Nagpur, located in central India in the state of Maharashtra is a city of about 3 million,40% of which lives in slums. Being centrally located, it generates economic opportunities and brings in migrants from Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Andra Pradesh.

 

The poor from neighbouring states migrate to the city in search of alternative livelihood and most of them end up living in unhealthy slums. Nagpur city has 446 slums (2008) which often lack basic facilities. Most of the slum population lives in temporary structures.

 

According to the survey conducted by CHF International (2008) 53% of the adult males in slums are daily labourers, 18% are vegetable vendors, 16% are rickshaw pullers or auto drivers. Sixty five per cent of women are house wives, 16% domestic workers, 15% daily labourers and 4 % of them hold private jobs. The average income of the family is Rs.2000 to Rs.4000/-($36-$72).

 

Poverty follows wherever the rural poor migrate. The lack of income and lack of space forces them to live in unsanitary and unhealthy environments. They suffer from poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, lack health facilities and adequate housing. Unemployment and substance abuse tend to promote anti- social activities. Gender inequailty has led to imbalance in relationships and consequently the poor status of women in the communities. Poverty has severe impact on women.

 

The International Institute for Populations sciences, Mumbai (IIPS) mentions in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS -3, 2005-06) that 55% of the women in Nagpur slums have very low educational levels. Forty five per cent of them are under nourished. Four out of ten women are anaemic. It also points out the high prevalence of spousal violence in Nagpur slums.

Strategies and activities

 

1. Increased self and social awareness
   
   • Motivational and sensitization meetings – A total of six motivational and sensitization     meetings will be organized. The meetings will give a platform for the poor women           understand the need to empower themselves for the sustainable development of             themselves and their families.
   
   • Formation and promotion of self help groups of poor women in the target                          communities. The SHGs have required rules and regulations drafted and approved by   the members. They maintain all the documents and registers as required by a SHG.       Each member contributes a fixed amount to the SHG savings fund which is collectively   deposited in their bank account.
   
    • When it seems appropriate to the members, they will begin internal lending with a          rate of minimum interest fixed by the members which will go to the SHG savings              account.
   
    • SHG will be also platform for the members to discuss and try to find solutions                    concerning social, economic and health issues in their families and neighborhoods        with the support of available mechanisms collectively
    

2. Building skills
   
   • Training in SHG. The training programs will give the members deeper understanding of the SHGs and its role in their development.
   
   • Training in entrepreneurship –. The training will help the SHG members in                        understanding the basic dynamics of business, market, customers, linkages and skills    required.
   
   • Training in tailoring and embroidery – Six month training in tailoring and embroidery      has been organized in Tulsinagar and Gittikhadan. Instructors were appointed in both    the centers to train the women in tailoring and embroidery and continue providing          technical support to the women after the scheduled training. The training takes place      six days a week for six months duration.
    

3. Promotion of livelihood interventions
   
   • Tailoring units in Gittikhadan and Tulsinagar – Fully equipped tailoring units have           been set up for two groups after the training in both the centers in collaboration with       agencies who supply clothing to the hospitals and companies who will give sewing         jobs to the women trained either at the centers or in their homes. The trained women     will be encouraged to take up local work independently too. Once they gain expertise in tailoring in a span of one year, it is expected that each trained woman will earn a         minimum of Rs.4000/- a month. A certain percentage of the profit will go to the SHGs’     savings account. The tailoring machines will be the property of the women members.
   
   • Clothes and imitation jewelry store – A clothes and imitation jewelry store will set for       the third group of women. A store will be acquired on rent. The members of the group     will take turns to work in the store. There will be daily monitoring of the stock and             financial matters by the office bearers of the group.
   
   The profit from the sale will be shared by the members and a certain fixed percentage of the profit will go to the groups’ savings account. The group members will also take up sale of clothes and imitation jewelry on commission basis
   
   A certain percentage of the profit from this activity too will go to the SHGs’ savings           account. The members of the SHG are expected to earn a minimum of Rs. 4000/- a         month once the business is established.