Collective action for change
Collective action has led to a change in the lives of tribal women in Umardha village, Madhya Pradesh state. A public bus has been sanctioned to Geetha Self Help Group (SHG) of the village in Harda district, under the Rani Durgavathi Rojgar Yoj
ana (self employment scheme) of the State government.
A 25% grant along with a 75% loan has been made available for the group to buy the bus. The women members of this group, with equal income sharing, will collectively manage the bus. We, at AEA, have been working in 40 forest villages of block Timarani, district Harda, with the tribal community on education and empowerment of women.
The SHG Geetha was formed seven years ago, with 14 women contributing Rs 50 every month, for the last seven years. Today, the total savings of the group are more than Rs 1 lakh. The SHG women have also been trained for preparation of craft articles by forest department, in order to aid income generation.