CSG’s Salem District Women Development Scheme or SALWODS was a joint action program conducted with the state government’s Tamil Nadu Corporation for the Development of Women (DeW). The primary objective was the economic and social development of women, which they believed could be achieved by increasing the earning potential of women, raising their awareness of problems that plagued them in society, fostering their confidence, and developing strong, cohesive groups capable of collective action. In the initial stages, DeW wished to implement this project in the Dharmapuri, Salem, and South Arcot districts with three NGOs in charge of each.
For the first time, the government showed confidence in the ability of NGOs, was willing to provide them with adequate flexibility to implement the project, and was placing importance on training over an extended period of time through various phases (SALWODS, SALWODS II, etc.), rather than at once. Due to CSG’s extensive experience with income-generating and social development activities, as well as its existing presence in some of the intended project areas, CSG took up the challenge of implementing this project in the Salem district in 1991, and was expected to cover 12,910 women over a period of four years. The project would later go on to cover the Namakkal district as well.
Since CSG had been doing similar work in 55 villages in the district, it already had about 2,100 women involved in such programs, who were divided into seventy groups. CSG believed that it could achieve the primary goals of SALWODS, as it had in the past, by focusing on collective action, and developing thrift and credit savings among groups. CSG was responsible for the identification of focus groups, group formation, the training of animators and supervisors, providing ongoing support to field staff and to the groups, and overseeing the emergence of a formal, long-term structure for the groups, while the government’s line departments were responsible for providing technical support for the various economic activities for which select banks would offer credit support.
SALWODS undertakings were divided as follows:
Thrift &Credit Program: This activity was very similar to what CSG was doing with its WOSEM project, and initially began with group members saving Rs. 10 per month, per member. There was also an additional Rs. 1 paid monthly per woman as a membership fee, which was placed in the common fund. The savings amounts have grown over the years, and women were able to utilize these savings, as they had in WOSEM, for both setting up and building existing businesses, and also for non-productive purposes. It also had the added benefit of avoiding money lenders who charged incredibly high interest rates. This program facilitated members’ access to small loans, which helped them to better their income-generating capacity. In addition, CSG worked to help the groups increase their financial management abilities, which served to boost their economic self-reliance.
Economic Activities: Women were identified for activities such as agro forestry, agricultural engineering, oil seed ventures, horticulture, sericulture, animal husbandry and cottage industries, and were provided with adequate technical training by the government’s line departments, as well as credit support. In addition, CSG also provided training through its vocational training centers and directly to groups in carpentry, mat weaving, pottery, silk weaving, brick and thatch making, synthesizing detergent and clothe whiteners, running bakeries, groceries meat stalls and beauty parlors, handicrafts, audio system repair, bicycle repair, making black metal, and many other activities. These trainings have provided the women with yet more ways to increase their earnings.
Social Development: As in its other programs, CSG used the women’s group meetings in SALWODS to provide women with training and support to become decision makers in charge of their own lives, a safe forum to discuss their needs and problems, and build strong groups able to engage in collective bargaining. Many women have stood for office in panchayat and union elections, and won positions such as Panchayat Board President, Panchayat Union Chairman, Panchayat Union Member, etc. CSG also set up family counseling to prevent female infanticide and foeticide (covered in more detail in the Save the Female Children program), and deal with domestic problems. In terms of raising health awareness, CSG aided in increasing awareness of sexual and reproductive rights, and conducted health camps. Moreover, CSG has given RCH and MCH through its training department, facilitated access to government financial assistance to meet medical and nutritional food expenses for pregnant women, provided vaccinations and polio drops for children at health camps, conducted HIV/AIDS awareness programs, sought welfare assistance for the handicapped, and promoted the registration of births and deaths in the communities. CSG has also set up a legal aid program to help boost women’s awareness of their fundamental rights and freedoms.
The micro-credit and economic undertakings, by helping women increase their earning capacity, brought them more recognition and status in their families and communities. This, coupled with the social development activities, has made them more aware of their problems and rights, brought about self-reliance, and a more gender equal society.
In addition, this program has helped CSG in educating the community in identifying barriers that hamper progress, planning strategies to prevent problems, and enabling the ability of women in determining their own path and destination. CSG acts to make women administrators of their own domain. The increase in their participation, initiative and leadership ability, and the slow withdrawal of our own, has the effect of ensuring that this self-reliance will be sustained. By April 2010, 100% of the program will be handed over to the women under the auspices of their own organization – Pengal Pannokku Koottammaippu.
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