Recasting Citizenship for Development - File UPI

SHGs as Change Agents in Enhancing the Political Participation 339
be treated as clean advance and no security would be required for this.
Purti Sansthan and PANI motivated and educated the SHGs to make
optimal use of the credit amount for economic development. They have
also linked the groups to governmental schemes such as the SGSY of the
District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) to meet their additional
financial needs. HARC promoted building linkages with financial institutions,
marketing agencies, extension experts, seed and organic fertiliser
agencies, and various government machineries.
Developing Networks: The federation of SHGs has led to the development
of inter-linkages among SHGs. Networking has enabled women
to share their experiences with other groups in different villages that have
similar stakes and aspirations. The federations have been trained in financial
management, resource mobilisation and decision-making. HARC has
enabled the formation of the Rawain Women SHG Federation in Naugaon
Block. The federation acts as a trading unit, helping the SHGs to market
their products. SHG members have contributed a share value of Rs 500
for a life membership and have started a collective business. HARC is
also helping them to deal with banks and other financial institutions. In
Sehore Block, the SHGs promoted by Samarthan are federated as ‘Cluster
Associations’, comprising groups from eight to 10 villages. The clusters
are so formed that women are able to attend the meetings by commuting
less than 3–5 km. Group members who attend the cluster meeting include
the office bearers and one other member. The Cluster Association meets
in rotation in each of the six villages. Purti Sansthan has promoted clusterwise
networks of SHGs. It has also provided training to cluster associations.
PANI has facilitated a confederation of SHGs called ‘Lok Sangh’
in each gram panchayat. They are also trying to establish various smallscale
and cottage industries at the federation level.
Capacity-Building Support to Field-Level Workers
and Motivators
Samarthan and HARC have created a cadre of field workers and motivators
who act as facilitators. The key capacity building areas are summarised
in Table 15.3. The facilitators are trained to motivate other women
to organise and form SHGs in the village. They are change agents who
strengthen women’s groups, help solve their problems, disseminate