Mahila Shakti Project — Supported by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai. Implemented by Human Welfare Association, Varanasi.
Executive Summary
“Sustainable Development of Rural Women through Education Initiatives”
The present project area covers one block, Chiraigaon, Varanasi. The Human Welfare Association is working in the project area and has formed more than 100 women Self-Help Groups; through these SHGs, nearly 1000 women are associated with the organization in livelihood promotion activities. But due to lack of education facilities there is very low literacy among the women. The project intervention is highly populated with people from Dalit and OBC communities, socially discriminated groups, and economically backward communities. Consequently, they become the priority for any development initiative and receive top priority for the development of rural women through education initiatives.
The project believes that if women become literate, capable in numeracy, and improve their personality and lifestyle, they will become more empowered in the socio-economic and political sector and will play a vital role in the field of development.
About the Project
Aim: The Mahila Shakti project aims to organize and empower the most disadvantaged sections of rural women for sustainable and comprehensive development leading to improved quality of living and empowerment through education initiatives.
Goal: To empower rural women through education initiatives.
HWA is the local implementing partner in Varanasi district for the SDTT initiative “Strengthening Women’s Social, Economic and Political Empowerment” in Chiraigaon block, Varanasi. 1000 women participated in the Mahila Shakti project through 40 education centres in 20 villages, and an additional 1000 women will be the integral part of the federation from 20 nearby villages.
Project at a Glance
- Total women enrolled in education centres: 1024
- Total villages: 40 villages in Chiraigaon block
- Educational centres: 40 (in 20 villages)
- Additional villages: 20
- Identified clusters: 4
- Identified volunteers: 120
- Women groups (SHG): 50
- Women attending literacy class: 1024
- Women attending basic competencies: 814
Case Study: Munni Devi, Mustafabad (Bari)
“I am Munni Devi from Mustafabaad and I belong to a Dalit family. When I joined the education centre, I didn’t know how to write my name. Savitri didi taught me to write my name and my family name, but I used to forget words — so to solve the forgetting problem I used to write the words on the walls of my kitchen and other working places. My husband supports me and motivates me to participate at the education centre. Now I am able to read and write simple words and sentences easily. We named our cluster PRAGTI, representing our development. I always motivate other community women who are illiterate.”
Case Study: Hiramani Devi, Damodarpur
Hiramani, a member of the AZAD SHG, struggled to obtain her ration because she had no BPL card. After interacting with the educational instructor and supervisor staff, all the educational women and members put pressure on the Gram Pradhan and BDC member so that she got the ration card in right time. The federation members also help villagers identify the right beneficiaries. Now she gets ration from the government and her children do not have to sleep hungry.
Case Study: Gayatri, Bhaisaudi
Gayatri came to the educational centre and mobilized other women to form an SHG. The women elected her as president of their group. Through women federation training organised by HWA, she learned how to demand work in writing from the Gram Pradhan, and that if work is not provided within 15 days the community can demand allowance — strengthening her leadership for the development of her community.