Various studies, have shown that when we help women and empower them, the whole society benefits. Their families are healthier, children go to school, income levels improve and communities become more prosperous. But unfortunately in India, far from being empowered, most women are denied even their basic rights like health, education, employment and a respectable status in society.
According to UNDP Human Development Report (2009), 88% of pregnant women (age 15-49) were found to be suffering from anaemia. India has a dangerously imbalanced sex ratio, the chief reason being female infanticides and sex-selective abortions. According to UNICEF’s “State of the World’s Children-2009” report, 47% of India’s women aged 20–24 were married before the legal age of 18.
The youth comprises over one-third of the Indian population which in turn constitutes a major part of the labour force of the country. But according to the reports of the Financial Express “Only 15%of the young graduates passing out of colleges are employable; the rest are branded ‘unemployable’.”
It is not their lack of theoretical knowledge that causes this. Instead, it is the lack of right skills and attitude. There is thus, an increasing concern among the leading employers of the country, about the dearth of ready-to-deliver employees. In addition, the macro perspective affirms that, it is crucial for such young energy to be channelized correctly in economic growth and nation building to elude their addition to family woes, social stress and national misery.
Taal provides livelihoods with dignity for resource-poor women living in urban areas in India.
Our aim is to level the employment field for disadvantaged women by providing bold livelihoods options that enhance women’ economic status, dignity, and decision-making within their families.
To achieve this, our livelihood programmes focuses on generating sustainable livelihoods. This is done through capacity building, fostering community links and promoting small businesses. Taal puts special focus on entrepreneurial ventures, which are owned by women.
Taal through its livelihood programmes promotes microfinance, Self Help Groups, capacity building and small businesses. It also fosters linkages between community collectives and financial institutions. Taal also focuses on improving the literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills to promote sustainable livelihoods.
To ensure the transformation we work towards extends beyond the empowered women and their communities, we influence our Parnets to make non-traditional livelihood options with dignity universally accessible to women in India. We also advocate for the social concerns being considered in livelihood programmes for women.
Through our work we contribute to achieving the goal of economic and social equality for women in India.