SEWA District Strategic Plan 2008 – 11 Kheda and Anand ... · SEWA District Strategic Plan 2008...
Transcript of SEWA District Strategic Plan 2008 – 11 Kheda and Anand ... · SEWA District Strategic Plan 2008...
SEWA District Strategic Plan 2008 – 11
Kheda and Anand Districts, Gujarat
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre,
Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad - 380001
Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
List of Content:
1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................3
2. Brief introduction to SEWA.....................................................................................................3
3. Description of the situation in Kheda and Anand districts ................................................4
4. The Kheda and Anand districts strategic plan (2008-2011) ................................................9
4.1 Organisational and Institutional Development of SEWA.................................................9
4.1.1 Organisational Development and Institutional Capacity Building..............................9
4.1.2 Human Resource Development.......................................................................................17
4.2 Tobacco Campaign and organising....................................................................................20
4.3 Capital formation and decreased economic vulnerability..............................................21
4.4 Income Generating Activities & new skills and capacity building ...............................23
4.4.1 Setting up of RUDI Processing Centre and 3 Processing HUBS.................................23
4.4.2 Agriculture Campaign ......................................................................................................24
4.4.3 Weaving...............................................................................................................................25
4.4.4 Nursery Raising .................................................................................................................27
4.4.5 Waste Paper Picker ............................................................................................................28
4.5 Increasing social security and reducing vulnerability ....................................................29
4.5.1 Water Campaign ................................................................................................................29
4.5.2 Health Care .........................................................................................................................30
4.5.3 Child Care Centres.............................................................................................................31
4.5.4 Insurance .............................................................................................................................32
4.5.5 Rehabilitation of Riots affected Widows (Shanta programme) ..................................34
4.5.6 Jeevan Shala (Life schools)................................................................................................34
Annex:
1: The Logical Framework Analysis (not included in this version)
2: Budget (not included in this version)
3: Implementation Plan (not included in this version)
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
3
1. Introduction
The current write-up is prepared to present the strategic plan for the duration of 3 years
(2008-2011) of Kheda District Association of SEWA. It starts with a brief introduction to
SEWA, followed by a description of the situation of Kheda Anand District, and its district
association. Further this is followed by the strategic planning of the said District
Association along with the brief description of the said activity, its current status and plans
for taking up the same in coming years. The Plan is also supported with a Logical
Framework Analysis (LFA), the financial requirement and an Implementation Plan, which
are attached as Annexes 1 to 3.
2. Brief introduction to SEWA
SEWA is a membership-based movement and trade union with 9,59,698 poor, self-
employed women members from informal economy. Its primary goal is to organise women
workers to obtain full employment and economic self-reliance.
SEWA is a confluence of a labour union and a developmental movement and consequently
SEWA activities are a combination of struggle and development. In practice this means that
SEWA seeks to strengthen the position of labourers in the national economy through
typical, union-like activities such as demands for legal minimum wages, safe working
conditions, employment security and so on. However, experience has shown that, especially
in the rural areas, structural unemployment and underemployment renders the position of
the poor self-employed women as weak vis-à-vis employers making typical union activities
less effective. Hence, SEWA combines union activities with developmental activities, for
instance, the creation alternative employment. This in its turn will strengthen the position of
the women in the economy.
Based on this philosophy, SEWA has developed an approach that consists of following four
elements:
(1) Organising women for collective strength as individual poor women do not have a
voice
(2) Building new skills and capacities so that women can become owners and managers
and not just producers and labourers
(3) Encouraging capital formation at the household, group and community levels with the
income earned
(4) Increasing social security to enhance women’s well-being and productivity and reduce
the impacts of illness or sudden crises on fragile household economies.
Also it is very important to mention that SEWA pays ample attention to the capacity
building of its cadre of grassroots leaders and spearhead teams1 to ensure sustainability and
increase its grassroots capacity Over the last decade, more and more women leaders have
stepped forward as pro-active managers of SEWA’s programs thereby fading the line
between ‘the poor self-employed women members’ and ‘SEWA-organisers’. This gives an
1 Spearhead teams consist of SEWA grassroots members with proven leadership qualities who have acquired
an immense practical experience in various activities / fields such as water, savings-and-credits etc. They play
a pivotal role in SEWA’s activities, as they are familiar with local conditions, easily relate to poor village
women, and can mobilise their social networks to involve other women in SEWA activities.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
4
idea on the SEWA’s movement which is being carried forward by the self-employed women
themselves.
3. Description of the situation in Kheda and Anand districts
SEWA through its office in Anand works in both the districts of Kheda and Anand. The
district of Anand is divided in eight Talukas viz. Sojitra, Umreth, Tarapur, Anand, Petlad,
Borsad, Khambhat & Ankalav and 350 villages. Kheda is divided in 10 talukas viz.
Mehemdabad, Matar, Nadiad, Thasra, Balasinor, Kapadvanj, Virpur, Kheda, Kathlal &
Mahudha and 615 villages. The district of Anand & Kheda is spread over an area of 2940.31
sq. kms. and 3919.73 sq. kms. respectively. The total population in Anand District is
18,56,712 & that of Kheda is 20,23,354 persons.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
5
The sex ratio in Anand 910 women to 1000 men, which is lower than the state average
of 921. However, the sex ratio in Kheda district at 922 women to 1000 women can be
considered good when compared to the State average. The literacy ratio in both the
districts is good compared to the State ratio of 69.97%. The literacy ratio in these
districts is 74.95% & 72.71% in Anand & Kheda respectively. The literacy ratio among
males is 86% in both the districts and that among females is 62.54% in Anand District &
57.77% in Kheda district. The following table shows comparative details about the key
profile in the year 2001 and 1991. 44.81% (906640) of the total population in Kheda and
42.25% (784395) in Anand is working of which 36% & 32% are females.
ANAND
2001 1991
Population
Males 972355 858961
Females 884357 783654
1856712 1642615
Sex Ratio 910 912
Literacy ratio
Male 86.31 81.23
Female 62.54 53.38
74.95 67.92
Growth Rate 13.03 N.A.
% of urbanisation 27.34 25.17
Working Population as a % of
total Population (42.25%)
Males (55.20%) 536750 N.A.
Females (28.00%) 247645 N.A.
784395
KHEDA
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
6
2001 1991
Population
Males 1052869 928500
Females 970485 858294
2023354 1786794
Sex Ratio 922 924
Literacy Ratio
Male 86.58 79.83
Female 57.77 46.90
72.71 63.97
Growth Rate 13.24 N.A.
% of urbanisation 20.07 20.78
Working Population as a % of
total Population (44.81%)
Males (55.14%) 580586 N.A.
Females (33.60%) 326054 N.A.
906640
The total membership of SEWA in the District is 1,05,000 and all the members are the poor
workers from the informal economy.
Kheda and Anand, as such, belong to the comparatively more developed districts of Gujarat.
However, resources, wealth, and welfare are unequally distributed in favour of a small
group of big farmers and traders leaving a large part of the population dependent on fragile
livelihoods and in need of the most basic services.
Tobacco industry is one of the main economic activities of both districts and almost 80 % of
the tobacco in the country is produced in this Districts. Thus Tobacco industry is an
important source of income for poor agricultural labourers wherein more than 80 % of the
workers in the Districts survive on tobacco agriculture and tobacco processing. However the
employment opportunities of poor women in this sector is affected by a number of macro-
economic and technological developments which includes (a) increased mechanisation both
in the tobacco fields as well as in the processing units, (b) a larger influx of cheap, migrant
labour has caused an increase of the supply of labour simultaneously, (c) WHO and Indian
government has mounted an active anti-smoking campaign thereby reducing the demand for
tobacco.
Also decreasing tobacco prices have affected the small and marginal farmers in particular,
as these farmers do not have the capital to invest in proper storage facilities to store tobacco
until market prices goes up. Their situation is further exacerbated by increasing costs of
fertilizer, electricity, and water.
As a result the poor women members earn very low wages i.e only Rs. 10 – 20 / day despite
of hard work for 8-10 hours in a day. This makes survival very difficult and as a result,
many farmers are indebted and have been forced to mortgage their land to big farmers and
moneylenders.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
7
Apart from the problem of low and irregular work / employment, the poor workers in this
sector are facing various other problems such as (a) no identity of workers, (b) financial and
capacity problems such as poor access to basic financial services, (c) lack of land and space,
(d) poor knowledge of technical and economic issues and (e) lack of social security etc.
