Programme IWEP

Indigenous Women Empowerment Programme IWEP

In the society Indigenous communities face disadvantages of various kinds. Development in education, health and the use of local resources to sustain the family through an increased income, is a goal that SHED Board seeks to achieve through the empowerment of women. Often women play a significant role to improve the situation of their families. Eliminating poverty in their own family will lead to a positive socio-economic change in the Indigenous communities.

The Indigenous Women Empowerment Programme (IWEP) in Rajshahi provides an opportunity for women of indigenous background to be equipped with knowledge and skills. By providing resources and income increasing capacities, through need based training and mobilising local resources, families are equipped to get out of poverty.

SHED Board has received a work permit from NGO affairs bureau in 2013 through which the start of IWEP in Rajshahi district was possible. Together with BBCS, which agreed to use the land of ABCS of ChapaiNawabgonj district, it was possible to establish a project office and a primary school, to start the IWEP. Five development workers were recruited  to coordinate and run the IWEP programmes as well as the school and teachers’ recruitment for the school (February 01,2013).

The project office is located at Chinashow village (Pachandor union, Rajshahi) covers the projects and activities of 20 villages of 4 unions out of 110 villages and 10 unions. The target groups are women of indigenous background, namely Santal, Malo, Mahali, Oraon, Munda, Mahato, Pahan, Karmokar etc. Throughout the year various development programmes for the community were held.

A variety of training programmes were offered throughout the year:

* Training/ Awareness programme creates awareness of the root cause for socio-economic disadvantages in order to increase knowledge how to overcome it.

* Leadership training teaches people about leadership skills (i.e. developing problem and conflict-solving skills) and the role of a leader in society (i.e. at home, at church, in the village).

* Teacher’s training provide teaching staff with professional skills and education resources. A variety of child appropriate teaching methods increase the joy of students to learn as the teaching skills of teachers has improved.

* Credit management Seminars encourage individuals and families to increase their level of savings. At the same time it provides knowledge about the rules of loan distribution as well as the right use for proposed projects and repayment arrangements. Credit programmes are offered to help individuals to start implementing the newly learned lessons. These loans include low interest and long-term repayment which allows people to accept money from loan providers.