Income Generation Support Program to Women in Parsa District (IGSP)

AHTCS, in partnership with Sansthagat Bikash Sanjal, endorsed the Income Generation Support Program for Women (IGSP) from 2012 to 2013. The project aimed to address and uplift the marginalized women in equine-rearing communities and sought to improve their socioeconomic status. Women are often restricted to household chores, and their engagement in income-generation avenues is barely evident, especially in the remote communities of Terai region, where they have limited involvement in the decision-making process. The initiative succeeded in reaching and bringing positive impacts in the lives of women of equine-owning communities in Bara and Parsa districts. Women groups were formed, providing platforms for sharing and learning, and enabling them to develop confidence to voice their collective concerns. Monthly group savings and credit mobilization provided them the option to borrow loans at affordable rates to meet their personal and business needs. Various livestock-specific income-generation trainings (goat, swine and poultry enterprise training) presented diverse income generation opportunities for the group members allowing them to break free from the financial hardships and exert a meaningful presence in their families and respective communities. The groups are well recognized by government and non-government institutions, included in plans and policies and group members continue to enjoy the relevant services and schemes. Further, orientation workshops on domestic conflict management empowered women to effectively resolve the household differences without disrupting the family dynamics while at the same time strengthening their roles within families and communities.

Overall, IGSP not only addressed the immediate needs but also fostered sustainable women’s empowerment through their promotion in the income-generation ventures as well as greater involvement in the decision-making process.