Empowering Women in Rural India: Case Stories of Sakhi Farmer and Textile Beneficiaries

1. Case Stories

2. Manbhawati Devi (48 Years , Kakariya Village)Sakhi Farmer Beneficiary I always believes that farmers should get the right price for all their labour that goes into cultivating quality produce but the price of our produce always govern by Aratiya System, which is most of the time is not in favour of farmers, but fixed price basket is the answer of my all concern and worries .”– Manbhawati Devi Manbhawati Devi is a widow residing in the village of Kakrahiya. She is single parent of 4 child and She is marginalized farmer. Contributing up to Rs.2500 per month to the family income of Rs.8,000-Rs.10,000 per month. Earlier her average earning was Rs 1500 with lots of tension and negotiations . Now she become the part of Sakhi farmer basket and feeling very happy and motivated as she has fixed price of her produce. And also she has not to go to market the sell her produce.

3. Soni Tiwari (36 Years , Kakariya Village)Sakhi Textile Beneficiary I am a single parent and i dont want to be dependent on any one . I wants to live in my own house iwith my kids and want to give them quality education – Soni. Soni has good stiching skill and due to lack of stablished market , Soni was not getting a good exposer to utilize her talent. Due to which she wouldn’t receive stitching orders on a regular basis.The pricing of the stitched merchandise was also an issue at the village level. This was until she heard about Drishtee Livelihood Center (DLC). The opportunity presented to her excited her and she showed a special interest in learning and utilizing her talent. With her family’s support, she become textile beneficiary. Now she is earning more than Rs 3000 in a month . she sharpen her stiching skill with the trainings and start creating high - end quality product which is ready for sale in market.

4. Akriti Patel (22 Years , Kakariya Village)Sakhi Textile Beneficiary “Initially it was very difficult in managing household work and job. but it was my dream to be economic independent. With my supportive family members, It become possible and now I am the one who mainly runs my family with the income of , as my husband is currently pursuing his studies . Today, I have gained a lot of respect in home as well as in society”– Akriti Patel, Varanasi. Akriti was very keen stand on her own, as her husband is persuing his studies. she has to support financial to her familiy as well. she used to earn Rs 2000 on an average by stiching clothes with her limited stiching skill. But now she become the major contributor of her famility income which is Rs 15000 with a contribution of Rs 8000 per month. She feels that after becoming a part of SakhiSwablamban, not only our beneficiaries but the social structure around them has been noticeably modified in most of the cases. There is a clear mind set change and higher acceptability / support that comes up from the family, including all the in-laws as well as the other members of the community in the village.

5. Rita Devi (40 Years , Kakrariya Village)Sakhi Farmer Beneficiary “Whenever I am earning from vegetables, I am trying and learning to keep all the records and share equal decision making authority in deciding about the expenses or reinvestment decision – Rita Devi, Kakraiya Women's confidence and self-esteem increase when they have greater knowledge, economic assets and income-earning capacity, and they are more likely to participate in private decision-making. Rita devi with an additional income of Rs 2000 per month in her family income income, now feel very confident to take decisions of their crops and vegetables. Enhanced knowledge on farming encourage her to take risk which lead enhanced income. Earlier famring decision was totally dependent on her husband. But now she took lead of their farming activity and more income with farming decisions.

6. Rekha Maurya (38 Years , Panditpur Village)Sakhi Textile Beneficiary “ Right now I am having 26 trainee working in my centre . It is my 3rd batch hoping to get more trainees in further batches . I understand the value of shared prosperity for all and working hard to get more candidates skilled and get to a joint working relationship. ” – Rekha Maurya Self-worth and self-confidence are both very important qualities for a female entrepreneur to have. Rekha was a women with limited stiching skill but she want to support her family as their family income is around Rs 5000- 6000 in a month as his husband is a farmer. Now her family income became double as Rekha become Textile Training Associate and running her training center . Rekha Maurya realizes that working women play a important role in the family . They couldn’t only help in increasing the income of the family but also contribute towards the growth and development of an Individual and community as well.

7. Divya Gupta (38 Years)MIRI Associate, Varanasi • “Living in a society where women are only for household work, sometimes it is very difficult to convince the family to allow me to go outside and meet people. But with purpose of SakhiSwavlamban I see the initiation of a change. ” –Divya Gupta Divya is the first MIRI Associate to establish rural product market by creating network of urban customers. Her husband is in to photo graphy . Divya want to give better quality of life to their family but she never dare to move from her house though she has ability. Now she is earning Rs 5000 per month. Now she become more mobile, and is going to their children’s school, the doctor, to market, to meet relatives, and above all to connect with people to become the customers for Sakhi Farmer and SakhiSwavlamban beneficiaries, such as Sakhi Farmer Basket. Earlier she was totally dependent of her husband now she is sharing equal economic responsibility with her husband. she is working hard and inspiring other women to become self-dependent .

8. THANK YOU