Empowering Rural Women in Uttarkashi

Janki Devi Educational Welfare Society (JDEWS) has been dedicated to empowering rural women and promoting socio-economic development in Uttarkashi. Through our unwavering commitment, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in the lives of women in this region. 

One such milestone was achieved during a recent visit to Gram Kunjan, Uttarkashi, where the inauguration of a pilot project under the Secure Himalaya Project took place. This project aimed to strengthen the capacity and skill-building of local women and uplift their socio-economic status.

Understanding the State of Rural Women in Uttarkashi:

Uttarkashi, nestled in the serene Himalayan foothills, is home to a vibrant community of talented women. However, many of these women face various challenges, including limited access to resources, economic opportunities, and skill enhancement programs. Recognizing the untapped potential within them, JDEWS took on the responsibility of empowering these women and providing them with the means to enhance their skills and livelihoods.

The Productive Excursion to Gram Kunjan:

In December 2022, women under JDEWS embarked on a riveting and productive excursion to Gram Kunjan, Uttarkashi. This marked the inauguration of the pilot project under the Secure Himalaya Project, an initiative focused on the capacity building and skill enhancement of local women. The project aimed to equip these women with valuable skills in the creation of handmade products, specifically shawls, stoles, and more.

Skill-Building Workshops:

During their visit to Gram Kunjan, the women actively participated in a series of workshops, carefully designed to provide them with a diverse range of techniques and expertise in crafting exquisite handmade products. These workshops served as transformative platforms, allowing the women to hone their skills, learn new techniques, and broaden their creative horizons.

Empowering Women through Skill Enhancement:

The pilot project’s core objective was to empower the women of Uttarkashi by enhancing their craftsmanship and fostering economic independence. By equipping them with valuable skills, JDEWS aimed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and uplift their socio-economic status. Through the pilot project, the women developed a deep understanding of product value addition, ensuring the creation of high-quality, handmade products that reflect their rich heritage and culture.

Impact and Future Prospects:

The women’s participation in the skill-building workshops at Gram Kunjan has already yielded remarkable results. These women have not only improved their craftsmanship but also gained confidence and a sense of empowerment. As they continue to produce exquisite handmade products, they are opening doors to new market opportunities and socio-economic growth.

JDEWS remains committed to nurturing the talent and potential of rural women in Uttarkashi. Our ongoing efforts to empower them through skill enhancement programs, vocational training, and sustainable livelihood opportunities have the potential to create a lasting impact on their lives and the entire community.

Conclusion:

The excursion to Gram Kunjan, Uttarkashi, under the Secure Himalaya Project, marked a significant milestone in JDEWS’ journey to empower rural women. Through skill-building workshops and capacity enhancement initiatives, the women of Uttarkashi are unlocking their potential, embracing their creativity, and shaping a brighter future for themselves and their families. JDEWS remains dedicated to supporting and uplifting these women, ensuring they achieve socio-economic independence and contribute to the holistic development of Uttarkashi.

 

Livelihood enhancement of the local communities: SECURE Himalaya Project in collaboration with UNDP

At JDEWS, we take immense pride in being a part of the SECURE Himalaya project, a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Government of India, four state governments, and UNDP. This project, funded by the Global Environment Facility, holds great promise for the sustainable development of the Govind landscape in Uttarkashi district. With a focus on strengthening the Handloom and Handicraft value chain, the project aims to uplift local communities, conserve natural resources, and secure livelihoods.

Promoting Sustainable Land and Forest Management:

We are proud to be a part of the SECURE Himalaya project in collaboration with UNDP-

“Livelihood enhancement of the local communities by strengthening Handloom & Handicraft value chain and encourage the communities towards conservation of natural resources of the Govind landscape of District Uttarkashi”

To effectively promote sustainable land and forest management in alpine pastures and forests in high range Indian Himalayan ecosystems that secures sustainable livelihood and community resilience and ensures conservation of globally significant biodiversity and threatened species. The project also aims to assess the socio-economic conditions of the people of Govind landscape and improve it by completing the project. It will assess the means of earning and livelihood through Handloom and Handicraft, train the groups of people in Handloom and Handicraft to generate incomes, and look for sustainable market linkages for better trade possibilities.

