| Womens' Self Help Groups |
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PBRC is working with 27 Womens' Self Help Groups (SHGs) within the Kaliveli Bioregion and along the Coromandel Coast. These SHGs allow women to interact effectively with one another and take an active role in the development of the community.
A major component of the work with these groups involves providing training and setting up Income Generation Projects that the women can easily develop. Training workshops are conducted for each group in the areas of:
Many of these groups establish Kitchen Herbal Gardens and use the herbal plants for medicine preparation after attending these workshops. As a result of receiving training in these groups, community members are beginning to utilise organic farming methods on their own land and to grow crops with success. Plantation of TDEF species in their villages and setting up indigenous nurseries as IGP activities are helping to conserve the biodiversity of the region.
A Women's Centre has been recently constructed at Nadukuppam Field, which enables womens' SHGs to meet independently in a safe, stimulating environment. It provides them with the opportunity to expand their horizons and interact with other women and sections of the community - as well as being a hub of information and knowledge. The Centre and its activities encourage women to implement sustainable practices in the village and farming community. |