Sensitizing Women on Work Opportunities

Leader: Mr.Lakshmish.S, Followers: Mr.Veeresh and Ms.Gayatri

Location/ Community involved: Women Group, Devi Nagar, Hubli

Activity & Description: The activity focused on providing information to the women group, gathered at Devi Nagar, Hubli. The reason for choosing that particular area was most of the women there go for earning doing several sort of works such as household and construction work. Around 20 women and 5 youth girls were gathered.

The session began by asking what they feel about the work they do. Many of them expressed saying “there is no other way than doing coolie for filling the stomach, only then we can lead life”. But the overall opinion was they were forced to do because of their situation. Taking this as opportunity, we gave them information about what sort of livelihood can support them for their income of the family. Gave information about the training provided by “Mann Deshi” on basics of Computer and Tailoring. Also gave information on the availability of loan system under Micro Finance and facilities of Marketing. The mode of repaying the loan along with the terms and conditions were explained.

Few women interacted asking questions like, “we have sewing machine with us, what can we do next”. All such queries were addressed and distributed pamphlets of Mann Deshi, which has all the information regarding the training on the wheels (Bus). The names of all the members were collected along with the contact numbers if they had for further follow up. One woman by name Shobha (name changed) took the responsibility of gathering the group and intending when to come.This way the group was sensitized on the opportunities to work for their livelihood.

Objective/ Goal:
1. Sensitizing on the work opportunity for the women group.

2. Providing awareness on the available facilities for women.

Strategies:
1. Asking what they need and provide what they are looking for.
2. Distribution of pamphlets.Displaying of the prepared materials done by beneficiaries.

Challenges: Making the group understanding about the pre-requisites of loan, terms and conditions.

Lessons learnt & Output:
1. Dealing with the Micro Finance as it was my first experience working with it in large.

2. Few have come up asking for the training and one lady asked the job opportunity elsewhere as she is in the thought of changing the job.

Future Plan: Needs further follow up for formation of the group.