Step Project | Sanidhya | Empowering Communities, Educating Children & Supporting Women

STEP Project - Empowering Women of Hoshangabad

The major activity is the STEP project of the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India. Under this scheme, we have taken 1410 beneficiaries (women) of Hoshangabad to make them self-reliant and strong in every aspect. The project provides training in 15 different trades of Handicraft to women beneficiaries so that they can undertake gainful employment through income-generating activities, thereby strengthening themselves and improving their livelihoods. Activities under the STEP scheme include training, skill-building, and support for handicraft-based employment.

Training

Under this scheme Sanidhya organized training of 15 different handicrafts to 700 beneficiaries of Hoshangabad for 3,6 and 12 months at Harne Nagar malakhedi Hoshangabad. The upliftment of women is only possible when they are self depended and confident. So after getting trained in the handicraft sector they can produce material from which they can make some money for their family and this can definitely going to increase their livelihood .STEP scheme is totally dedicated to the empowerments of women through Training, production, education, advocacy SHG formation, and other support services what ever required.
Training was provided for : Batik printing, Block printing, Dyes printing, Screen printing, Madhubani printing, Mandana printing, Paper mashie, Patch work and applec work, Jute work, Embriodery, Jewelry making, Pottery making, Hand made paper seat items, Crochet, Tie and dye.
Criteria for selection : We have done a base line survey and we have taken females from Hoshangabad district and surrounding villages. They belong to SC, ST, OBC and general category. Most of them are below poverty line.

Education

Under the STEP scheme we are providing education to those female who are illiterate or neoliterate . Because we believe that education is the major key towards liberation and success. We have provided them books, copies, books, pen, pencil and all material which was required for educating them. In addition to this we have taken classes of personality grooming for all women beneficiaries so that they can learn how to communicate how to talk with the people etc. In this process we have adapted the methods of books of state resource centre Bhopal and they have provided us all the material related to education.

Health awareness & nutrition

In rural sector Health of women is a major subject which has to be taken care of. Females are very care less about their health and food hobbits. Under the scheme we have organized 3 health check up camps for artisans.In these camps all female beneficiaries & their children were examined & given medical advices.

Insurance facility

We have linked our beneficiaries with ICICI Health Insurance to ensure their overall well-being and security. Through this initiative, not just the women beneficiaries but their entire families are able to access essential healthcare services without financial burden. The health insurance coverage includes hospitalization expenses, pre and post-hospitalization care, maternity benefits, and treatment for various illnesses. This step plays a crucial role in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses and encourages families to seek timely healthcare.

Making of SHG & strengthening

Formation of SHG group is one of the important parts of this project. We have formed 25 SHG groups during the year and after formation of these groups we have organized different innovative seminars and workshops for these groups. The groups were made aware of banking scheme, different points of Govt. loan facilities, strengthening of groups etc. With the help of all these workshops we have highlighted the strength and benefits of women’s groups and how they can produce the product with the help of their group.

Legal awareness

A female has the right to have knowledge about her legal problems. She should aware about all her rights related to her so that she can fight against injustice. We have taken legal awareness as an important part of our action plant of every year and in STEP project as well. The organization organized legal awareness camps at malakhedi training premises of STEP. In these camps all advices given to the females related all the queries about their rights

;

Link agencies

We have also linked our artisans to some link agencies to promote their work. Such as NABARD, State Bank of India Hoshangabad directorate of handicraft, State resources center Bhopal, different emporium, boutiques.