Empowering Tibetan Women

By Tenzin Samten / August 19, 2016;

Participants with Women’s Desk Coordinator Ms Dechen
Photo: Tibet.net

A three-day training programme for women’s empowerment has been held, organised by the Women’s Empower Desk at the Tibetan government-in-exile’s Home Department.

Sixteen women from the Doeguling Tibetan settlement participated in the programme which took place at the Doeguling Tibetan settlement in Mungod in Karnataka state from August 12 – 14 and introduced them to the concept of the Women’s Self Help Group (SHG). The programme aims to empower economically and socially marginalised women by introducing them to the concept of SHG. Mrs Mohini Pooja, Director of Tribal Education and Environment Development, held training sessions on the concept, function, importance and practice of SHG and at the end of the training session two women’s SHG groups were formed: Lhamo-Chiphen SHG and Dolma-Chikdril SHG. The groups will be awarded seed money of one Lakh by the Home Department to start income generating activities and an internal loaning system.

Trainer Mrs Mohini Poojary
Photo:Tibet.net

Ms Dechen Wangmo, Coordinator of Women’s Empowerment Desk, said that Self Help Groups consist of a group of 10 to 20 like minded and economically insecure people. She explained that the priority for this programme is women who are either windowed or divorced and who are economically disadvantaged and that they will be supported in starting income generating activities.She added that the women’s self-help groups will focus on creating a space for a group to come together to solve common problems by discussing issues and initiating income generating activities.

The Women’s Empowerment Desk is looking forward to setting up SHGs in more Tibetan communities in exile in the coming years.

Participants taking part in training activity
Photo: Dechen

Ms Dechen also spoke of future training initiatives, saying that a workshop on entrepreneurship and women empowerment for the Institute for Small Traders and Learning in Neelamangala in Bangalore is planned for September, as well as a workshop on preventive measures for violence against women and children.