Improving skill base of rural women

Specific organization and training in economic activities can enable women to generate additional income. The Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) is an autonomous trade union begun in 1972 in Ahmedabad, India, inspired by Gandhian and feminist philosophy. SEWA enabled women of small farming and landless families to receive training in agriculture and dairy techniques. They describe their experience like this: 'Although women traditionally care for cattle, most have been exploited for years by private dairy interests. Low caste and harijan women have rarely had access to milk cattle because of the investment involved. SEWA arranged five-day training courses, for about 500 women, in veterinary care, cattle-breeding and methods of producing high quality milk. At first resistance was encountered to such training to illiterate women but the training proved to be successful. After an uphill battle against certain vested interests the first women's co-operative was registered in 1980. There are now numerous such co-operatives. Women have been trained to measure the fat content and keep records. The milk is marketed through the National Dairy Development Board and the Sardar Dairy. SEWA has similarly promoted income generation through spinning, weaving and pottery.