In the villages of Hazaribagh, change often begins in a small circle of women sitting together. At Muskan Foundation, we have seen again and again that when rural and tribal women come together, save together and learn together, they become a powerful force for change — in their homes and in their communities.
Why Self-Help Groups matter
A Self-Help Group (SHG) is a small group of women who meet regularly, save small amounts of money, support one another and take decisions collectively. For many women in rural Jharkhand, the SHG is the first platform where their voice is heard outside the home.
Through our Self-Help Group formation and strengthening work, Muskan Foundation encourages:
- Regular savings, mutual support and financial awareness
- Leadership and collective decision-making among women
- Income-generating activities and small-scale enterprises
- Women’s participation in local development initiatives
From skills to self-employment
Savings alone are not enough — women also need skills that can earn an income. Under the Guru-Shishya Hastshilp Prashikshan Programme, supported by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Muskan Foundation conducted a 50-day traditional block-printing training for 30 women.
Working with experienced master artisans, the women learned dye preparation, printing, finishing and product presentation, using natural dyes and hand-carved wooden blocks. The results were encouraging:
- 30 women trained in traditional block printing
- 24 of the 30 participants reported to be engaged in self-employment
- 18 women artisans gained income opportunities
When a woman earns, she gains more than income — she gains confidence, respect and a stronger voice in her family’s decisions.
Turning local resources into enterprise
Under the NABARD-supported Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP), women were trained to prepare value-added products from Mahua — including pickles, laddoos and candy. By using locally available forest produce and traditional knowledge, such programmes open new pathways for small rural enterprises.
Building equality from the ground up
Alongside livelihoods, we run awareness activities on girls’ education, women’s rights and gender equality — including sessions at local fairs on the importance of educating girls. Lasting change needs both opportunity and a shift in attitudes.
The road ahead
Muskan Foundation remains committed to creating an environment where rural and tribal women can access skills, resources, livelihood opportunities and platforms for leadership. If you would like to support this work — as a donor, a CSR partner or a volunteer — we would love to hear from you.
