Self-Help Groups, 1st Meeting, Sept. 2006
 

We have commenced a weekly program with our SHGs in collaboration with the Centre for Women Studies, University of Jammu in order to strengthen our SHGs. These SHGs would ultimately be integrated into Dairying for income generation. We hope that ultimately with economic empowerment, the status of the women in the area of operation would improve. However we also feel that along with the thrift and credit activities some awareness, educational and allied activities should also be conducted among these SHGs to enable their members to play a more meaningful role in society.

The inaugural meeting was held on 29th Sept 2006. A panel of 3 lecturers, Ms.Shveta Sharma, Ms.Vibhuti and Ms.Priyanka Katoch met 4 SHGs at village Mattoo and interacted with them. It was a vibrant meeting of 52 participants. Various women related problems surfaced during the interactive session such as suppression/oppression, alcoholism (in men), domestic violence and lack of economic activities for women in the area.

We hope to address such issues/problems with our program where we propose to take experts from varied fields on a weekly basis.