Empowering Women
The status of women in India presents is complicated. In ancient times, men and women enjoyed equal standing, but the present scenario reveals persistent discrimination, social challenges, and incidents of abuse and crime against women. Prime Trust is firmly committed to addressing this disheartening reality by advocating for equal respect and opportunities for all women in society. As part of our efforts, we have initiated several initiatives, such as backing Self-Help Groups (SHGs), operating vocational training centers to empower women financially, and establishing a cost-effective daycare facility to alleviate the burden of family responsibilities.
Important events which we engage in annually include International Women's Day, which takes place on March 8th. On this day, we encourage members from all of our projects to participate. It is a chance for us to raise awareness and encourage women's empowerment, as well as an opportunity for people to speak their mind and build their self-confidence.
Vocational Training Projects
Prime Trust has established a number of facilities that provide vocational training, teaching women valuable skills that lead to financial stability and independence.
Tailoring and Handicraft Center
Founded in 2008, a training centre for tailoring was opened by Prime Trust. There, up till March 2020, the women could pay a minimal fee to get tutoring in sewing and clothes manufacturing. Since October 2020, and a new post-COVID era, we have been reviving our vocational trainings at our new Tailoring & Handicraft Center. After closing its doors due to the lockdown in March 2020, and shifting to a new location with more space and better working conditions, our volunteer Carine is training our team of three to five women who are all very keen on improving their skills and learning about design thinking. Read More |
Mat Weaving
Founded in coordination with Credit at People, a French nongovernmental organization specializing in microenterprise design, Prime Trust's mat weaving unit provided a secure facility, materials, machines, and training to a group of women for the production of doormats and other related products. Prime Trust no longer manages this project. However, the women continue with their work. Current production stands at approximately 2,000 mats per month, with supplemental earnings from mat sales increasing the disposable income of participants. |
Self-Help Groups & Microfinance
Prime Trust has been actively involved in extending microcredit to numerous self-help groups (SHGs) through its own program, in collaboration with its partner organization Akshaya, and with the support of several international sponsors. Since its establishment in 2002, Prime Trust, along with these diverse programs, has successfully provided loans and vocational training to over 1,000 women residing in Puducherry and the surrounding districts of Villupuram and Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. With a strong focus on transparency and a user-friendly application process, Prime Trust's microcredit program aims to strike a balance between efficient fund utilization and addressing the specific requirements of India's rural underprivileged population. Read more