 Women enact change through the creation of half a million self-help groups
Up until very recently, women in rural India lived in virtual isolation, unable to access even the most basic of services. But, with the formation of Indigenous Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) five years ago, these women are now achieving social and physical mobility.
Dr. Karim-Aly Kassam, a University of Calgary professor in the Faculty of Communication and Culture, and Dr. R. Indira, a Sociology professor at the University of Mysore, India have teamed up to examine the role of SHGs as not only a strong counterforce against exploitive credit delivery systems, but also as an institutional avenue for rural women to mobilize themselves in order to seek better life chances.
SHGs have signaled the beginning a new era in rural India by helping more than six million women from 29,000 villages improve their incomes, educate their children, and buy assets. SHGs have also helped women campaign against oppressive social practices and become a force of development in their villages.
This research project, “Building Capacities of Rural Communities through People’s Institutions”, has allowed Dr. Karim-Aly Kassam and Dr. R. Indira to work with tribal women in the rain forest in the south of India since 1998
Dr. Indira, along with three graduate students and a young village leader will meet with Dr. Kassam in Calgary Friday, Oct. 7 to Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005. The group will be available for pre-arranged media interviews on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005.
 Self Help Groups - Silent Revolution (73.98 KB 2005-10-14 09:23:10)
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