Fundraising Appeal for Young Women and Girls in Rural India: Celebrating Two Decades of ‘Walk for Women’

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Dear friends and members of the Action Village India community,

We are sharing with you a request for your solidarity and support for partners, Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas (Self-Employed Women’s Association) and the EquiDiversity Foundation. Together, we are committed to furthering women’s economic and political empowerment in rural communities in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh and Birbhum district of West Bengal.

We are sharing information an update from partners, followed by reflections on the impact of the vital work they are doing in rural India.

We are hoping to raise a solidarity contribution of £10,000 for this inspiring work and we hope that you could consider being part of it.

Thank you for your continued support.

With warmest wishes for the season ahead

Action Village India

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Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas (MSSN)

Established in 1991, MSSN, our newest partner, is a Madhya Pradesh-based trust focused on empowering women workers in India’s unorganised sector. The organisation now reaches over 600,000 women labourers in 1,200 rural villages and 800 low-income urban settlements across the state. As a sister organisation to SEWA Madhya Pradesh, Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas has committed to uplifting women by supporting their rights and livelihoods.

Supporting Indigenous Young Women and Girls

In central Madhya Pradesh, Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas is working with young women and girls from marginalised indigenous communities. In spite of attempts to address the historical exclusion of these groups by various institutions, deeply entrenched societal prejudices continue to leave indigenous communities on the peripheries of their communities and society. Indigenous women especially face discrimination based on ethnicity, gender and economic disadvantage, often resulting in generational poverty. Living in remote areas with limited access to healthcare and education, these women are in critical need of support to overcome these challenges.

Purpose and Scope of Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas’s Support

Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas is aiming to equip these adolescent girls and young women with livelihoods skills, helping them to secure opportunities for self-employment and to develop small enterprises. Furthermore, they are promoting climate resilience and increasing awareness of climate change.

Activities and Impact

In ten rural, indigenous-majority villages, Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas’s initiatives will directly impact 3,696 women and girls, with a positive ripple effect anticipated to benefit around 12,000 people. The programme includes:

● Skills Training for 180 Women: Women will gain skills in production and sales, handling all aspects from procuring materials to packaging and marketing.

● Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Ten SHGs, one in each village, will be formed with 100 women, enabling them to access loans for small enterprises.

● Climate Resilience Training: 100 women will form Vigilance Committees, receiving training on climate resilience, sustainable animal husbandry, and promoting environmental awareness in their communities.

● Support for Indigenous Women Farmers: Around 100 women farmers will supply raw materials locally, reducing transportation costs, middlemen fees, and the carbon footprint of production.

● Document Assistance: 1,500 women and their families will receive support to obtain government documents essential for accessing welfare schemes, schooling, and banking services.

● Climate Awareness for 12,000 People: Training sessions will raise awareness of climate change, encouraging community-driven environmental action and adaptations.

These activities are designed to foster a sense of collective ownership and responsibility among women, empowering them to manage and sustain these initiatives over time.

EquiDiversity Foundation (EDF)

Based in Kolkata and founded in 2016, the EquiDiversity Foundation works to promote gender equality, particularly in decision-making and governance. EquiDiversity Foundation operates in three West Bengal districts: South 24 Parganas, Birbhum, and Purulia, supporting women’s roles in local governance.

Empowering women in rural West Bengal

Since September 2021, EquiDiversity Foundation has been working in four Gram Panchayats in Birbhum, West Bengal to enable women to take on policy-making roles. EquiDiversity Foundation’s efforts focus on building a more inclusive and equitable environment where women can exercise leadership at the local governance level.

Activities and support provided by EquiDiversity Foundation

EquiDiversity Foundation’s initiatives aim to strengthen women’s economic independence, as well as political influence, including:

● Development of Producer Groups and Cooperatives: 50 women across two districts will form producer groups to collectively market and sell their products under the ‘Metho’ label, an EDF-supported brand.

● Brand Development and Training: EDF will assist these groups with licensing, quality management, and entrepreneurship training.

In rural communities, women-led businesses are often seen as secondary income sources, with limited resources and support. EquiDiversity Foundation’s interventions aim to build women’s confidence and break down barriers to economic independence, challenging traditional roles and promoting a shift towards equality.

Celebrating 21 Years of ‘Walk for Women’

This year, we celebrate the 21st anniversary of our ‘Walk for Women’, championed by Action Village India trustee Pallavi. For over two decades, this walk has symbolised our community’s commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women in rural India. Through this appeal, we hope to inspire our supporters—old and new—to join us in marking this significant milestone and recognising the enduring spirit of this journey.

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Please join us in Making a Difference

As we mark two decades of ‘Walk for Women’, we invite you to support these transformative initiatives in Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Your contribution to our £10,000 goal can contribute to changing lives, fostering economic independence and resilience for women and girls in rural India.

Thank you for your solidarity,

Warm wishes,

Action Village India