At GDS, we firmly believe that “Women’s Empowerment” is the cornerstone of impactful and sustainable socio-economic development programs. Without empowering women, genuine development remains a mere fantasy. From our inception, GDS’s organizational ethics, values, objectives, and strategies have been steadfastly rooted in the empowerment of women, as explicitly outlined in our mission statement. “Gender Equality” stands as a core value at GDS, paving the way for women’s empowerment as a strategic imperative in our programs.
In the complex landscape of empowerment, especially for women facing entrenched patriarchal systems, GDS stands as a beacon of change. Our multidimensional empowerment model breaks down social, economic, and political barriers, helping women assert their rights and entitlements. As women gain strength, communities thrive.
Key Strategies for Women Empowerment
Formation of Women-led Community Institutions
GDS organizes women into community institutions, believing it is the core of women’s empowerment. These institutions equip women with management and bookkeeping skills, empowering them to collectively analyze and solve problems.
Capital Base Formation and Access to Mainstream Welfare Schemes
Women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) practice saving and credit processes, gaining control over finances. GDS facilitates awareness and linkage with mainstream institutions for credit and other welfare schemes.
Capacity Building in Leadership
GDS provides structured training, exposure, and handholding support to build the capacities and confidence of group members in institution management and decision-making.
Right-Based Education & Entitlement
GDS focuses on building awareness of basic rights and entitlements among women through right-based literacy programs, aiming to reduce patriarchal abuses and violence against women.
Collective Social Actions
GDS supports collective actions on issues like atrocities and violence against women, social evils, and realization of rights by providing technical and managerial inputs.
Entrepreneurial Skill Development
Recognizing economic empowerment’s significance, GDS facilitates training to enhance women’s entrepreneurial skills, improving livelihoods and income management.
Self-regulation and Self-management
GDS facilitates well-structured training and handholding support for self-managed community institutions, with federations playing a vital role in organizing SHGs and maintaining saving–credit discipline.
At GDS, our commitment to women’s empowerment is not just a philosophy but a transformative force driving positive change in the lives of women, families, and communities.