Livelihood & Women's Empowerment
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At Sabuj Sangha, livelihood and women's empowerment are seen as critical components for ensuring sustainable development. The emphasis is on enhancing capacities of deprived communities to take informed decisions and manage their livelihood |
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options accordingly. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for women are important platforms for both income generation as well as increased engagement in various aspects (social, cultural and political) governing their lives.
Sabuj Sangha's livelihood initiatives are aimed at helping communities adopt viable and sustainable options to improve quality of life. These initiatives also focus on improving food security. Women constitute a key target group. Livelihood initiatives have acted as a precursor to a larger movement of empowering women. Sabuj Sangha works with over with 10,000 women through SHGs in the Sundarban region alone. |
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Key Activities
Providing Livelihood Opportunities
SHG women are provided with the necessary inputs and support to access loans and begin their own micro-enterprise. As well as financial support, beneficiaries also receive business and technical training related to certain livelihood options such as poultry farming.
The table below shows the industries and support where supported was provided by Sabuj Sangha.
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| Purpose |
2007 - 2008 |
2008 - 2009 |
2009 - 2010 |
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No of SHG Members |
Amount (Rs) |
No of SHG Members |
Amount (Rs) |
No of SHG Members |
Amount (Rs) |
| Agriculture |
1233 |
4,368,000 |
1164 |
4,621,000 |
653 |
3,200,700 |
| Small Business |
667 |
2,422,000 |
754 |
2,880,000 |
662 |
3,072,000 |
| Fisheries |
86 |
3,700,000 |
84 |
4,110,000 |
62 |
394,000 |
| Animal Husbandry |
34 |
970,000 |
31 |
1,170,000 |
38 |
170,000 |
| Transport |
73 |
346,0000 |
63 |
3,190,000 |
52 |
276,000 |
| Consumption |
381 |
1,463,000 |
429 |
1,784,000 |
341 |
117,900 |
| Total |
2474 |
9,066,000 |
2525 |
10,132,00 |
1808 |
8,298,000 |
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Providing Regular Support
Families involved in poultry, paddy cultivation, growing vegetables and other small businesses are provided with regular support. Support activities include capacity building through training, discussion and exposure visits all of which involve continuous follow up. Market linkages and other critical aspects are also. Communities are encouraged to initiate co-operatives/groups which would enable them to utilise their collective strengths in dealing with market forces and improve profits.
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Building Capacities of SHG Women
SHG women are supported in raising local issues and concerns at Gram Sabhas and other platforms under the Panchayati Raj or rural local self government system. Women are provided supportive inputs on various issues including health and nutrition, sanitation, disaster preparedness etc. They are encouraged to interact with government functionaries, PRI members and other key stakeholders and highlight issues that impact the lives of their communities.
Encouraging Saving Activities
Women are encouraged to form SHGs and begin saving. This becomes the first step in a process which enables them to access loans and undertake income generation activities.
Emergency Card System
Sabuj Sangha introduced a system of Emergency Cards in 2007 to assist SHG members in accessing finances during emergencies. The women can later repay the amount borrowed according to an agreed timeline. This system protects them from falling prey to local money lenders who charge exorbitant rates of interest.
The table below shows an overview of usage of the Emergency Card system.
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Year |
No of People Assisted |
Amount of Assistance (Rs) |
2007-2008 |
2723 |
13.62 |
2008-2009 |
3915 |
19.58 |
2009-2010 |
3212 |
16.06 |
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Helping Communities Access Mandated Services and Schemes
Sabuj Sangha improves livelihood opportunities by helping communities access a range of existing government schemes and services. These include provisions for food security and pensions for families enlisted as living below the poverty line.
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| Results: Livelihood Component of MVSD
- Poultry sheds for 119 families were repaired.
- 40 of the 125 poultry farms supported increased their livestock by 25% or more.
- 67 families earned more than expected.
- 13 of 15 families started their own business.
- 25% of all families increased their assets between 2007 and 2010.
- 75% of families could have at least two meals a day. This figure previously stood at 35% in 2007.
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