Beyond Boundaries: How Vijaymala Shendage Unleashed Women’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
Vijaymala Shendage from Wagholi village in Maharashtra is guiding many women in recognizing opportunities and running financially sustainable small-scale businesses in Kallam Block of Osmanabad District. In 2017, Vijaymala began to work as a trainer to build rural women’s capacities in five villages. Over the next four years as she gained knowledge, confidence and skills, she started mentoring and guiding other leaders in the Block to improve their own work.
Vijaymala herself received training on organic farming, leadership, entrepreneurship development and financial and digital literacy from Swayam Shikshan Prayog – SSP. Through practical and local context specific examples, she trained women in entrepreneurship, livelihood diversification and business management. Focusing on the importance of financial independence, Vijaymala urged women to participate in PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) exercises and helped them identify the various business opportunities and support that is available in their village.
One major hurdle she encountered was that often women did not see themselves as businesswomen and their work as possible enterprise opportunities. Vijaymala spent time with them to analyse their work in terms of labour and time spent and trained them in aspects such as recording and budgeting. This helped women recognize the feasibility of running a business and the importance of livelihood diversification to maintain a stable income throughout the year. Through her efforts, over 700 women in Wagholi and surrounding villages are operating small businesses like papad (Indian savory snack) making, vegetable vending, dairy, clothing, tailoring, stationery and groceries. And each one of them has increased their monthly income to at least Rs. 3,000.
“Developing women’s leadership is a slow process that takes time and effort, but once they are into leadership, they will give their best to make it successful” says Vijayamala.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
January 09, 2024