The Role of women in the development of society is of utmost importance. In fact,
it is the only thing that determines whether a society is strong and harmonious,
or otherwise. Women are the backbone of society.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar , Founder
Women are the foundation of any community and if she is empowered, a family, and
eventually an entire community is also empowered. IAHV runs programs have succeeded
in instilling confidence in women, and drawing them to take on leadership roles
in their communities. IAHV’s Global Initiative on Women’s Empowerment
is represented below.
IAHV’s women empowerment programs were piloted in India under the VISTA project
started in 1992. Today they have earned international acclaim, and are being run
in several countries, including, South Africa, Botswana, Poland, Kosovo, USA, Mexico,
Panama, Belize, South America, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Indonesia. Read More
Empowerment through Vocational Training
IAHV runs it Rural Development Program (RDP) to increase skill sand capacities of
villagers—particularly for rural girls and women—empowering them to
economic self reliance and improved livelihoods. Skills are imparted in tailoring,
knitting, block printing, incense stick rolling, candle making, jute and newspaper
bags, and domestic worker’s training.
Youth Leadership Training Program
Empowerment is not merely something one does, but an attitude. True empowerment
expresses itself through the desire and willingness to be an instrument of that
transformation in the lives of others as well.
Youth Leadership Training Program trains young people to become leaders
and effective development agents in their communities. YLTP lays special emphasis
on training women. Read
more
Empowerment through Education
Since education represents a basic component of human development—a critical
means of empowerment that brings about the social, economic, and political inclusion
of marginalized populations into mainstream society—IAHV is committed to make
free-of-cost, quality education especially accessible to the poor, providing a joyful
and inspiring learning environment to children from urban, rural and tribal areas.
In all these schools girls account to more than 50% of the student population.
Read more
Empowerment through Health Initiatives
IAHV aims to interrupt the vicious circle of poverty and poor health that affect
women the most, by attending to the immediate health needs of society’s economically
weaker sections through the
5H program. Recently IAHV has also initiated the Health Worker Program (HWP)
that targets rural health by involving rural women. HWP aims to revive traditional
health practices and ancient Ayurvedic knowledge.
Empowerment through Village Processes & Activities
IAHV has developed programs led by rural women that lead to community participation,
bringing entire village together. They also run several programs that inspire villagers,
particularly women, to come forward and take action.
Empowerment through Infrastructure Provision
Through its 5H program, using Self Help Groups methodology, IAHV aids in building
basic infrastructure that impacts the lives of less fortunate women. These include
houses, toilet blocks, schools, community halls and water harvesting structures,
all of which instill self-reliance and provide solid foundations to build better
future.
Empowerment through Political Participation
Women’s empowerment program also focuses on raising women’s awareness
around their rights and duties as citizens. IAHV encourages women to become community
leaders, to lead by example, to participate in local politics and to even stand
for village elections.
