Sudha, a woman residing in Abbalathi a Colony, Periyapatna Taluk, Mysore District, comes from an impoverished background, faced significant challenges within her household. Her husband restricted her movements and locked her inside the house, making it difficult for her to support her two daughters. However, Sudha’s life took a positive turn when women from her village visited her and encouraged her to join the sangha (community group) and federation. They assured her that these groups were specifically designed to support women like her who faced domestic difficulties and lacked support. Intrigued by the prospect of improvement, Sudha joined the sangha and federation about a year ago.
Despite her husband’s restrictions, Sudha secretly attended meetings and actively participated in the MOVE training organized by the Best Practices Foundation (BPF). Through the training, she experienced a newfound sense of empowerment and learned valuable business skills. Sudha particularly enjoyed the coin game, which taught her about target customers, required investments, and profit margins. The selling game was another favorite activity, where she successfully sold various items and was allowed to keep the profits, amounting to INR 53. This recognition bolstered her confidence and motivated her to explore further opportunities. Following the MOVE training, Sudha embarked on various entrepreneurial endeavors. She sold tapioca roots and earned over INR 1000, surprising herself with the potential for earnings. Additionally, she began selling oranges and invested in two sheep and two goats, employing a sheep herder for grazing. Sudha recognized the value of her excess kitchen garden produce and understood that even those vegetables could be sold. Her newfound independence not only improved her financial situation but also allowed her to play an equal role in decision-making within her household. She proudly declared that she could now stand up against her husband’s mistreatment, demonstrating her growing self-confidence.
Sudha expressed her gratitude towards BPF and her federation for conducting the MOVE training, which opened her eyes to various business opportunities. She encouraged other women, especially federation members, to participate in the training and start small businesses, even from home. Sudha believed that through these initiatives, women could become self-reliant and experience a shift in the balance of power, where women rise while men lose their dominance. Her personal transformation served as a testament to the impact of such training programs.