Summarizing the above, the women workers in the Kheda and Anand districts are facing a
situation with:
� High economic dependency of the tobacco industry (with low wages)
� Limited skills in other trades than the tobacco industry and low potentials for
alternative income generation.
� Being predominantly workers in the informal economy, they are in a vulnerable
situation with low level of protection and security at the workplaces and livelihood.
� Weakened bargaining position in the labour market.
As a response to this, SEWA started organizing in Kheda and Anand District in mid 80’s
and has till date organised 105120 women workers from 400 villages in 10 talukas, which
mainly comprises of agro and tobacco processors, small and marginal farmers, weavers,
nursery raisers, and vegetable growers. There distribution is as follows:
Taluka No. of Members
Kheda/Anand 26800
Anklav 12640
Borsad 10720
Petlad 11840
Sojitra 1160
Khambhat 6720
Umreth 880
Nadiad 12640
Thasra 9360
Matar 2280
Memdavad 1560
Maudha 440
Total 1,05,120
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
8
TRADE CATEGORIES NO. OF
MEMBERS
Vendors
Fruit & Vegetable Vendors 571
Cutlery seller 41
Other Vendors 101
Total Vendors 713
Producers & Service Providers
Agriculture 193
Animal Husbandry 749
Others (Includes book binding & Paper work,
plastic cement bags clean etc.)
86
Total Producers & Services 1028
Labour & Services
Agriculture Labour 86756
Tobacco Worker 13259
Casual Labour 1001
Others (Includes construction worker, cleaners,
domestic worker, fire-wood worker, soil worker
etc.)
424
Total Labour & Services 101440
Home-based Worker
Bidi Roller 548
Weaving 81
Garmnet Sticher 222
Bead Embroidery 34
Others (includes agarbatti roleer, bamboo worker,
broom maker, carpenter, rope maker, toy maker,
etc.)
1054
Total Nome-based Worker 1939
TOTAL 105120
SEWA initiated its activity with organising tobacco workers for regular employment and
minimum wages which included
� Liaisoning with Govt. / local authorities / employers,
� Inspection of tobacco processing units,
� Gramsabhas / village meetings / awareness among the members regarding rights,
collective bargaining, capacity buildings etc. / workers education classes,
� Provision of I-cards for the tobacco & bidi workers, and
� Facilitation in getting scholarship for children etc.
Given its experience and its reach and impact at the grassroot level in the rural areas in 1997
– 1998 SEWA was invited to conduct a survey by the Government of Gujarat for its Poverty
Alleviation Programme (PAP). This survey comprised of 700 villages situated in 9 districts
including Kheda and Anand. The survey was conducted to bring about infrastructural
changes in the villages in order to make each village an ideal self-sustainable village.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
9
During this survey along with the villages profile the family profiles were also filled in
which included (apart from the basic information) the details related to traditional arts &
occupations as well as willingness to undertake non-traditional economic activities.
Referring to the Kheda and Anand the above mentioned survey was conducted for 14489
community members from 112 villages. During this survey the demands and need for the
major occupations hat came out in the District were animal husbandry, nursery raising and
weaving.
Thus in its journey towards this and recognizing the needs SEWA also facilitated in
generation of alternate employment opportunities (weaving, nursery raising and vegetable
growing) and social security and related services for the poor workers from the informal
economy (childcare, health care, savings, insurance etc.)
4. The Kheda and Anand districts strategic plan (2008-2011)
The overall SEWA’s strategy in the districts is to organise women into a union and at the
same time create alternative employment for the women combined with social security
programs and capacity building. The strategy is based on the demand of its members– and is
developed in close cooperation with these.
The strategy has the following strategic elements:
� 1: Organisational and Institutional Development of SEWA
� 2: Tobacco campaign and organising
� 3: Capital formation and decreased economic vulnerability
� 4: Income Generating Activities & new skills and capacities
� 5: Increasing social security and reducing vulnerability
Major highlights from the same are as mentioned below.
As noted in Annex 2, the expected costs of the 3-years strategic plan amount to Rs. 56.8
million. Of this, SEWA will – with own funds - be able to contribute with Rs. 20.4 million
and will seek external funding for the remaining Rs. 36.4 million
Annex 1 provides an overview of the outputs and activities of the strategic plan. It does also
present the objectives and indicators, which describes the fulfilment of the activities. The
indicators will be a main part of the regular monitoring system.
4.1 Organisational and Institutional Development of SEWA.
As mentioned, today 105120 women workers from 400 villages in 10 talukas are members
of SEWA in the districts. It is expected that this will increase to 200000 members within the
three years of this strategic plan. This increase in membership puts a high demand on
developing SEWA as an organisation and its human resources. It also increased the needs
and potentials for cooperation with other institutions.
4.1.1 Organisational Development and Institutional Capacity Building
The strengthened capacity of the rural poor and their organizations is one of the strategic
objectives of SEWA. SEWA believes in the primacy of local ownership and knowledge.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
10
SEWA supports its members to organize into groups or co-operatives, so that they
themselves become the owners and managers of the programmes / organisations.
Figure 1 provides a diagrammatic overview of the organisational set-up of the SEWA
Kheda District Association (KDA) in the districts.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
11
FIGURE 1 - KHEDA DISTRICT ASSOCIATION - ORGANOGRAM
District Coordinator
Local Coordinator
(Tobacco, Nursery
Campaign, IT)
Local Coordinator
(Insurance, Childcare,
Savings & Credit and
Shanta Programme)
Local Coordinator
(Capacity Building
Trainings,
Jeevanshala,
Healthcare)
Organizers/
Spearhead Team
80:20
Organizers/
Spearhead Team
80:20
Organizers/
Spearhead Team
80:20
Organizers/
Spearhead Team
80:20
Aagewans
Aagewans
Aagewans
Aagewans
Local Coordinator
(Weaving,
Agriculture, Water
Campaign, Research
and Administration)
Team Leaders and
Organizers
Team Leaders and
Organizers
Team Leaders and
Organizers
Team Leaders and
Organizers
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
12
The role and function of the KDA, and its relation to SEWA are as specified below.
SEWA’s approach to rural organizing is area-specific and demand driven; the
communities themselves are the designers and implementers of all community-based
activities, under the leadership of SEWA’s members. SEWA helps women members in
rural communities build and operate their own organizations. By organizing themselves
into cooperatives and district level federations, the members develop collective bargaining
power and create for themselves alternative sources of employment, and thereby,
livelihood security for their families.
Thus District Associations are federation of poor women members owned and managed by
them. The district associations are headed by an elected Executive Committee of the
members with the District Coordinator acting as Secretary of the Association.
KDA is an association formed by members for chanelizing their collective efforts towards
achievement of full employment and socio-economic security. KDA is managed by
members through their elected representatives. KDA Executive Committee (Karobari) is
the district level body of members’ representatives. It has the role of a strategist planner
and monitoring resource for activities of KDA. This unit receives strategic inputs from
SEWA’s Rural Development Department. KDA strategic frame work follows the broad
guidelines and policies provided by SEWA. Also the activities of Kheda District
Association is more directed to employment creation and income generating and are
supported by SEWA to gain more sustainability and independence.
Programmes and activities being implemented in KDA area are in congruence with
SEWA strategy. To facilitate implementation, annual business plans are prepared. Budgets
are also used in programme/project planning and review. Before beginning of a new year,
KDA prepares and presents these plans before SEWA members at the Annual General
Meeting (AGM). Prior to this presentation, KDA teams at the grassroots level and the
Executive Committee invariably spend a lot of time and effort in preparation of business
plans and budgets, and their approval at the district-level.
