Gramin Mahila Swawlamban Program (Under Our Girls Our Pride)
The Gramin Mahila Swawlamban Program, implemented by Gramin Vikas Sansthan under the banner of Our Girls Our Pride, is a focused initiative designed to empower rural women through access to social security, skill development, and livelihood opportunities. The program recognizes that women in rural areas are often excluded from formal systems of employment and welfare and therefore aims to strengthen their participation in schemes like NAREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and other social security programs.
Objectives:
- Employment Assurance: Link women with NAREGA to ensure 100 days of guaranteed wage employment and promote equal participation in rural development works.
- Social Security Inclusion: Facilitate access to schemes such as widow pensions, maternity benefits, health insurance (Ayushman Bharat), and old-age pensions.
- Skill Enhancement: Provide practical training in essential livelihood skills like tailoring, food processing, organic farming, and handicrafts.
- Economic Independence: Support women in initiating micro-enterprises with the help of self-help groups (SHGs) and financial inclusion schemes.
- Awareness and Leadership: Build confidence so women can claim their rights and make informed decisions at both family and community levels.
Key Components:
- Capacity-Building Workshops on labor rights, financial literacy, and government entitlements.
- Skill Training Modules aligned with local needs, ensuring women can supplement their income beyond NAREGA.
- Facilitation of Entitlements, ensuring smooth access to pensions, insurance, and welfare schemes.
- Community Mobilization for creating awareness around gender equality and women's contribution to household and village economy.
Impact:
The program has helped women secure employment under NAREGA, access pensions and insurance, and build income streams through skills like tailoring and farming. As a result, rural women are moving towards economic security, dignity, and greater decision-making power, contributing to sustainable community development.