Women Development Programme

Women development in watershed areas

Women and men have distinct responsibilities and different stakes in using and managing natural resources in a watershed. As economic providers, caregivers, and household managers, women are responsible for ensuring that their families have basic resources for daily lives. They are often the managers of community natural resources, and have learned to protect these resources in order to preserve them for future generations (managers of sustainability). They have extensive knowledge, experience and common sense on use and management of natural sources. Women also use natural resources for economic activities, building and repair work, crops and food processing.

Highlights:

332 women beneficiaries from the watershed area of Vadamadurai were trained in 8 number of batches for 2 days each on income generative activities.

World Women’s Day Celebrations

International Women’s Day is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic

and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. In India, it is an important day, when contributions from women are highlighted and celebrated.

Highlights:

On 31^st March Women’s day was celebrated with the participation of 3272women beneficiaries from 450 Self Help Group of Kadavur block of Karur district and on the same day the programme was conducted at Mondruadaippu village of Naganaeri block at Thirunelveli district with the participation of 567 women beneficiaries at the training centre.

Mother’s day celebration

Mother’s Day is celebrated to honor all mothers and express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up a child. Mothers Day came into being due to the efforts made by Ms Julia Ward Howe and Ms Anna Jarvis.

Highlights:

On 11 May Mothers day was celebrated with the participation of 272 women beneficiaries from 23 Self Help Group of Kadavur block of Karur district.

Mahalir Thittam (Tamilnadu Corporation for Women Development) (TNCWD)

Assignment name: Mahalir Thittam (Tamilnadu Corporation for Women Development) (TNCWD)	Value of the project:Rs. 39,60,000
Location within country: Kadavur,Thogamalai,AravakurichiParamathi blocks of Karur district, Tamil Nadu	Duration of assignment (months): Kadavur, Thogamalai, Aravakurichi, Paramathi (36 m) blocks of Karur district, Tamil Nadu *m- Months
Total No. of staff-months of the assignment: 180 smstaff months Kadavur,Thogamalai,AravakurichiParamathi blocks of Karur district, Tamil Nadu – 180 sm *sm- Staff-Months
Address:Project Officer, Mahalir Thittam, Collectorate Campus, Karur district, Tamil Nadu
Start date (month/year): Completion date (month/year):Kadavur,Thogamalai,Aravakurichi and Paramathi blocks of Karur district, Tamil Nadu From 26.01.2006 to till date
Name of associated Consultants, if any: —	Name of senior professional staff of your firm involved and functions performed (indicate most significant profiles such as Project Director/Coordinator, Team Leader):Project Director : S. JagadeesanCoordinators : S. Mahalakshmi, M. SubramaniTeam Leaders :,C.G.Kothairani P. Saroja, T. Balaji, R. Rathinagiri
Narrative description of Project:The Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Project under the name of “Mahalir Thittam” is a replication. This project is intended to promote economic development and social empowerment of poor women through a network of Self Help Groups formed. The objectives of the project, focused on poor and disadvantaged women through Social Empowerment through, Economic Empowerment ,Capacity Building ,SHG formation and Financial Services.
Description of actual services provided by your staff within the assignment: Formation of Self Help Group Awareness building, among the rural women on the status, participation & powers of decision-making at the household level. Social motivation to the women about the participation and powers of decision-making at the community and village levels. Economic empowerment of women starts with savings and internal lending. Streamlining the access to financial resources outside the house-hold Economic empowerment of the women by improving their own income, and the power to retain/save such income and use it at her discretion. Creating awareness on health, education, environment, legal rights, etc. Linking the SHG’s under SGSY scheme, TAHDCO, NABARD, RMK, etc. Building the Functional literacy, communication skill, leadership skill for Self-help & mutual help among the women themselves.