People’s Association For Rural Women Development (PARWD)
Training women in income generating skills in Tamil Nadu, India.
Aim: To train women (from 11 villages) in different income generating skills: basket weaving, mud pot making and brick making; to organise beneficiaries into economic activity groups and provide these groups with revolving fund/seed money.
Background: In the area PARWD works, the female population lives in very difficult conditions. They work as agricultural labourers without a regular income and at the bottom of the social ladder. The area is notorious for male domination and discrimination against women, a situation that is perpetuated by tradition and costumes.
The programme: The project has three main components: firstly, it will provide these women with income generating skills in three main areas (basket weaving, mud pot making and brick making); secondly they will be organized in economic activity groups and finally, these groups will be provided with a revolving fund. These actions will provide the women with skills in production and also with financial guidance which will help them to break the circle of poverty.
Partners: PARWD was started in 1992 by social activists, has 7 full time staff, 10 part time staff and 20 volunteers. Their previous projects include: community health training, income generation programs and provision of support services to disabled people.
Previously they have been funded by government agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other national and international organisations such as Melania Foundation, Netherlands and UN Women’s Guild Austria.
Outcome: The project will give female agricultural labourers an opportunity to learn new skills and generate a much higher income than they currently earn. It will encourage beneficiaries to purchase/lease lands to generate their own food. Additionally, beneficiaries will contribute towards the revolving fund which will lead to the creation of new groups, guaranteeing the sustainability of the project.
Evaluation: PARWD monitors the programme activities weekly and it is reviewed internally every month in staff meetings. Additionally, the Women Self Help Group Federation (WSHG) will be involved in monitoring the process, objectives achievement, and spending of money. Finally, Tzedek receives six monthly reports outlining progress and issues encountered.
Funding Required: The project has a cost of £1.031 over six months.
If you would like more information about PARWD or make a donation towards this project or another similar project please click here or call 020 7443 5121.
