A Report on Training workshop for Women Self Help Groups on selected technologies of CIBA, Chennai.

Abstract

Keeping in view the multi dimensional role of women and full utilization of the women's potentiality in the development process, it is necessary to enhance their capacities, which will contribute to efficient human resources deployment. There is sufficient scope to improve the exposure of the developed technologies among the womenfolk engaged in fishing, aquaculture and other activities. This exercise needs to be undertaken in conjunction with identified self-help groups in selected districts. Keeping this in view, as a pilot attempt, this exercise was carried out in detail for three days at CIBA, Chennai, during 21-23 February, 2006 and 16-18 March, 2006. The SHGs are small informal associations created for the purpose of enabling members to reap economic benefits out of mutual help, solidarity, and joint responsibility. The benefits include, basically, obtaining savings and credit facilities, and pursuing group enterprise activities among the poor rural women. SHGS are also activity specific. The benefits of the training workshop are related to mobilising the women SHGs for constructive group action, improving their social and economic conditions, bringing changes in socio-cultural attitudes among men and women and creating awareness on selected technologies of CIBA, like shrimp feed development and crab fattening and stimulating government institutions to respond to the objectives and felt needs of the stakeholders. Fifty women participated in these workshops. The participants were from the 'Women Self Help Groups' of Ponneri, Kattur, Minjur and Palleveerkadu villages of Thriuvallur District. Their age group ranged from 20-50 yrs. The participants were provided with transport, boarding, lodging, and training kits. The Inauguration of the training workshop conducted during 21st-23rd Februrary 2006, was held on 21st February 2006 at Muttukadu Research Station of CIBA.