Empowerment
Well, our mason decided (at 6.30 last night) to take a leave today, so our momentum was broken. It's okay, though: I have to admit we were a little worn out from the fast pace of the last two days.The day wasn't lost; we met with the women's group coordinator today to discuss their objectives and accomplishments. 29 groups totaling 2000 women are being trained in water conservation and management, organic farming techniques, and animal husbandry to generate income. Since banks will not usually lend to women, the groups are able to use the income to lend to members. Traditionally, women are given the most physically demanding jobs in the rice paddies and spend from 6am to 10pm bent over and up to their knees in mud. The new system does not decrease their work load, but does give them the opportunity to make decisions about crops, marketing, and spending the profits. It is completely inspiring to see how these women, who are normally expected to sit on the ground while men sit in chairs, are gaining respect and confidence while improving their socio-economic status.
Palmyra requires the groups and villages to provide 30% of the funding required for projects and the women are trained to manage the groups and the finances on their own. Their next project is to establish a Women's Own Bank which will be operated by and cater to village women.
We are meant to visit a participating village and the rice paddy of one of the groups on the 23rd. Too excited for words!
posted by Lauren and Travis @ 4:20 PM
1 comments
