SCAD have been working with Women Self Help Groups for over 25 years; they are the backbone of our organisation. Initially the men in the villages were against their wives leaving the house for training and used to argue with them. Now they see the benefit the groups have bought to their lives and villages and they ask their wives to get involved with the groups.

Women Self Help Groups are generally made up of between 10-20 women who come together to collect small savings and share their problems once a week. With the money they collect they can open a bank account collectively and also they have money for a revolving loan. The groups are encouraged and supported by us to begin income generating activities to improve their financial security.

So far 50,000 women have saved £7.8m to fund their own future security.

The women tell us that they enjoy the support that the group offers them, they share their problems together and when they wear their Saris as a group they feel very proud. Read more about empowering women and what they do in their communities.

Amalie Babu, the co-founder of SCAD, says “Organising women is a very successful program for us. The village changes nowadays through the women. Women are the strength”

We have made this video all about our SCAD Women’s Self Help Groups because we are exceptionally proud of them and the work that has been achieved.