Empowering Marginalised Women through Transforming Them from Homemakers into Entrepreneurs by Imparting Skills Aligned with Trades

SGVS envisages transforming extremely poor and marginalised women in remote rural areas from homemakers into entrepreneurs, enabling them to lead a life with dignity and respect by providing them with economic independence and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods through skill development, resulting in the holistic development of the family and, further, of a progressive society.

Hence, to address the pressing issue of transforming marginalised women into entrepreneurs, SGVS initiated:

• Sadbhawana Gramin Vikas Sansthan (SGVS), with the support of the Balrampur Foundation, established 70 sewing schools in 20 villages of Gaur Block, 8 villages in Harraiya Block, 17 villages of Parashurampur Block in Basti District, and 25 villages in Gonda District, Uttar Pradesh, over the last two years.
• Established women-led sewing centres covering two districts of Uttar Pradesh.
• Provided training on skills needed for the apparel industry.

Transformation of Marginalised Women from Homemakers to Self-reliant Entrepreneurs

• A baseline survey for the identified trade and interested women was conducted before establishing the centres.
• Following the baseline survey, 70 women were shortlisted from 153 identified women for training as entrepreneurs to establish sewing and beauty parlour centres. A prerequisite was having their own functional sewing machine.
• 1,624 women and girls underwent one week of apparel trade training conducted by 70 identified entrepreneurs.

Replicable Successful Business Model

• 70 sewing and beauty parlour centres were established under the name BPF Sewing Centre.
• 86% of the business ventures are making profits, and the income of the entrepreneurs has increased from Rs. 9,000/- to Rs. 12,000/- per month, varying according to the festive and harvesting seasons.
• 17 entrepreneurs emerged as leaders by continuously supporting girls in starting their own sewing businesses.

New Hope Entrepreneurship Development Programme

Purpose

• Transforming rural women from housewives into entrepreneurs.
• Linking rural women to skill and entrepreneurship development programmes to make them self-reliant.
• Empowering weak and deprived women by strengthening their personal health, social security and economic empowerment.

Results

• 90 sewing entrepreneurs are earning Rs. 9,000-12,000 per month by operating their own sewing and beauty centres.
• 90 women received training in fashion, embroidery, designing and beauty care.
• Over three years, 5,460 people were trained through 90 sewing centres in fashion, embroidery, designing and beauty care, making them skilled and self-reliant.

Impact

• Following the COVID-19 period, women gained an identity in society due to their skills and their ability to cope with adverse circumstances.
• Women gained recognition as heads of households and equal partners in decision-making within their homes.
• There has been a significant reduction in social discrimination and domestic violence within families.