Rockflower partner, The Society for Participatory Research and Integrated Training, began implementing the Economic Empowerment of Deserted Women project among the single women headed families in Manamelkudi block in March 2017. Starting with 25 women in Palkudi village, the objectives of the project were to create a platform for economic empowerment to increase self confidence and self dependency and to provide viable credit assistance to create employment opportunities.
Ms. Kulandhai Thresa collecting the cultivated sea weed from the sea.
Following the distribution of credit assistance to support sea weed cultivation, fish vending and the sale of dry fish, the first six month period has focused on tracking the participants progress. Monthly participant meetings give the women the opportunity to share their experiences as well as solutions they have devised to overcome problems.
The women have already started to repay their loans in 10 monthly installments, an important milestone in proving the initiative's long term sustainability.
Discussion at the shore
The women of Palakudi were extremely grateful for this opportunity to prove their innate capacity to create economic opportunities for themselves and their families.
Below is a case study of one of the project participants.
