Empowering Women through Sustainable Livelihoods

Background and Rationale:

Despite India’s strides in economic growth, gender-based economic inequality persists, particularly among underprivileged women in rural and urban areas. These women often face barriers such as limited access to education, vocational training, capital, and support systems—hindering their ability to participate in the workforce or become financially independent.

The Nobodita Project under Montram Foundation aims to address these systemic challenges by equipping underprivileged women with skills, knowledge, financial tools, and networks needed to generate income, thereby fostering long-term empowerment and social transformation.

Project Goal:

To create sustainable income-generating opportunities for underprivileged women through skill-building, entrepreneurship, and support systems, leading to financial independence and social empowerment.

Objectives:

1. Skill Development:
   Provide training in market-relevant vocational skills such as tailoring, handicrafts, food processing, and farming and digital literacy.
2. Financial Inclusion:
   Facilitate access to savings mechanisms, and financial literacy programs to enable participants to manage and grow their income.
3. Market Linkage:
   Support women in connecting them to local and digital marketplaces.
4. Empowerment and Social Change:
   Foster self-confidence, decision-making ability, and leadership among women through regular capacity-building workshops and peer mentoring.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Economically disadvantaged women from rural communities.
• Survivors of gender-based violence or those at risk of exploitation.
• Women lacking access to education or formal employment opportunities.

Key Program Components:

1. Skill Development and Vocational Training

• Tailoring and Garment Making
• Handicrafts and Eco-friendly Products (e.g., jute bags, diyas, terracotta crafts)
• Food Preservation and Processing (pickle making, bakery items, spice blending)
• Organic Farming
• Animal Husbandry

2. Financial Support and Inclusion

• Financial Literacy: Basics of saving, budgeting, borrowing, and investments.
• Access to Capital: Collaboration with microfinance institutions, CSR funds, and SHG-based revolving loan funds.
• Banking Access: Assistance in opening bank accounts, linking with Jan Dhan Yojana, etc.

3. Market Linkages and Promotion

• Develop branding and packaging for SHG-made products.
• Organize exhibitions, fairs, and haats to showcase products.
• Build an online marketplace platform.

Expected Outcomes:

• 100 women trained and engaged in income-generating activities in the first year.
• At least 30 women initiate micro-enterprises or become self-employed.
• Increased household income and reduced economic vulnerability for beneficiaries.
• Enhanced self-esteem, community respect, and participation in local governance among women.

Conclusion:

The Nobodita Project aims not just to generate income but to spark a transformation—where women move from the margins to the mainstream of economic and social life. Through strategic skill-building, financial support, and community empowerment, Montram Foundation seeks to build a future where underprivileged women are active change-makers in their homes and communities.

Benefeciaries