Table 1 below provides an quantitative overview of the organisational structure and
capacity of SEWA in the districts and provides, where relevant, the target figures by 2011.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
13
Table 1: Quantitative overview of the organisational structure, today and by 2011
Parameter Status by
June 2007
Target
(June 2008)
Target
(Dec 2009)
Target
(June 2011)
Members
Members (total) 105000 125000 150000 200000
Members in SHGs 11068 14500 16500 17500
Members with income from
nurseries
120 70 80 120
Members with income from
weaving
75 105 120 140
Members participating in water
campaigns
12000 12000 12500 13500
Members with ID cards (tobacco,
bidi and Agriculture Workers)2
45000 45000 45000 45000
Members who has insurance 27000 42000 62000 92000
Members participating in life
schools
350 475 600 850
Children in Child Care 800 1000 1200 1300
No. of Members Children who
have received Scholarship
7000 7500 8000 8500
Members with assistance from
healthcare
30000 35000 40000 50000
Shanta Program : Shanta Women
Hamare Bachche
17
35
17
35
17
35
17
35
No. of members Associated with
Marketing of RUDI Products
125 150 175 225
No. of members covered under
Agricultural campaign
2000 5000 7000 12000
No. of Trade Representative
Members
508 625 750 1000
No. of active Trade Committee
Members
150 200 250 300
HRD
No. of village leaders 1200 1500 2000 3000
No. of village leaders with
education
50 %
literate but
mostly till
standard 3
50 %
literate but
mostly till
standard 3
50 %
literate but
mostly till
standard 3
50 %
literate but
mostly till
standard 3
No. of spearhead teams 100 110 125 150
No. of spearhead teams with
education
60 %
literate but
mostly till
standard 3
60 %
literate but
mostly till
standard 3
60 %
literate but
mostly till
standard 3
60 %
literate but
mostly till
standard 3
2 As regards to the I-card for the tobacco / agriculture workers, SEWA has done lot of efforts with the labour department for issuance of I-card to this workers. But now the labour department has stopped giving the I-cards, given the situation SEWA foresees that no more I-card would be issued during the period. Though SEWA plans to work on the same and work out other options through lobbying with the labour department.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
14
or standard
5
or standard
5
or standard
5
or standard
5
No. of members trained in
Members education 50000 52000 54000 56000
Leadership skills 1200 1500 2000 3000
Kadam 150 170 190 210
No. of staff 52 54 56 58
Trained staff in
Sustainability Approach 100 110 120 130
Planning and Monitoring 150 155 160 165
Costing 50 75 100 125
Marketing 150 215 275 340
Organisational and institutional
Number of Block in which SEWA
Works
10 11 12 13
Number of villages in which
SEWA Works
400 450 500 600
Number of villages “developed”
consolidated Villages*
129 134 139 144
Number of Village Resource
Centres
2 2 2 2
Number of HUB centres for RUDI
purchase
3 4 5 7
Water Committees / Kisan Vikas
Mandals
30 45 47 50
No. of SEWA supported Weaving
Centres
8 10 11 13
SEWA Supported Child Care
Centres
30 30 30 30
No. of Jeevan Shalas (Life School) 17 22 28 38
No. of SHGs 571 700 800 850
No. of Community Learning
Centres
5 5 5 5
Local advocacies with local
governments (which ones)
Labour Officer, Bidi Welfare Board, Workers Education
board, Collector, District Development Officer, DRDA,
DHO, DFO, Income Tax Deprtment, Charity Office,
Government Banks, Seed Corporation, Agriculture
Department, Land Development Division, Education
Department etc. * These are the villages wherein the infrastructure and related facilities are comparatively comparatively good. This
includes road connectivity, facilities for child care / schools, Primary Health Care Centres etc. Further this facilities
villages may be due to several efforts taken up by SEWA as presently atleast 4 activities of SEWA is in operation in
these villages. Further during this reporting period the District Association will also plan out and see how should hey
expand their reach so that more villages becomes developed consolidated villages.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
15
The list of direct / indirect individuals, organisational and institutions that are involved and
are co-operating for carrying out the activities of Kheda District Association is as
mentioned below. Also a brief on the SEWA’s concerns is included below
� SEWA and its District Association : Guidance in strategic, managerial as well
operational issues and expousure / experience sharing
� SEWA’s sister concerns : Following is the list of SEWA’s sister concern and
support provided by them – write a brief on each of the sister concerns
o SEWA Bank is registered and operates as a cooperative bank. The Bank functions
economically independently of SEWA and operates with independent books of
accounts and decision-making structures headed by the Managing Director.
SEWA bank facilitates with the micro-finances and related service to the poor
members of SEWA. It facilitates the District Association with the microfinance
and related services
o SEWA Academy is SEWA’s training and capacity building institution and the
major activities includes (a) Member education, (b) orientation training of
resource persons on SEWA’s principles, strategies and approaches; (c) media
resource development; and (d) research at field level to feed into and update the
training activities. Thus SEWA Academy supports SEWA to run various capacity
building and literacy programmes. It supports the training and capacity building
activity in the District.
o Mahila Housing SEWA Trust facilitates housing and related technical services to
the poor members of SEWA. It was set-up in 1994 to help women obtain housing
finance and technical services. It advises members on house construction with
many members accessing finance through SEWA Bank. It also works closely with
the Municipal Corporation in Ahmedabad to help poor neighbourhoods obtain
basic amenities and services like water, sanitation, street lights, garbage disposal,
etc. In the rural areas, the Housing Trust also assists in the implementation of the
government programmes for house construction for below poverty line families.
o SEWA Gram Mahila Haat provides marketing, technical and related services to the
small and marginal farmer members of SEWA. Started in 1999 with support from
the Gujarat Government it is a state level apex organization aims to eliminate
exploitive middlemen and provide direct technical, financial, and marketing
assistance to agriculture producers
o SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre facilitates in marketing. A Section 25 company
under Indian Companies Act. It is a unique (grassroot) commercial enterprise
formed by more than 15,000 rural artisan-shareholders from desert districts of
North Gujarat to overcome their impoverished condition through enhanced trade.
STFC has transformed their activity into a sustainable commercial viable
enterprise, providing full income and livelihood security to its shareholders
through effective integration with mainstream national and global markets.
o SEWA Manager’s School provides Managerial Capacity Building. It is set-up
with an objective to (a) empower members at the smallest level of organisation
within SEWA into “grass root leaders” through enhanced basic membership
training and (b) transform the intermediate level “spearhead leaders” into a cadre
of “barefoot managers” capable of training and managing individual and group
activities inside and outside of SEWA
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
16
o SEWA Social Security s running SEWA’s health care, child care and insurance
programmes
� Technical experts : Technical support in various specified fields eg. Agriculture –
Anand Agriculture University, Management Trainings / Education – Ahmedabad
Management Association, Healthcare and related trainings through VRC – Apollo
Hospitals, Computer and Related Trainings – Dharamsingh Desai Institute of
Technology etc.
� Local / regional / state / national level authorities and Legislative bodies: This
includes Labour Department, Bidi Welfare Board, Workers Education board,
Collector, District Development Officer, DRDA, DHO, DFO, Income Tax
Deprtment, Charity Office, Government Banks, Seed Corporation, Agriculture
Department, Land Development Division, Education Department, Primary Health
Centres etc.
� Partner organisations / agencies : In its journey of the development of the
informal economy workers Kheda District Association has partnered with various
national / international organisations, Government etc. for technical / financial
support. This includes LO-FTF, Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging FNV,
Banayan Tree Foundation, Community Aid Abroad (CAA), UNIFEM, Gujarat
State Government, Central Government of India etc. Since last 10 years LO/FTF of
Denmark and - FNV of Netherlands are among the major partners to Kheda District
Association.
� Factory Owners / Trade Owners / shop owners / Contractors
� Community members, Beneficiaries and Family members of beneficiaries
A study of the institutional capacity of SEWA in the Anand and Kheda districts were
recently undertaking. The study, which was supported by the organisation FNV,
Netherlands, were focusing on achieving efficient management of the activities undertaken
by the District including (a) implementation, (b) financial monitoring (c) financial &
physical reporting and (d) performance measurement/evaluation.
The study provided a set of recommendations on strategic planning, M&E, human
resources and trainings needs, finance and accounting, and IT development, which SEWA
in general agreed to. With reference to the above recommendations with support from
current FNV Programme trainings for (a) Human Resource Management & Systems (8
participants) and (b) Strategic Planning & Control Systems (10 participants) is planned.
Partly as a response to the study, SEWA have started a process in which SEWA is seeking
to become more cost-efficient and sustainable. The major efforts taken up in this context
are as mentioned below.
KDA adopted a new strategy in 2006 in re organising the work. The karyakartas now look
after all the activities of a cluster. This is very different from the earlier arrangement of
having different karyakartas for different activities. Each taluka is broken into clusters of 4
to 6 villages, depending on member-size or number of activities. Each karyakarta is
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
17
assigned a cluster, wherein she looks after all the activities of the particular cluster.
