๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ
Sangita, from Shelgaon village in Nanded district, comes from a small farming family. A mother of two and educated up to the 11th standard, she always carried the desire to work beyond her home. But like many women, she faced strong resistance from her in-laws. The turning point came when the Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) team visited her home and engaged her family in conversations on womenโs empowerment in 2019. That moment opened the door to her leadership journey.
Sangita began working as an Arogya Sakhi with SSP, focusing on health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and womenโs empowerment. Initially hesitant and unsure, she gradually gained confidence through SSP trainings. She started visiting households, speaking to women about balanced and nutritious diets, the tricolour diet for pregnant women, safe drinking water practices, child immunisation, and basic health care.
During her work, Sangita noticed a deeper challenge. Many women needed urgent money for health care but were unable to step out or access support. With guidance from SSP, she formed the Jagruti Arogya Sakhi Group in 2019. What started with just 10 women has now grown into a strong collective of 100 women. As President of the group, along with Secretary Kamla Maruti Gorkate, Sangita has ensured the group remains active, transparent, and focused on womenโs health needs.
Through monthly savings, low-interest loans, and a โน20,000 Kamal Udwadia Foundation (KUF ) health fund from SSP, the group has supported more than 40 women with timely medical loans. These include support for pregnant women, mothers of young children, adolescent girls, and emergency health situations such as blood transfusions, pneumonia, injuries, and menstrual health issues.
Today, Sangita is also a Director in Prema Saki Farmer Producer Company, Loha, further strengthening womenโs voices in local institutions. More than 100 families have benefited from her efforts.โEvery woman has the power to create a universe from nothing; what she needs is the right information and a strong support system,โ says Sangita.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
04 February, 2026