaders and effective group meetings so as to enable women become self governed and self managed and take forward the program by themselves.

v   Poor and marginalized women will be organised to develop courage and self-esteem. Strengthen sanghas, central committees, taluk and district level federations and the apex body (Mahilodaya Women’s Federation) through training’s, awareness, exposure and interactions with other groups / institutions. Build up the capacity of grass root level leaders and groups to carry forward their activities effectively - at least 5 good and able leaders in each group. To enable leaders to become actively involved in the panchayath structures so that they have a legitimate voice and evolve better local governance.

Build up and strengthen resource teams with effective local leaders, Strengthen linkages with various government departments and financial institutions - to mobilize available schemes and resources. Increase income and ass for women - at individual, house hold and community levels. Enable women to manage resources productively and expand their sources of livelihood.

Collaborate and co-ordinate with like minded NGOs working in the field of women’s development and form strong linkages with them to tackle common issues. Promote collective actions for common good of the community and area Enable women to have an equal, just and respected status in the civil society

• Self-esteem has increased and women want to come forward and become united for change
• Women are becoming change agents
• Formation of committees has increased number of leaders
• Many leaders are showing responsibility and commitment to the cause of women
• Now women themselves are identifying issues and taking them forward collectively
• Cooperation from men is on the increase
• Mutual help is seen more
• Women are accepting challenges and want to be as good as others
• Keen interest in participating in trainings – particularly govt trainings
• Monitoring and follow up by Central Committees
• Leadership in all levels of groups
• District level Resource Teams
• Linkages with Govt. and Non Govt. Organizations
• Submission of annual contribution to Mahilodaya federation
• om MAHILODAYA Federation
• Development of good, knowledge and commitment leaders.