Besides this, activity-wise teams look after a specific activity throughout the districts.
It is experienced that the new arrangement has led to cost cutting up to 40 percent
especially in travel bill. It is expected that the organisers’ capacity will also be built as
they now supervise all the activities to be carried out in their particular allotted clusters.
Training programmes on monitoring have been conducted under the new structure so that
the team leaders and organizers understand the proceedings of all activities. Regular
meetings and review have helped them in becoming aware of all kinds of activity.
Also the District Association is progressing towards the sustainability of the community
members and the groups. This especially includes the members associated with the
alternate employment support / income generating activities eg. the members engaged in
nursery raising and weaving are over a period of time withdrawn certain type of support
and are now carrying out their activities on their own with an handholding support from
KDA with respect to revolving fund and marketing.
Within the coming 3-years strategic plan, SEWA plans – partly with point of departure in
the findings of the institutional assessment study - to continue to upgrade its organisational
capacity in the Kheda and Anand districts through a need assessment of operational
strategic planning, monitoring (and financial management and reporting) on response to
growing membership, development of MIS (Management Information System), related
trainings and its implementation, installation of IT and related infrastructure. Also a
number of strategic and managerial trainings event, workshops and meeting for the human
resources are involved. These are presented below:
� Capacity Building Trainings (strategic and managerial)
o HRMS - 10 members
o Finance and Accounting – 10 members
o Marketing Sales and Distribution System – 10 members
o Strategic planning and Control – 10 members
� Vision Development Workshop
� Spearhead team Meetings (no cost as this would be covered in the honorarium to
spearhead)
4.1.2 Human Resource Development
SEWA believes that the sustainability and self reliance of any programme or organization
fundamentally depends on the capacity of its managers and leaders. Therefore, SEWA
works on the capacity building of cadres of local managers and establishing committees.
These are presented below (see table 1 for numbers):
Leadership training
� Aagewans (leaders) is the one who brings others forward”. In the process of
organizing its members SEWA conducts Gramsabha in each village several times
followed by ‘Members Education’ training. During the gramsabhas, the village
community themselves elects their leaders i.e Agewans from all the members from a
particular village. During the selection of Agewans, it is taken care that certain
qualities i.e (a) pro activeness, (b) understand their area, members, issues and needs;
(c) commitment & dedication for her community, (d) willing to know and share with
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
18
the community members for their benefit, (e) unselfishness, (g) willingness to work
and take responsibilities etc. are in existence / seen during the various forums like
gramsabha, meetings etc. An agewan may or may not be a literate but should be from
among the local community members with above qualities. To strengthen their
leadership qualities SEWA trains them. Aagewan is the bridge between members and
the organization. Aagewan share out the new things with the members and community
and conveys needs and problems of villagers to the organization. Success of the
organization depends upon how good aagewans it has.
� Spearhead Team Members are on the core position for the implementation of any
activity at grassroot level. The members are given grade once they have undergone
members education training. The members who have received ‘A’ Grade are elected to
undergo ‘SEWA Movement Training’ which covers (a) introduction of SEWA, (b)
detail information of SEWA’s activities, (c) economic condition of a woman, (d)
importance of savings, (d) gandhian philosophy, (e) drawing competition, (f) structure
of SEWA, (g) roles and responsibilities of Agewan, (h) video replay, (i) identity, (j)
leadership development, (k) women empowerment. Based on the results of SEWA
Movement training a person who is having more capabilities are converted in
spearhead team leaders from agewan. The spearhead team members are grassroots
aagewans (Leaders), who develop their knowledge skills. Each spearhead team has
aagewans and local SEWA organizers in the ratio of 80:20 respectively, who take
charge of all of SEWA’s activities. Their management skills are also enhanced through
planned capacity-building inputs.
� Trade Representatives (Pratinidhis) are the elected representatives (1 for every 400
members). The election takes place every 3 years. ‘Pratinidhi’ is a link between the
members and management. They are responsible for motivating members to take over
and run local women organization in the villages. A monthly meeting of the
‘Pratinidhis’ from different districts is held in which the representatives, leaders and
organizers discuss and exchange experiences and develop a shared vision for every
year. Different issues like rights and duties of members, philosophy, approach and
importance of SEWA, its activities, marketing, quality management, globalisation etc.
are taken care.
� DWCRA Leaders are the leaders of group formed under governments DWCRA
(Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) Programme, launched in 1982
as part of the Integrated Rural Development program (IRDP) with an aim to empower
rural women living below the poverty line (BPL) by way of organizing them to create
sustainable income generating activities through self-employment. In SEWA under
DWCRA programme, the women’s groups were formed and registered with the
District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).
� Savings Group Leaders : SEWA members’ form SHG of 15 to 20 members. Each
SHG has 2 leaders. Each SHGs select their own leaders. During the selection it is
taken care that the selected member possess certain qualities including (a) leadership,
(b) unbiased of cast and creed, (c) ability to handle meetings, (d) enough flexibility to
go out of the village for work etc.
Committees
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
19
� Trade Committees is elected by and from among the aagewans of the different districts
in different trade. The number of trade committee members is elected based on various
factors which are (a) number of members in the village, (b) age group of the members,
(c) trade of the members and (d) community of the members. The trade committees are
elected for 124 different trades. This elected trade committee members represents each
of the SEWA members engaged in different trades.
� Executive Committee is elected from amongst the elected ‘Pratinidhi’ members,
depending on the membership strength of each trade group. SEWA’s executive
committee has 25 members, of which 21 are from the elected members and 4 are
nominated members. SEWA’s Executive Committee is also elected every three years.
An executive committee has a president and 3 vice presidents. SEWA has a tradition
that the trade having highest member can have president from their trade. The
executive committee of SEWA meets every month. Their major role is to plan, review,
discuss, and evaluate the functions as per the plan. Where at first step planning is a
very crucial factor to lead the organisation’s activities as per its vision and mission. So
it is very essential to have capacity building training of the EC.
� Village Development Committee are formed to implement the village plans prepared
as per the demands / needs of the community. VDC is responsible and are directly
involved in the training and management of the activities to be implemented under the
community services. VDC members will be the one who will plan and take decision
for the village development activities to be done from the funds of the village
development account. SEWA District Associations arrange for selection of the
members of VDC in gramsabha. In this way the community themselves appoint the
members from their village who they think are (a) able to take the responsibilities, (b)
have co-ordinating abilities and (c) successful in implementation. The VDC usually
comprises 10 members of which 8 should be women. However, procedures and
number of members can be decided on a case-to-case basis. The office bearers of the
VDC would comprise the chairperson, secretary and treasurer. The Village
Development Committee forms the contact point between SEWA District Associations
and the village.
This cadre of local leaders and managers play an increasingly important role in the
implementation of the Programmes of SEWA. The implementation capacity of the SEWA
movement has grown tremendously over a period of time. The emerging spearhead teams
and cadre of grassroots leaders forms an important contribution to the growth towards
sustainability and self-reliance of the SEWA movement in Anand and Kheda. For
instance, trained spearhead team leaders are conducting training programs to members
without any support from the SEWA organisers. Further the capacity building and the
active involvement also increases the self-confidence of the grass root women. It is
expected that the leaders will train 300 numbers of members in SEWA movement courses.
Another cost-efficient and impact-enhancing effort, that SEWA has implemented in recent
years is the establishment of 2 Village Resource Centres (VRCs) in the District with the
main objective to facilitate knowledge sharing on the IT initiatives planned by the state
and central governments, corporates and others. It is also sought to create a platform to
facilitate the involvement of civil society and community-based organisations in these
interventions so that the benefits of ICTs reach every village.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
20
VRCs are envisaged as single window delivery mechanism for a variety of space based
products and services, such as tele-education, tele-medicine, information on natural
resources for planning and development at local level, interactive advisories on
agriculture, fisheries, land and water resources management, livestock management, etc,
interactive vocational training towards alternative livelihood, e-governance, weather
information, etc. VRCs will also address a variety of social aspects locally, and can act as
help-lines.
Capacity building and related trainings has played an important role for the human
resource development of SEWA over a period of year. Considering the growth and
sustainability aspects of the District Association, certain capacity building trainings to the
cadre of leaders is envisaged during the planning period. The details of the same are as
follows.
