OUR THEORY ON EMPOWERMENT
Establishing women's identity within the household is always the first step in facilitating gender equality and access to finance is an important tool for the same. While the organisation focuses on gender equality and access to finance it is also important to highlight that they are not mutually exclusive. The two areas are closely interwoven and WISE integrates this in its work with women.
The dictionary meaning of 'Empowerment' is the power given to someone to do something. Empowerment is the power within an individual to take control of one's life.
Chaitanya WISE believes that Empowerment is a phenomenon that involves behavioural change/transformation which includes four stages - Desire for Change, Means for Change, Action for Change and Acceptance for Change.
WISE aims that every woman that we work with attain seven milestones in their journey towards empowerment.
Watch Anita's journey below.
OUR APPROACH
WISE follows a multi - pronged approach to create the impact we desire to see in women's lives. We leverage women's collectives to facilitate access to resources to the urban population and even to the most rural and tribal population in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. For that purpose, our expertise remains in communisation and institution building around which our other activities revolve.
Institution Building
The institution platform is three tier in structure starting from SHGs, and then federating into Village Organisations and then federating into larger block level organisations. These are entirely governed by women and has strong financial and operational systems to
FEDERATION/BLOCK ORGANISATION
Large block level groups owned and managed by women that allow for an open exchange of ideas, information and experiences. Provides financial services and linkages with outside institutions. Contain around three to six thousand members.
VILLAGE ORGANISATION
Focused intermediate platform composed of 150-300 members (10-20 SHGs) to address social issues. Leaders often recommend services to federations to those who need additional support.
SELF HELP GROUP
Basic institution of development (village level) that provides a rudimentary platform for sharing information, financial services, legal advice, and the like. Generally conducted in small groups of 10 to 20 members.
Access to Finance
Financial Management for Community based Microfinance
WISE facilitates access to finance by
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Mobilising women into self help groups that act as the basic unit of this financial eco system of community micro finance.
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Setting up, maintaining and strengthening robust financial systems and processes for the community collectives.
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Facilitating Credit linkages for SHGs and Federations from other financial institutions
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Partnering with other self help group promoting institutions to increase outreach and promote the program.
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Partnering with banks and government to advocate policies.
Gender Inclusion & Equality
We believe that a self help group is the most empowering model for women in India. We continuously strive for a gender just equitable society.
Apart from the research evaluations and capacity building activities in gender, WISE integrates gender empowering practices in all its activities and endeavours.
Learning and Development
TECHNOLOGY
Technology has to go hand in hand with finance if we aim to reach the last mile. WISE designs and develops technology solutions that can provide all the stakeholders in the ecosystem a better experience.