Project Proposal of Sewing School

Project Proposal-Sewing School

Background

The total number of women in India according to the census 2018 is 652,797,589(65.2 Crore). The fact that women's participation in India's workforce is miserable, possibly fails to shock anyone anymore. From India's own census data and government surveys to studies conducted by various agencies, it has been firmly established that there's a very long way to go before as many women start working in India, as men.

Findings of the National Sample Survey (68th Round) results indicated that in 2011-2012, 24.8 of every 100 women worked in rural areas. The corresponding number when it came to men was 54.3. Women's participation was drastically less in urban areas. To every 54.6 employed men, there were just 14.7 working women. The participation of rural women in the workforce has fallen sharply in India. Compared to 49% in 2005, only 36% rural women were found to be a part of the workforce in 2012.

This is a matter of concern as women's paid employment is known to increase their ability to influence decision-making within the household and empower them more broadly in society. The falling numbers is because of the dwindling number of jobs suitable for them. Women in rural areas, who are mostly burdened with responsibilities of running the home and taking care of the family, found it convenient to do part-time jobs near their homes. And the most preferred form of employment would be farming related jobs. However, the number of farming jobs has been shrinking, without a commensurate increase in other employment opportunities. Research suggests that more than half of the decline in female labor force participation is due to the scarcity of suitable jobs at the local level.

Despite very rapid economic growth in India in recent years, there has been declining female labor force participation rates across all age groups, across all education levels, and in both urban and rural areas. Decline of women's participation in the workforce in India could be the result of the fact that there are just a handful of sectors that employ women. Also, there are only certain jobs that women get societal approval to do. Women in India tend to be grouped in certain industries and occupations, such as basic agriculture, sales and elementary services and handicraft manufacturing.

Sewing training

In many developing countries, the ability to sew is a sustainable lifeline. Many women, especially, can get jobs in garment factories — in many cases paying respectable wages — or open their own small storefront tailoring or seamstress shops. Addressing this issue HVF started with providing vocational training to rural women in sewing. The center is based in Undera, Vadodara.

Objectives

Short Term Objectives

• To educate and empower women to become self-employed and financially

independent.

• To develop women's socio-economic status as an owner / manager of a small

business.

Long Term Objectives

• To impart technical as well as life management skills which will help the women

become self-reliant, boost their confidence and make them independent.

• To provide skill training participants with income generation opportunities - be it as

micro entrepreneur working out of home or as an employee.

• To form groups amongst the women who together can improve living conditions,

health, and education facilities through a holistic approach in the communities.

• To form small co-operatives to generate business.

• To initiate small saving scheme program.

• To encourage the women to break the cycle of poverty through education and

empowerment.

Methodology

• Identify suitable women from different slum areas.

• Identify range of business opportunities suitable for the women.

• Train field workers and coordinators.

• Provide micro-enterprise training for the identified group.

• Form small groups for mutual dependence and develop leadership skills.

• Form small co-operatives to run a range of services stitching, embroidery & crochet work,

 artificial jewellery.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• All pertinent records of program related details will be documented.

• The case study of successful women will be recorded.

• Attendance will be monitored.

• Monthly meetings will be held to check the level of confidence and attitude of the

women.

• Saving schemes in co-ordination with Saarthi Micro Enterprise program will be

encouraged.

• Statistics / performance indicators as well as quarterly and annual account reports

will be submitted in time to the Donor Organization.

• Site visits can be arranged any time

Skill Training Classes

Cutting & Tailoring

• Teaches making drafts on paper, cutting cloth and basic sewing in a three month

course, the six-month course/one-year course follows a more advanced syllabus.

Embroidery

• The women learn basic as well as more complex embroidery stitches, will be are

encouraged to develop their Own designs and go on field trips to analyze demand in

the market.

• Discussions on different Health and Nutrition topics take place constantly, in line with the

holistic approach.

Impact on Beneficiaries

• When a woman runs a successful business and becomes economically independent,

there is a change in the attitude of the woman and in her social status. This also

happens due to constant counselling by the Saarthi workers.

• Poor people are so occupied by their immediate problems and day-to-day struggle for

survival that they need to be convinced about the benefits of health, nutrition and

education – which doesn't give immediate improvement in their life style.