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AIDWA calls for rethink on formation of self-help groups

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR DEC. 16. Holding that there cannot be women's empowerment without addressing the issues of the country's poor women, the All India Democratic Women's Association has demanded a rethink on the concept of formation of women self-help groups across the country. Addressing a press conference here today, the AIDWA general secretary, Brinda Karat, said women SHGs were sought to be made the arms of the ruling parties in several States. Although the SHGs were aimed at improving the lot of women, the whole concept had become a populist slogan with the State Governments not paying attention to the core issues concerning women, particularly those belonging to the poor families, Ms. Karat observed.

She alleged that SHGs were being formed on the basis of caste with an eye on vote banks. In many cases, they were extended loans based on whether they have been formed by women belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes or above poverty line or below poverty line families, she said.

The SHG movement was losing its meaning as the women belonging to poor families were not able to save as they were not getting any work to earn their livelihood, she said. This had led to a high dropout rate in the case of SHGs having poor women as members. Ms. Karat said that a large number of SHGs were not getting loans from banks even though the same groups had deposited their savings with them.

Further, the banks were utilising that money for other purposes. Attacking the ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, Ms. Karat said that there cannot be good governance without addressing women's issues.

Reiterating the three concerns of women — kaam, anaaj and suraksha (work, food and security), she demanded that the poor women be provided employment, food security and security in homes. "Three women getting elected as Chief Ministers does not mean empowerment of the women population,'' she observed. She criticised the NDA Government's instructions to the States to reduce the number of those living below the poverty line by 10 per cent.

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