Married and relocated from her parents, Monica’s life took a new turn when a chance village encounter with an inspiring woman named Didi sparked a desire to join the Self Help Group (SHG), where Didi was a community resource person. Facing her husband’s disapproval of working outside the home, Monica felt compelled to attend the monthly SHG meetings in secret.
After a year of quiet determination, she revealed her desire to join the SHG to her husband. She explained how the local community managed resource center (CMRC) offered her an opportunity to serve as a community resource person, promising to contribute vital earnings to their household.
Recognizing the potential for increased household savings, her husband relented.
Empowered by her newfound role, Monica’s confidence blossomed to the point where she now speaks to audiences without a trace of hesitation. Her newly acquired self-awareness created a more equitable dynamic in her relationship with her husband. Besides her vital work as a community resource person, Monica now proudly also owns a shop.
Monica’s accomplishments have also influenced her two daughters’ aspirations. Her eldest, now eight, wants to join the police force, while her five-year old dreams of soaring as a pilot. Monica channels her savings to ensure the girls realize their dreams.
Partnership with Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal
Monica has had a transformative experience from joining her local SHG. Her SHG, three hours from the city of Nagpur, is facilitated by Government of Maharashtra’s MAVIM (Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal), a nodal agency for women’s empowerment. Women on Wings partners with MAVIM to co-create sustainable livelihoods and access to markets for women in rural Maharashtra.
MAVIM is present in 34 districts in Maharashtra and around 10,000 villages, supporting two million women through 160,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs). SHG participants are facilitated through self-sustaining community managed resource centers (CMRCs) which are located at block level, a level smaller than a district but larger than a single village.
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