Improving Socio-Economic Conditions:

As a part of this project, we are committed to assessing the socio-economic conditions of the people residing in the Govind landscape. Through comprehensive studies and data analysis, we aim to identify areas of improvement and implement targeted interventions. By enhancing the means of earning and livelihood through Handloom and Handicraft, we empower individuals and groups to generate sustainable incomes. This, in turn, has a ripple effect on the overall socio-economic status of the community, creating opportunities for growth and prosperity.

Conclusion:

Our journey with the SECURE Himalaya project is an embodiment of our commitment to environmental conservation, community empowerment, and sustainable development. Through this initiative, we strive to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people in the Govind landscape, create opportunities for skill development, and promote the rich heritage of Handloom and Handicraft. By fostering a harmonious relationship between nature and livelihoods, we envision a brighter and more prosperous future for Uttarkashi and its communities.

Join us on this transformative journey towards sustainable development, and together, let’s create a better tomorrow.

Visit of the First Citizen Of India

09.12.2022

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu visited Uttarakhand from December 8 to 9, 2022 for the convocation of Doon University and also attended a civic reception hosted by the Government of Uttarakhand in Dehradun during her trip.

 

With this visit of hers, she had also desired to meet those women of Uttarakhand who are contributing towards the Social Development of the State.

Kavita Chaturvedi was one amongst the notable women representing her organization- Janki Devi Educational Welfare Society.

It was an enriching experience meeting the new face of India and a riveting conversation followed.

Kavita Chaturvedi explained her journey of 13 years of empowering the rural woman of Uttarakhand and making them economically strong by developing their skills in making various handicrafts of our native state.

The president applauded her efforts and termed her as “Naari Shakti” for all to know.

It was a highly memorable day and a huge step towards taking our organisation and its vision to the next step.

Dehradun Swachhta Champions 2023

We’re honoured to be awarded the Swatchta Champions of Dehradun by Nagar Nigam in the presence of our esteemed Mayor, Shri Sunil Gama and Commissioner Municipality.
Our organization has been working towards the betterment of our environment and this city through sustainable practices and abolishing plastic for more than a decade. It is wonderful to get acknowledged by the people.

Tree Plantation on World Environment Day

Tree Plantation at Kalinga park

In order to promote preservation of our environment JDEWS conduct a tree plantation drive on the occasion of World Environment day on 5 june 2019. On this occasion our chief Guest Mr.Devinder Singh Mann chairman of DOON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL planted saplings with us and congratulated us on the Environment Day as well as told about the need for preserving and protecting our nature.

In this different types of plants small and big and flowers and fruit bearing plants were planted by JDEWS members, and volunteers.

IFAD Training

Our NGO conducted training camps in the remote upper hills of Uttarakhand to the rural women in the villages of Rudraprayag and Augustyamuni. The program was sponsored by The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) which is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations.

100 women were given training on making various handicraft items to boost their livelihood opportunities.

Basic Computer Training Program

Project Background:

Keeping in mind the changing times, the need of the hour is to have basic computer education. Since, computers are becoming an integral part of our daily lives, knowing how to use one is a must these days. The basic objective of this program was to train the youth belonging to the weaker sections of the society who do not have an easy access to computer and thus find it difficult to operate one.

Project Implementation

The Basic Computer training program was conducted in association with the Samaj Kalyan Department and was conducted at the head office of Janki Devi Educational Welfare Society in Dehradun. The trainees were trained basics of computer like hardware, software, Operating system, MS Office etc. One batch of trainees comprised of 20 students and the entire course duration lasted for six months. The course module was followed as per the NIOS tailoring and stitching certificate program and the students were required to take an exam at the end of the six month course. The trainees were also given special lectures on personality development and how to work in a team environment.

Benefit for the trainees

  • Capacity building & empowerment
  • Know how of operating computer
  • Desktop Publishing and Data Entry skill development
  • Basic mannerism and leadership skills