Understanding the situation faced by communities across the country, the YWCA focuses on promoting economic independence for women and financial inclusion for vulnerable Tribal and Dalit communities. We identify communities and groups and, based on their needs and potential for growth, support the establishment of training centres and create livelihood opportunities centred on sustainable, long-term growth. To strengthen accountability and implementation, we also encourage women to become stakeholders in the projects and work to build an ecosystem that supports continued growth.
An important aspect of the Decade of Action is reducing poverty and accelerating efforts to create sufficient employment opportunities. Through our initiatives, we strive to bridge the gap between unemployment and employability and provide young women with opportunities to pursue their interests and become financially independent. This also contributes to efforts to prevent child marriage and reduce gender inequality.
Tailoring: Sewing courses are conducted in collaboration with Singer, and as an extension of this work, a women’s patchwork group has been established to provide income-generating opportunities. Women who join the group receive one month of training and are subsequently paid for each completed piece of patchwork, along with an attendance allowance to encourage regular participation. The patchwork group makes bags, pouches, quilts and quilt covers. Revenue from sales provides income for the women and also supports the project by enabling additional participants to be trained. The YWCA ensures that its livelihood programmes remain focused on sustainability so that progress and impact can be maintained over the long term.
Mehendi Design and Beauty Culture: In response to demand from the communities, a mehendi design course is conducted alongside beauty culture training to enable women to generate regular income through these skills. Nail-art classes are also offered based on demand. Since the classes began in October 2016, they have trained more than 300 women.
Geriatric Care Course: India has a large and growing older population, yet many older people face challenges related to health, financial security, loneliness, emotional well-being and abuse. Despite these challenges, the needs of older people have historically received limited attention in many communities.
The YWCA of India took up the challenge of starting a pilot project to reach out to older people in Chandigarh. The project was developed in the context of the city’s population and the distribution of older residents across its sectors and villages, based on the 2011 Census.
The Geriatric Care Providers’ Training programme, launched in September 2015, is a three-month programme aimed at providing school dropouts with basic training in health and home care. The training creates opportunities for participants to work in hospitals, senior citizens’ homes, home nursing and related care settings.
Since 2015, five batches comprising 103 students have completed the course, and 55% have secured placements in clinics, hospitals and care centres. A curriculum based on the needs of older people has been developed and can be replicated by YWCAs and other organizations interested in establishing similar training programmes.
Computer Classes: Across its projects, the YWCA has prioritized computer and digital skills to open up new opportunities for young people. Women in male-dominated social environments can face barriers to accessing and using digital devices, contributing to a gender gap in digital inclusion. To help address this gap, the YWCA has partnered with NIIT to provide certified computer courses, particularly for students from marginalized families, school dropouts and street-connected children.
Livestock Development: Agriculture and allied sectors remain an important source of livelihood for rural households in India. Alongside agricultural activities, the YWCA supports non-agricultural livelihood options such as animal husbandry and poultry farming.
Bakery Training and Baking Units: Training covers practical baking techniques for cakes and snacks, product costing, project management, packaging and sales. The YWCA provides space for women to sell their products and works towards developing sustainable project models. This approach has been implemented through several member Associations.
Stories From Communities
Community Development Project of Arakkappara and Kothaikunnu, Thodupuzha
As a women’s movement, the YWCA is in a unique position to take the lead in raising awareness about violence against women and children, resource conservation, solid waste management and safeguarding the environment for future generations. Since the family is a basic unit of society, strengthening families can contribute to stronger communities and society as a whole.
The project ran for three years beginning in September 2014 and aimed at the holistic development of families in the project area. It sought to empower girls and women, address violence against women through community action, and mobilize men and women collectively against violence. The project also explored ways to create cleaner, safer, healthier and more economically sustainable places to live, work and play. In addition, it included training for homemakers to strengthen family management and economic security.
The specific objectives of the project were to raise awareness among the target population about women’s and children’s rights and to help a majority of participating families become more financially independent through Income-Generating Programmes (IGPs).
In the first phase of the project, YWCA members and Assistant Coordinators, together with Al-Azhar Public School NSS students and staff, conducted a survey to map the community and understand it better. Various workshops covered topics including Family Empowerment, Means to Gain Happiness, Creative Parenting, and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Group counselling was provided to community members, along with individual counselling for cancer patients. A training session on vegetable gardening and cultivation using grow bags was also organized for community members.
On 30 May 2015, YWCA members and Y-Deepa students visited Amarankavu near Kolani, Thodupuzha. The three-acre forest area has been preserved in its natural state through the efforts and vigilance of the local community. The girls were introduced to ways of conserving nature and protecting natural resources.
In the second phase, participants were introduced to the 3Rs—reduce, reuse and recycle—as part of an environmental awareness programme. They were taught how to make compost using PVC pipes so that household waste could be converted into manure for kitchen gardening.
Sessions on behavioural counselling and life skills education were also conducted. A number of women received training in jewellery making, cookery and flower arrangement, along with other life skills. YWCA members made periodic visits to encourage participants and assess the project’s impact in the community.
Bellickal & Ammanadu, Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu
Supported by its National Project Anandagiri in Ootacamund, the YWCA of India started a community development programme in Bellickal and Ammanadu in the tribal belt of the Nilgiris. The villages are home to the Irula and Kurumba tribal communities.
The work began on a voluntary basis with free tuition for children, numbering approximately 12 at Bellickal and 22 at Ammanadu. After the classes began, three girls—one from Bellickal and two from Ammanadu—joined nearby residential schools. Two of the three had previously dropped out of school. Donors support their education after seeing the sustained effort being made in the community.
Efforts to form a village development committee to address basic needs, including safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, are ongoing.
Temporary shelters have been built to conduct classes, and one generous family has also made its home available for classes, although the space is small for the number of children attending.
At the time of the original account, 12 students were studying up to the 2nd standard, nine students were in standards 3 to 5, and 13 students were in standards 6 to 10, with 34 students registered in total. Four honorary teaching staff conducted classes every Saturday afternoon.
Efforts were also being made to readmit boys between the ages of 15 and 19 to a nearby vocational training institute, with the admission process underway.
Access to government schemes was another area of focus. The Tahsildar had promised support, but the absence of community certificates for many villagers could delay access to schemes because such certificates were required for certain benefits. The project therefore began raising awareness about the importance of obtaining government documents, including community certificates, ration cards, bank accounts and land records. As a first priority, work to obtain community certificates was initiated.
Training was provided on:
- The importance and benefits of planting trees, and the harmful consequences of deforestation.
- Simple household water-filtration systems.
- Health and hygiene awareness for women and children, especially girls.
- Sanitation; following the training, almost all households had started constructing toilets.
Two applications were submitted to the Tribal Welfare Department for free seeds and fertilizers for small-scale farming, along with two applications for a house-renovation scheme.
Workshops on environmental and social concerns formed part of the programme. “Say No to Plastics” was one of the key issues addressed.
Y-Deepa work was also initiated in the region. Key points from the lesson on self-esteem were introduced to young people aged 17–21 and students above the age of 11.
An Eco Club comprising students was formed to promote awareness of environmental issues. An organic farming expert, entrepreneur and faculty member from an organic farming institute conducted training on organic farming and also offered to provide employment opportunities.