� Trainings to 250 trade representatives
� SEWA Movement and Leadership trainings to 300 leaders
� Operation of 2 Village Resource Centre (VRC) and purchase of Equipment for the
same
� Session / Training through VRC on telemedicine, NRM, e-education and e-
governance - 15 sessions / month and 25 members would participate in each
session
� Trainings for Preparation of Solar Light (7 days trg. to 10 members)
4.2 Tobacco Campaign and organising
On its journey of organising the poor workers from the informal economy; SEWA was
also working for the welfare of bidi workers in Ahmedabad City. Working towards this
and working for the issues related to the bidi workers, it came out that chronic issues exist
among tobacco agriculture / processing workers. Given the fact that more than 80 % of the
Tobacco is produced in the district of Kheda and Anand district, SEWA initiated
organising women tobacco workers in Districts in the mid 1980s.
SEWA continued its efforts for the poor workers in the district and this was done through
educating the workers in classes as well as gatherings, meetings with owners, liaisoning
and co-ordination with Government etc. Some of the important activities which occurred
with SEWA / District Association’s intervention for the development of the poor tobacco
agricultural / processing workers included:
� Organising approximately 500 Workers education classes in which around 17500
to the members wherein members are educated on various information with respect
to their trade and their rights and benefits they should get as a workers eg. I-card,
daily wages etc. This also worked as a platform to bring out the issues pertaining to
workers at their work place. Moreover the effect of the same is seen in the whole
village
� Issuance of more than 45000 I-cards to bidi workers, tobacco workers and
agriculture workers. The I-cards are important to the workers as they get the legal
identity and helps them in getting their rights.
� Improvement of socio-economic conditions of the workers through SEWA’s effort
for the tobacco processing workers which included maintainence of records and
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
21
registers, regular payment of salaries, leave details, bonus, employers contribution
on completion of the workers tenure, contribution of the factory owners in SEWA
operated child care centres etc. Also SEWA facilitated for the improvement in the
Socio Economic conditions of the workers through its Social Security programmes
i.e. health care, childcare, housing.
� Regular inspection in tobacco processing units and tripartite negotiations with the
tobacco industry and government organisations. As a result the minimum daily
wages has increased from Rs 10-12 to Rs. 40 – 50, and the influx of migrant
workers have decreased.
� Facilitation in getting scholarship of Rs. 42 lacs for educating more than 7000
children of the workers
These activities have improved the socio-economic situations of the tobacco workers and
their children substantially, both through increased and more stable income, and through
increased social security (scholarships, i-cards etc.)
As a result, SEWA plans to continue this campaign in the coming years for the betterment
of tobacco agriculture and processing workers. During the period of this strategic plan,
SEWA will continue its campaign and strive towards increased wages / income and social
security for 50.000 agriculture and tobacco processing workers in the districts. It is the
hope that minimum wages of these workers will be raised / maintained to Rs. 60 - OK /
day by the end of the period. In addition, scholarship to 1000 Children will be the results.
The activities proposed to achieve the above are as mentioned below.
� Trade council Meetings – Monthly – 300 participants
� Organising 300 Village Meetings for Organising
� Trade Committee Meetings – Monthly - 150 members
� 18 Tripartite / block meetings with employers
The activities, with a budget will mainly be carried out by an organiser, a team leader and
10 spearhead team members
4.3 Capital formation and decreased economic vulnerability
Given the members are poor workers from the informal economy, day to day survival
itself is a disaster for such members. Furthermore they are the one who are most affected
from the manmade as well as natural disaster and does not have any ownership in their
own name. Thus at the times of disaster and fulfilment of their needs they have to depend
on the money lenders / traders who charges very high rate of interest and as a result they
cannot get out of the trap of the money lenders / traders. Considering this SEWA started
savings and credit activities in the members to provide support, security and provide
protection to poor members against risk and disaster.
Presently around 11000 –members of the District are organised in 571 savings groups and
the total yearly savings amounts to Rs. 75 – 80 lacs (750-800.000). The District
Association plans to consolidate and extend its reach in below mentioned manner.
� Opening of 279 new Self Help Groups (SHG) thus totalling 850 SHGs with 25.000
members.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
22
� Credit Facilities to to additional 3000 members totalling to Rs. 30 millions for
trade, agriculture, housing, animal husbandry, education, medical, land, to pay old
debts. The credit will be provided to (a) Khedu Mandals (farmers groups) at village
level, based on the need of the farmers’ group and (b) the individual members for
building pucca houses considering the fact that since last three years Kheda and
Anand districts are facing continuous floods and their houses are damaged due to it.
� 10.000 members will join integrated social protection mechanism3.
� In addition, it is also estimated that the members will save an amount of Rs. 1
million as Livelihood Security Fund. This fund is saved by the members wherein a
nominal amount per month is taken aside from their livelihood and is then utilised
during the disaster, when they have to invest for reviving their livelihoods.
In order to achieve this, the following activities are planned during the period.
� Capacity Building
• Members education – 4000 members of new SHGs will be trained
• Leader’s training- 18 trainings will be given 400 members on Formation of SHGs,
“How to run SHGs”, Role of leaders, Book keeping, credit management, How to
make group self reliant
• Spearhead team trainings – Total 6 trainings and 120 members on how to prepare
loan document, interest calculation, group management, Annual meeting of SHGs
• Association Trustee’s trainings- 9 trainings
� Meetings
• Monthly meeting of trustees
• Annual General Meeting of District Association
It is budgeted that the cost of carrying out the activities would be around Rs. 7,000,000/-
against which inflow from interest spread from different category loans and other related
income would be Rs. 7,89 millions in the three years (2008-2011). Thus the operational
and management cost of this activity would be covered by the same. A brief calculations
for the same are as mentioned below.
3 Under this an arrangement is done in such a integrated manner that a member saves for membership fee
and is linked with Savings , Insurance, Livelihood Security Fund (LSF).
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
23
Particulars Year I Year II Year III
6% intreset spread on outstanding loan of Rs
90,00,000 in year I; 10000000 in Year II and
Year III
5,40,000 6,00,000 6,00,000
New loan at zero percentage Rs 5000000 in
Year I and II; and 7000000 in Year III
10,50,000 10,50,000 14,70,000
New loan at 10% interest Rs 4500000 in
Year I & II and 3000000 in Year III
4,95,000 4,50,000 3,30,000
New loan at 15% interest Rs 2000000 in Year
I; 3000000 in Year II and 5000000 in Year III
1,20,000 1,80,000 3,00,000
Hall Rent 25,000 25,000 25,000
Service Charge 1,20,000 1,50,000 2,00,000
Interest Income 40,000 40,000 50,000
Entrance Fees 10,000 5,000 5,000
Total 2.400.000 2.500.000 2.980.000
4.4 Income Generating Activities & new skills and capacity building
As mentioned earlier, SEWA has experienced that employment threat was one of the
major issues among the tobacco agriculture / processing workers. In addition the majority
of the members are agriculture workers, who do not count on a sustainable source of
income. Given this SEWA started working towards the generation of alternate
employment opportunities (IGAs). Considering the situation in the district and the existing
skills among the members SEWA has facilitated its members with a number of alternate
employment generation activities. The major among them have been weaving and nursery
but are now expanded to other IGAs.
One of the central points of the SEWA strategy is therefore to impulse the generation of
other income activities (IGA), among others through upgrading of skills and capacity
building. The following IGAs are the most important ones, which will be promoted in the
districts:
� RUDI processing centres/HUBS
� Agricultural campaigns
� Weaving
� Nursery raising, and
� Waste paper pickers.
The content of those are described below:
4.4.1 Setting up of RUDI Processing Centre and 3 Processing HUBS
RUDI is a rural distribution network that comprises procurement, processing, packaging
and marketing of food grains at the local level. In 2004, SGMH with support from
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
24
Grassroots Trading Network (GTN)4 and Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL), an Indian
subsidiary of Unilever, established a Rural Distribution Network (RUDI) with an idea to
(a) internally rotate scarce funds of the rural producers in a way that fetches maximum
benefit and brings about positive changes in their lives and to provide multi-user facilities,
(b) reduce incidental expenses and build-up an integrated value chain in order to enhance
the efficiency of agricultural activities, (c) reduce the hardships by the producers,
processors and to create multiple employment opportunities and (d) link the producers
directly to the consumers. A pilot was initiated in 90 villages of the Sabarkantha district of
Gujarat with very promising results. Accordingly, SEWA is planning to expand RUDI to
all the districts, in which SEWA is working.
