Deepali demonstrates the transformation that entrepreneurship and subsequent financial independence can bring about in the life of grassroots women.
Married at a young age in 2013, Deepali was unable to complete her high school education due to the birth of her daughters and subsequent family responsibilities. As Deepali’s children grew up, she began to engage herself with local Self-Help Group (SHG) in the village. In 2018, Deepali attended SSP’s orientation meeting, learning about SSP’s inspiring work in empowering women and community development. Soon, Deepali overcame her family’s objections to start working as a Community Resource Person (CRP) in the village.
As a CRP, Deepali work focused on building rural women’s entrepreneurship through mentorship, hand holding and convergence with government schemes. By 2020, Deepali has emerged as a strong leader in her community, training and mentoring other women on a variety of subjects like organic farming, entrepreneurship, clean energy and leadership development. She also connected other women to various government schemes through her leadership and advocacy efforts. She supported 40 small-scale women entrepreneurs and farmers in her village to avail ATMA departments schemes through which they received seeds and other inputs, and also linked 3 women’s groups to loans worth 4.5 lakhs in total.
Deepali herself transformed from a homemaker to a savvy business woman, running a flour mill (atta chakki), spice grinding (mirchi kandap) business and also a seasonal papad making business. She earns around Rs. 15,000 per month, contributing significantly to running the household and is involved in family decision-making. She has also gained recognition from the community and local authorities, including the Gram Panchayat, who invite her to participate in meetings and give her inputs on implementation of women-centric government schemes.
Deepali says that, “Engaging with SSP and other leaders taught me women aren’t a burden, but crucial for progress. That is why I was able to overcome family concerns over having three daughters. I am now determined to pursue my own education and further studies, making my dreams come true.”
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
April 09, 2024