Womens' Groups
Empowerment of women through the formation of self-help groups
and Mahila Mangal Dals is a core activity of CHIRAG. An umbrella organisation formed through CHIRAG's interventions,
the Uttaranchal Sangharsh Mahila Sangh (a federation of 30 womens SHG's) is also
helping develop these groups into social forces. Besides empowerment, financial
independence through savings, interloaning and income generation activities are
encouraged. Other issues implemented through these groups include natural resource management related work such as forestry (nursery raising and protection of plantations) and
general awareness programmes. There are at
present, over a hundred women's self help groups, many of which are linked with other CHIRAG
programmes such as the agriculture programme