In the Kheda and Anand districts, SEWA plan to set up 1 processing and 3 hub centres,
which will link poor and marginal farmers within the districts. The effects of this are
various: 1) an estimated 150 poor women will be engaged in marketing leading to daily
income of Rs. 50 / day, 2) both SEWA and non-SEWA members will be able to purchase
the products at a lower price locally and 3) the producers (of which some also are
members of SEWA), will obtain a secure and stable markets.
To achieve this, the District association plans the following activities during the period.
� Setting up of processing and hub centres and Purchase of Equipments and
Infrastructure
� Related trainings – Purchasing, quality, Sales, Accounts and Record Keeping,
Management, Costing
� Provision of Seed Capital and Marketing and Promotion Expenses
4.4.2 Agriculture Campaign
The profile of informal economy agriculture workers consists of both producers as well as
workers in all other agriculture-allied activities. It has been very well experienced that
these farmers faces various difficulties and come across various processes which makes
them more vulnerable. This includes (a) increasing cost of inputs, (b) lack of access to
credit, (c) insecure profits, (d) increased dependence on chemical fertilizers, (e)
environmental degradation, (f) non-availability of standardization in quality of seeds and
government certification, (g) increased competition, (h) infrastructure constraints which
includes lack of access to technology, absence of adequate irrigation facilities, inadequate
transportation and storage facility for collection and procurement, non-availability of
modern tools and equipments etc.; (i) lack of technical awareness, (j) lack of market
access, (k) decrease in demand for labour due to increasing mechanization of farming,
change in cropping pattern etc. ; (l) increase in contract labour, (m) no recognisation of
women’s role, (n) health hazards etc.
4 GTN - An international network set-up initiated by SEWA and SEWA Trade Facilitation Center for the Grassroots
Producers Organisations (GPOs) in various developing countries. GTN in India is a deemed company registered under
Section 25 of Indian companies Act, owned by GPOs. The 2 major capabilities of GTN are (1) Creating linkages and (2)
facilitating trade. GTN in India is incorporated in the current year i.e. 2004 and will be expanded across Asia, moving
into Latin America in year 3 and Africa in year 6 of its operation.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
25
To address the above needs SEWA started the ‘Agriculture Campaign’ in co-ordination
with its district association and sister organisation. This included also a campaign in the
Kheda and Anand districts as well. The objectives of the agriculture campaign are various,
namely (a) to better understand the issues of marginal, landless farmers and women in
agriculture, (b) to identify the types of safeguards needed (c) to provide economic security
to agricultural workers, (d) to bring them into the mainstream of development in
agriculture with regards to globalization and free market system and (e) to develop
strategic interventions to make agriculture a sustainable livelihood option.
As a part of this campaign the Kheda District Association plans the following during the
given period.
� Formation of Kisan Vikas Mandal (Groups) – 5 new groups would be formed (7
already exists). This group would be trained and the capacities would be built in
such a manner that they would take care of all the issues with respect to Natural
Resource Management in an integrated manner. This would include awareness
creation and education for water and hygiene related activities, agriculture –
technical knowledge, direct market linkages and increase in productivity and
products.
� Organise 72 Gramsabhas meetings
� Co-ordination monthly meetings with Government Officials
� Monthly Capacity building Meetings at SGMH
� Provision of linkages for certified seeds and fertilizers to 250, 300 and 400
members in 1st , 2nd and 3rd years
� Provision of Credit facilities to 500 members
� Provision of market linkages to 100 farmers through Krishi bazar
� 18 seasonal crops trainings to 540 members
� Monthly trade committee meetings to 30 members
� 18 Co-ordination meetings with SGMH
It is estimated that around 2500 poor small and marginal farmers will be able to reap the
benefit of SEWA’s agriculture campaign which would include (a) technical and scientific
knowledge of production leading to increased and quality produces, (b) market knowledge
and information to 150 such small and marginal farmers, which would further facilitate in
getting the fair prices of their produces and direct linkages to the market thereby
eliminating the middlemen, (d) credit facilities 200 such farmers which would save them
from the indebtness of the private money lenders and leading to increase in their
livelihood, (e) certified seeds to 300 members etc.. Through all the above the income of
poor farmers and the agriculture labourers would increase and thereby would lead them
towards the increased & sustainable livelihood; and asset building.
4.4.3 Weaving
SEWA discovered that many tobacco workers were traditional weavers and had
handlooms in their houses. SEWA took on the responsibility of identifying around 1000
weavers and reviving weaving as an alternative form of employment.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
26
Presently SEWA is facilitating the operations of 8 weaving centres in 7 villages and
supports 77 weavers. 35 of these are able to earn a stable income of Rs. 2000 – 2500 a
month. Others are presently undergoing training. The weavers are supported with training
of improved weaving techniques, colour combinations, skill upgradation etc. Apart from
this the District Association also facilitates the weavers with marketing and related aspects
as well as their capacity building.
Following SEWA’s integrated approach after taking up the weaving activity in the villages
an effort is made that the benefits of SEWA interventions in various areas are reaped by
the poor community members in this villages eg. the poor community members in the
villages are linked with various SEWA’s Programmes that may be social security,
agriculture campaign, microfinance etc. Thus the spread of SEWA’s membership in these
villages is not limited to the weavers but has been widened over a period of time.
The District Association plans to open 2 new training centres yearly and provide support
to 45 new members under its weaving Programme. In addition, support will be provided to
the existing members of the 8 weaving centres in their effort of moving towards
sustainability.
The activities planned for the same are as mentioned below.
� Operationalisation of a total of 14 centres
� 8 centres will start production which will benefit around 75 weaver members
� Visits to training centres – 60 visits
� Skill upgradation training for a total of 6 new centers from the 10 villages viz.
Khambhat, Sasaj, Santokpura, Fangdi, Demol, Bochasan, Dabhasi, Gangadiya,
Changa and Vaso which will cover 90 members – 6 new centres and 15 members in
each centre will total to 90 members.
� Meeting with Weaver on quality control, selling, marketing, production at district
level 12 meetings in 3 years
� Trade committee meeting – monthly - 20 members
� Coordination with Government authorities - DRDA 36 meetings in 3 years
� Coordination with Handloom corporation, SGMH, STFC total 36 meetings in three
years
� Market promotion, exhibitions and related efforts for marketing the products
The weavers in the district were supported earlier through SEWA and its LO/FTF
Programme running in the district and this has helped in building the capacities of the
weavers. In the strategic plan, all the 8 centres which are presently run in the district will
be taken on production basis and will be doing the production with own revolving the
borrowed/own funds. The production plan and related details for the same is as mentioned
below. 4 types of products will be weaved from yarn and the details for the same are as
follows.
Cost of Production
Products Production (In
Number)
Yarn utilized
in production
(In Kgs)
Yarn Rate
(In Rs.)
Wages to
weavers
(In Rs,)
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
27
Sari 6060 3030 636300 303000
Bed sheet 24460 9784 1223000 391360
Towel 15600 3510 438750 156000
Napkins 6000 300 37500 18000
Total 16624 2335550 868360
Inflow from Selling
Products Production (In
Number)
Selling Rate
(In Rs.)
Selling Amt
(In. Rs.)
Sari 6060 200.00 1212000
Bed sheet 24460 90.00 2201400
Towel 15600 35.00 546000
Napkins 6000 12.00 72000
Total 52120 4031400
Cost of Production
Yarn Cost 2335550
Wages to Weavers 868360
Total 3203910
Inflow from Selling
Selling calculated
at 60% of total
production
2418840
Considering the above calculations it is assumed that if 60 % of revenues comes from the
produce products during the month Rs. 2418840 would be revolved in the groups while
the remaining amount of Rs. 785070 would be supported from the borrowed funds.
In addition to this, market support and related linkages would be facilitated to them by the
District Association.
Further to this it has been decided that a different method of production will be tried on a
pilot basis. Under this it has been planned out that the process of weaving would be
splitted into 2 teams, wherein 1 team would be involved in the process before putting it on
a loom which 1 team would be involved in doing the weaving on the loom. It is estimated
that this would save time as the team would be splitted depending on the person’s
expertise and would further result into increased production.
4.4.4 Nursery Raising
Kheda district has relatively good supply of water and the land is fertile. SEWA therefore
promoted nursery raising as an alternative employment. Technical trainings for raising
saplings were given to members by linkages with Agriculture Universities. Market
facilitation for the nurseries raised is also been provided by the District Association.
