These are the women who lived in the shadows of poverty, low self esteem and lack of self worth. They feared to step out of their homes, had no say in the decision making at home and were completely dependent. ICECD is a pioneer in implementing self-employment and entrepreneurship development for women by harnessing their entrepreneurial spirits and enabling them to emerge out of poverty by implementing specially designed “Women Entrepreneurship Development Programmes” (WEDPs). Under the leadership of Hina Shah, the need-based WEDPs adopt a systematic approach of identifying and selecting the capable rural women, developing and educating them and then providing follow-up support to enable these women to initiate their micro enterprises and income generation activities. The training modules are designed such that 80% to 85% of them start their own businesses and further employ others at the village level. The aim is to promote special progress, better standard of life and larger freedom for women. This process has not only led to self-employment but has also enhanced the social and economic status of women.
A MEASURABLE IMPACT
Women developed for micro/small enterprise creation directly by ICECD through WEDPs in Rural areas
2,00,000 RURAL WOMEN
Investment Creation by Women Entrepreneurs in rural areas
US$44.3 million (INR >200 cr.)
Employment generation in rural areas
>50,00,000 persons
Replication through NGO capacity building
1150 NGOs(all over India)
Trainers Capacity Building for WEDPs by ICECD
5500 Trainers (all over India)
Over all reach out to Rural Women through above NGOs/Trainers trained
10,00,000 rural women
These women Earn Rs.2000 – 50,000 per month
Their enterprises include plastics, packaging, food processing, garments, information technology, health care… the list goes on...
89.2% enterprises grow and expand
Better health
Better education
Economic independence
Increase in income
Increase in self reliance
Improved social status
Better social awareness
Increased confidence
A large number of women underwent an irreversible developmental change and became self reliant. More than 65% of these women are illiterate; while 25% are educated only up to Std.10. ICECD has also provided them with linkages to the local markets from Banks and other financial institutions.
This successful and sustainable model has provided social security to women in terms of regular income, purchasing capacity and independence. It has caught attention of the governments, policy makers, development organizations, social leaders and the society at large, thereby becoming a “movement” by replicating WEDPs amongst various target groups (rural women, illiterate women, women Below Poverty Line(BPL),tribal women, primitive tribal women, widows, marginal farm labourers, women belonging to schedule castes, physically challenged women and women affected by disasters like earth quake, droughts, etc. including a cross section of Hindu, Muslim and Christian women) in the state of Gujarat, in other states in India as well as other countries. During the above development process there were times when the development interventions by ICECD diversified in areas of health, education, environment management, water and sanitation and housing which are some of the key elements for lessening their suffering.
Unique Feature
ICECD organized for the first time in India, “The Convocation” to felicitate these women who have graduated from housewives to business women and are successfully running their enterprises. This pioneering effort received acclaim and appreciation from one and all.
Rural women graduate to become entrepreneurs!
Smt.Anandiben Patel, Honourable Minister of Education, Higher & Technical Education, Women and Child Development, Youth Culture and Sports, Govt. of Gujarat graced the convocation as the Chief Guest on 11th of February 2005. Other dignitaries included, Sri.N.V.Vasani (Vice Chancellor), Nirma University, who delivered the key note address, and Mr.Anil Johri, Director, World Food Programme.
Smt. Anandiben Patel expressed her joy and admiration at the “marvelous and revolutionary” work carried out by ICECD and encouraged all the women who received the “Entrepreneurial Degree” to set an example for the women of India.
ICECD Director, Ms Hina Shah says,”To awaken people, it is the woman who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves and the nation moves".
Improving socio-economic conditions of Tribal Women
Empowerment of Tribal Women involves not just an improvement in their physical and social conditions but also their increasing involvement in decision making and control over resources. This depends greatly on their economic status.
ICECD enhances their economic status through capacity building interventions – facilitated by education, skills, knowledge and information. The socio-economic development of these tribal women is achieved by strengthening the self help groups with specialized training programmes.
Since April 2002, ICECD is implementing the World Food Programme (WFP) in various locations for improving the socio-economic conditions of the tribals.
