methodology

The Grameena Mahila Arthika Seva Kendra (GMASK) will have an administration and development wing at the project level. This set-up will need external support for a period of three years to meet its administrative and development expenses.

In the first phase of activity, GMASK will pool the idle funds of the apex level groups. It will establish linkages with all the Self Help Groups as part of a confidence-building exercise.

Linkages will be built with developmental projects of the state and central governments, particularly with the departments of women and child development; and social justice and welfare. All the benefits that are due to women in these schemes will be brought to the doorsteps of women in rural areas.

GMASK will develop linkages and working relations with financial institutions to mobilise funds at cheaper rates of interest than those charged at present. This will help retain financial expenses within the SHGs.

GMASK will develop its own set-up to impart training, build capacities and promote new SHGs to cover 80 percent of the women population in the project area. This set-up will concentrate on developing women animators with a flair for group developmental activities.

GMASK will utilise the expertise of PRAWARDA in developing itself as an autonomous body for capacity building activities. It will facilitate participation of people in all the programmes of PRAWARDA to bring about economic development of rural areas.

Women have been very reliable advocates of efficient Natural Resource Management (NRM) and in promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. GMASK will address this issue effectively.