Government Forest Department is also approached to link the members for allocation of
nurseries to its members. Presently more than 100 women have obtained steady work from
this activity and raise saplings of fruit, non-fruit and decorative plants. These members are
able to earn Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2500 per month during the season through nursery raising.
Also 2 members are raising nursery by getting the allotment from Forest Department and
are able to earn Rs. 3000 / month during the season.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
28
Apart from the above 4 Groups comprising of 40 members (including 10 members of
Devpura village wherein the land has been allotted by the Gram Panchayat to the members
through SEWA’s effort) are involved in nursery raising, vermicompost, seed collection,
vegetable growing, floriculture, preparation of by-products wherein the handholding
support such as Bags, seeds, accounting regular meetings etc. is facilitated by the District
Association. Through this the members are able to earn Rs. 9000 – 10000 / group as well
as Rs. 1500 – 2000 / member during the season.
Given this the District Association plans to continue the support to the members in the
district through this activity for achieving alternate employment. In addition, support to
extra 90 members from 3 villages is being planned during the period. Here each of women
would raise 5000 saplings.
In order to achieve this, the following activities will be implemented.
� Survey in 15 villages, which would be with respect to selection of members, land
availability for raising nursery, connectivity / availability of market etc. as every
year 3 new villages need to be included during the period and thus the above survey
in 5 villages in each year is estimated to be conducted
� 7 new villages will be included in Nursery Raising activities and 90 women will be
trained and each of this women would raise 5000 saplings in each year
� Purchase of bags, seeds, fertilizers, drugs etc. for 150000 saplings in each year
� Grafting training – 20 members
� Trade committee meeting - monthly
� Set up a new sales centre for marketing of nurseries
� Coordinate with District Rural Department and Forest Department.
The existing members involved in nursery raising will plant and nurture the saplings on
their own and the District Association will facilitate in providing linkages to them for
technical trainings, marketing etc. Also the new members involved in nursery raising
would not be supported with the wages for the nurseries raised. They will only be
supported with bags, seeds, fertilizers etc.
4.4.5 Waste Paper Picker
The poor women members earning their livelihood by collecting the waste paper have
formed their own co-operatives. The members of the co-operative are engaged in
collecting waste paper pickers and they are liaisoning with the offices also for collection
of waste paper. Presently 51 members are associated with the group but this 10 members
are regularly earning their livelihood of Rs. 400 / month through this.
In the strategic plan, it is estimated that 15 members of the co-operative would be
supported with the livelihood through paper pickers co-operative. It is estimated that this
members would earn an estimated income of Rs. 600 / month. The activities planned for
the same mainly includes meetings with the government and non-government agencies, as
mentioned below.
� 24 meetings with Government and non-government agencies
The focus of the above meetings would be basically for collection of the waste papers
from various governmental / non-governmental agencies. Further this meeting would be a
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
29
step for increasing the income of this members / association of regular work to more
members.
The budgeted cost to be incurred for carrying out this activity will be done by the co-
operative in co-ordination with the District Association.
4.5 Increasing social security and reducing vulnerability
The poor women workers are almost entirely informal economy workers and are - as a
consequence of this – in an often extreme vulnerable situation with limited social security
safety nets.
As mentioned, one of the main strategic elements of the overall SEWA strategy, and also
the Kheda and Anand district strategy, is to reduce the vulnerability of the SEWA
members to man-made and natural shocks and disasters and to increase their social
security. To that end, the following activities are included in the strategic plan:
� Water Campaign
� Health Care
� Child Care Centres
� Insurance Schemes
� Rehabilitation of Riots affected Widows, and
� Jeevan Shala (Life schools).
The content of those are described below:
4.5.1 Water Campaign
The poor members of the districts continuously experience water related problems, such as
water-borne diseases. Given this fact, SEWA and its water campaign team has facilitated
in solving the issues related to water problems. A number of gramsabhas meetings have
been held in more than 100 villages and the water campaign teams have worked to make
clean water available at poor peoples’ doorstep and have provided servicing and repair of
hand pumps for them. SEWA’s district association in Kheda and Anand has also
organized trainings related to use of water in association with the Gujarat Water Supply
Board.
Presently, the water campaign activities are undertaken in 3 blocks. This includes (a)
organising rallies, street plays etc.; (b) maintenance and repair of hand pumps, (c) capacity
building of members and water committees, (d) formation of Kisan Vikas Mandal under
integrated campaign for water, forestry and agriculture and (e) awareness trainings.
Within the strategic plan, the district association will continue this campaign and continue
the activities related to awareness creation (in context of water and hygiene related issues).
It is estimated that a total of 5000 school children and 8000 community members will
direct benefit from this. In order to achieve this, the following activities are planned.
� Organise 8 Rallies in each year to create awareness on Water and Hygeine related
issues
� Education in 10 Schools in each year for awareness creation on water and hygiene
related issues
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
30
The District Association with support from SEWA and its Programmes has built-up a
cadre of water technician, who are engaged in hand pump repairing through contracts with
the Gujarat Government. Hand pump repairing has directly created stable jobs to 25 – 35
members. It is foreseen that these water technicians will continue the same with support
from the district association.
In addition, the capacity building of the village water committees, which have been carried
out over a period of time, has given the result that the Committee members are now able to
solve the water related issues on their own. Therefore, no extra investments are being
included during this coming period.
4.5.2 Health Care
Based on the members demand and the occupational health hazards prevailing among he
poor tobacco agriculture and processing workers; SEWA initiated primary training
concerning their health. This was also done in the view that although Government PHCs
exist in the district, the benefits of the same were not reachable to the poor community
members. Thus SEWA advocated with such PHCs as targeting the poor community
members also. The trained grassroot leaders of SEWA are engaged in the same.
Other SEWA health care programmes are:
� SEWA in association with District Association in Kheda and Anand has conducted
general, gynaecological and children’s health camps in the district to reach more
members.
� SEWA has linked her health care programme with the government immunization
programme.
� SEWA has built-up the capacity of its health cooperatives and midwives
cooperative in the district to make them accessible to as many members as possible
and for the safe deliveries of the community members. Efforts are on to link this
midwives to the Government Programmes. Under this, the District Association in
co-ordination with SEWA also facilitates the members in providing low cost
medicines.
In the strategic plan, the above programmes will be continued. Apart from the linkages
with the Government scheme and programmes it is also planned to establish linkages with
the local hospitals for providing health security to the poor members. It is envisaged that
5000 – 6000 members will be covered under the health Programme.
In order to achieve this, the following activities are planned.
� Linkages with Local Hospitals
o Organising Camps – 12 in each year – 4000 – 4500 members would be
linked
o Monthly Meeting
o 1500 TB patients would be linked with PHCs
� Capacity building of 25 spearhead Team members
� Co-ordination meetings with hospital (monthly)
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
31
4.5.3 Child Care Centres
At SEWA it is well understood that without childcare, including child development, its
goal of full employment and self-reliance will remain unfulfilled. Working mothers cannot
take their children to their workplaces without jeopardizing their own work efficiency and
their children’s safety. SEWA believes that women’s struggle to emerge out of poverty
through the quest for work and income security, must be supported by quality childcare.
SEWA’s childcare programme emerged in mid 1970 from the needs expressed by its
members. At present 115 childcare centers are being operated for the SEWA’s rural and
urban members i.e. poor women workers employed in the informal sector economy. These
centers are managed by co-operatives of childcare providers, which have been formed
with SEWA’s support. 30-35 children starting from the age of 0-6 years are served at each
of this centres and focuses on the overall development of the children, including their
physical and intellectual growth.
Similar to this SEWA’s district association in Kheda / Anand focuses on capacity building
of a child care cooperative to manage the programme at the district level. 1200 children
benefited from the 30 child care centers run in the District.
This child care centres play a very important role in the life of poor workers from the
informal economy as this are the centres of their own kind i.e. (a) it serves the children for
the whole day that to as per the working hours of the poor women members from the
informal economy and (b) cater services to the children as small as 15 days old. From the
work experience of three decades in the Childcare Programme, the following major
impacts have been seen.
� Due to the operation of the child care centres the children of the poor women from
the informal economy are protected from various diseases as they do not have to
accompany their mothers at the unhealthy work-place or they are not just roaming
around.
