The Government has launched various schemes and porgramme for the upliftment of women and community but impact of these initiatives is not visible. Few months back the same was the case of women from Zawar location situated in the different terrains of Girwa Tehsil.
The situation started changing when Manjari Foundation under Sakhi project entered in Zawar, and started approaching women for SHG formation. This intervention changed the attitude of women. Earlier they all were confined to their homes, involved in own drudgery, now act together learned how to manage thrift, appraise credit needs. Most importantly they are now aware of their rights and entitlements.

Multiple effects of SHGs are visible in our lives. As narrated by “We go to meet the government officials or bank managers as a united front. If there are any problems to be sorted out, we approach the officials together and show that we are to be taken seriously”

We started accessing Govt. schemes. Before few weeks there was a time when we did not know about the details and procedures how to avail theses schemes. But now, during SHG and VO meetings, Sakhi facilitators help us on the procedures and necessary documentation which are required to get benefits under these schemes. One such scheme is Pradhan Mantri jivan Jyoti Bima Yozna with which our 336 SHG members from associated and also persuaded other women and family to linked with such and other Govt. schemes.

We got to know of the government schemes for the people like us only after becoming a member of the group. Now we would like to take measures with which every women of the village can be aware of her rights and access the benefits of the government schemes.

One day I heard the voice of women singing bhajan in my village. “Development cannot take place in a day or month, But I had taken my first step towards it”.