A Case of SAMARTH: Experimenting With Unique Empowerment Model

Abstract

This case describes the vision of a founding person who has spent 15 years in the fields and wanted a change in lives of women and girls who were having the second status within their own families. The result of his vision has shaped very well into a movement spread across in many villages discussed thoroughly in the case study. The case’s objective is to review the unique empowerment model of SAMARTH through skill development program (free of cost sewing training and handholding) and find how it is developing the skill and confidence of the underprivileged girls and women. Ironically, even today, there is no targeted approach of connecting each and every family with some skills which can support their livelihoods. This experiment of doing the same in the SAMARTH intervention area has actually reflected great socio-economic results. This case shows how beneficiaries have developed a sense of ownership about the intervention and attained an initial level of entrepreneurship. The case is based upon observation, informal discussion with community members, and interviews of ten young women from the field area, and lots of reports made available from the agency’s office. Indeed, SAMARTH experiment with unique empowerment model based on skill training and confidence-building has given rich dividends and also created a positive impact in lives of hundreds of marginalized and downtrodden girls and women.