Women in Development: People’s Association for Rights Advocacy

MCCSS has tremendously impacted the local Chennai community through the Women in Development (WID) Project. Today, local women are more articulate, confident, and decisive and are now empowered to assume leadership roles. The Women in Development Programme highlights violence against women and creates gender sensitivity in both men and women. Men take initiatives to assist women in forming Self Help Groups (SHG) after understanding issues of gender sensitivity. MCCSS works to capitalize on this progressive trend through its establishment of the Women in Development programme with the aim of promoting leadership among women in Chennai slums. This new program is executed by enabling women to overcome the existing exploitative structures within the society.

Helping women develop confidence in their own abilities is a major focus of the WID department. The purpose of the formation of SHGs is to help women:

• Attain unity
• Collectively bear each other’s problems
• Inculcate problem-solving skills
• Achieve economic development
• Experience a debt-free life
  

The Impact in the Community

This project has brought about tremendous change in the lives of women and their entire community. It’s work serves as a channel of expression for their personal skills and also helps them demonstrate their concern for the community. After gaining confidence in the WID programme, women feel ready to organize groups and approach government officials with community issues.

‘Nambikkai’ (hope) SHG Saroja – Blindness and widowhood did not stop her from success

Being blind and a widow did not deter Saroja from experiencing the best of life. She decided to change her financial destiny and joined Nambikkai group. With the money she earned, she raised her two sons and gave them good education. Success experienced in her SHG as a leader, inspired her to form many new groups. Saroja is monitoring and guiding the groups successfully. Saroja has good rapport with the bank manager and has facilitated loan disbursement for all the federation members. She motivated the ward counselor in her area to lay proper roads in five streets, and the same was implemented. Her enthusiasm is unabated as she continues to plan for the expansion.

enthusiasm is unabated as she continues to plan for the expansion.

Success Quotes:

“I moved to Chennai from a rural village after monsoon damage to my home. My husband is a porter and we struggled a lot due to debts. After joining the SHG, I have started a small shop and we are free from debt and have extra money.” --Pappa

“I was very shy and introverted. But after taking part in various sensitization programs, I am more confident and I have become a leader. I am grateful to MCCSS.” –Nirmala

Central Committee Leader giving an interview to the TV at the end of demonstration against child labour. Nearly thousand Participants both men and women took part in it.

Women Performing Skit along with staff at the 7th National Conferance for women at kolkatta.

“The Area Level Committee Members in a Meeting".