� The child care centres assures the workers from the informal economy that their
children are taken good care of and thus they could go for work which amounts to
increase in income. Further to this their productivity also increases and they can
also do qualitative work
� Children who have been in SEWA childcare centres value learning and education.
� The overall development of the children, who attends the child care centres are
much better compared to others.
� The meetings with mothers etc. educates the mothers on how to take care of the
children when they are at home and also briefs them on the various aspects related
to cleanliness and nutrition which further helps the development of their children
This shows that SEWA’s Childcare Programme not only provides safe childcare for
working mothers, but also lays a strong foundation for the sound physical and intellectual
growth of the children who are involved in it.
Within the strategic plan, the District association will continue the successful operation of
30 child care centres during the planned period. It is estimated that 1200 children will be
taken care of, be provided with nutritious food and supported with medical check-up. In
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
32
order to run this Programme in an efficient manner, the following activities are planned
during the period.
� Approximately 1200 children will be taken care at the Centres and benefited by
nutritious food
� Medical check up for 1200 children
� Celebration of Festivals during year – Kite flying, Holi, Janmashtami, Christmas,
Independence day, Rakhi festival, Nutritious food Week etc.
SEWA is working towards making the child care programme sustainable and to create the
awareness among the community members so that they will contribute towards the
operation of such child care centres (which is for the development of their children and
will also lead them towards the increase in their livelihood). The community members’
mindset is in the process of accepting this. Based on this, the District Association has
expecting to receive contribution from the parents, from the community members and also
from the owners of the tobacco processing units. The estimation of the contribution to be
received during the planned period is as mentioned below.
Particulars
Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Grand
Total
Parent Contribution 1300
children * Rs. 25 / annum 32500
35,750
39,325
107,575
Tobbaco owner Contribution 100000 100000 100000 300,000
Contribution for Food from
Villages 60000 60000 60000
180,000
Total 192,500 195,750 199,325 587,575
4.5.4 Insurance
SEWA has set up its insurance programme in 1992 as a support to tackle as many possible
risks in the lives of poor women members. This programme provides social protection for
SEWA members to cover their life cycle needs and the various risks they face in their
lives, through an insurance Programme wherein they themselves are the users, owners and
managers of all services. The brief overview of the existing insurance schemes 1 and 2 is
mentioned below.
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
33
Premium Sum Assured Scheme I
Annual Fix Natura
l Death
Hospitali
zation
Loss of house
/ household
equipments
Accident
al Death
Accident
al Death
(Husban
d)
Insurance
of Whole
Family
325
Insurance
of Member
125 2100 7500 Upto
2000
Upto 10000 40000 15000
Insurance
of
Members’
Husband
100 1500 7500 Upto
2000
25000
Insurance
of Children
100 Upto
2500
Premium Sum Assured Scheme II
Annual Fix Natura
l Death
Hospitali
zation
Loss of house
/ household
equipments
Accident
al Death
Accident
al Death
(Husban
d)
Insurance
of Whole
Family
600
Insurance
of Member
275 5000 20000 Upto
6000
Upto 20000 65000 15000
Insurance
of
Members’
Husband
225 4000 20000 Upto
6000
50000
Insurance
of Children
100 Upto
2500
27000 members are presently insured in Kheda and Anand districts. It is estimated that
within the strategic plan total of 45000 poor community members will be covered under
the insurance programmes. In addition total of 10000 members would be under the
“Integrated Social Protection Mechanism “ by the end of the period.
A brief on the activities planned to achieve this is as mentioned below.
� Trainings to leader – 6 trainings – 35 members in each year
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
34
� Meetings in villages – (10)
� Claim committee - monthly
� Co-ordination meeting / Claims checking – monthly
As a part of the capacity building of the district association to run insurance programme,
the capacities of the District Association and its member has been built-up over a period of
time. In Kheda and Anand districts, the implementation and processing is done at Anand
by the District Association and thus for managing this the District Association receives
certain funds from VIMO- SEWA as its contribution for management and administrative
cost. It is estimated that 60 % of the budget allocated for carrying out the planned
activities will be covered from this.
4.5.5 Rehabilitation of Riots affected Widows (Shanta programme)
The Shanta Programme was started with the aim of helping Riots affected women and
children in overcoming mental and physical disturbances and help them in attaining
sustainable livelihood. Main activities of the project are trauma, vocational guidance,
health education for children; and livelihood, insurance, housing, health and trauma
counselling for Shanta women. Different traditional means of livelihood were made
available to the women as per their skills, education and interest. In this way this
programme aims to rehabilitate the Shanta women and children in such a way that they get
integrated into the society with economic security and self-confidence.
A total of 15 widows from 12 villages and 38 children are covered under this Programme
from Kheda and Anand district. Within the strategic plan, the District Association in co-
ordination with SEWA plans to continue the support to the beneficiaries in the following
ways.
� Livelihood
o Linkages with SHGs with integrated approach and provision of credit in
second year
o Vocational trainings to 6 widows – 4 Stitching, 2 RUDI, 2 Nursery raising
o Management trainings to 10 widows
� Health
o Trauma counseling of 10 children’s of widows
o Regular medical check-up on quarterly basis
The members would also be linked with the Insurance Programme
4.5.6 Jeevan Shala (Life schools)
“Jeevan Shala” is SEWA member’s informal school. It is a “life school” based on what the
members want to learn and is designed to engage adult learners and build their interest,
confidence and self-esteem. A life school is started in the village following the member’s
demand for education. Any woman in the age group of 15 to 45 years can join the Jeevan
Shala. The timings of the Jeevan Shala are fixed by the members as per their convenience.
The education imparted in this Jeevan Shala is in an innovative way so as to make it more
understandable and interesting for the poor members of SEWA. The education provided to
them is of the type that they can relate to their work environment and day-to-day
necessities. Apart from the education, Jeevan Shala also organises celeberations, fairs etc.
wherein the members participate in different educational games. Presently 27 Jeevan
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
35
Shalas are running in 26 villages in the district of Anand, Patan, and Surendranagar. These
Jeevan Shalas are attended by 526 members.
Although literacy is relatively high in Kheda and Anand district, members need the kind of
training imparted in Jeevan Shalas as it is directly related to their lives and work. Presently
15 Jeevan Shalas are functioning in Kheda district, in which 250 members are benefited.
Within the strategic plan, it is planed to continue the running of the present Jeevan Shala
and to open 5 new ones. The following activities are planned during the period.
� Open 5 new life schools which would be attended by 75 new participants. Thus
during the period total of 20 Jeevanshalas would be functional / operational totaling
to participation of 325 women members in this Jeevan Shalas
� Organizing 3 Akshar Mela (Education Fair) covering participation of 300 women
� 3 trainings to covering 21 Vidya gauri (life school teachers)
� Lateral learning through life school meetings – 325 members
� Monthly meeting of Vidya Gauris (Life school teachers)
* * * * * * * *
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
36
Annex 4 – SEWA Organizational framework
ADMIN. ACCOUNTS
FACILITAION
UNITS
SEWA
RURAL & ECO.
DEV. DIVISION
URBAN
UNION
ACADEMY SOCIAL
SECURITY
FEDERATION
STFC DIST.
ASSOCIATIONS
INSURANCE CHILDCARE HEALTH
SGMH
• Ahmedabad
• Gandhinagar
• Mehsana
• Anand
• Sabarkantha
• Banaskantha
• Patan
• Kutch
• Surendranagar
• Vadodara
• Panchmahal
• Dahod
• Surat
SEWA
MANAGER’S
SCHOOL
Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Lok Manya Tilak Baug,
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Phone No. : 079-25506477, 25506444, Fax No. : 079-25506446
E-mail : [email protected]
37
SEWA ORGANOGRAM
ACCOUNTANT
(DISTRICT LEVEL)
SEWA
DIRECTOR,
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
CONSULTANTS
� ACTIVITY WISE
TECHNICAL
� MANAGEMENT
� FINANCE
ACTIVITY- WISE
COORDINATORS DISTRCIT
COORDINATORS
PROJECT
COORDINATORS
(DISTRICT - WISE)
LOCAL DISTRCIT
COORDINATORS
ACCOUNTS AND
ADMINISTRATION
TEAM LEADERS
(ACTIVITY-WISE)
ORGANISORS
(ACTIVITY-WISE)
SPEARHEAD
TEAMS
SELF-EMPLOYED
WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
SEWA