In the heartlands of Osmanabad, Maharashtra, a tale of empowerment and transformation is unfolding, guided by the steadfast leadership of Upamanyu Patil and the dedicated team at Swayam Shiksha Prayog (SSP). This is a story of resilience, innovation, and the unwavering commitment to empower women in climate-threatened communities, elevating them from the margins and into the mainstream.
The roots of SSP trace back to 1998 when the founders, Prema Gopalan and Sheela Patel formalised empowering women as the core of their mission. This took many forms: organising women in self-help groups, social enterprises and community led initiatives, in addition to enabling women leaders and entrepreneurs. Today, under the capable leadership of Upamanyu Pati, SSP offers a range of skill-building, livelihoods, agricultural, and health-enhancing opportunities to rural women, youth, and communities.
SSP met Osmanabad's challenges through responses that were both holistic and innovative. The organisation focused on bringing women into small micro-enterprises, supporting them in areas like market access, finance, and more. The team identified opportunities in sectors such as water, sanitation, health, and agriculture, providing a diverse range of options for women to enter businesses.
SSP specialises in women-led climate-resilient farming, energy, and environment. This specialisation arose from a sentiment that the organisation and the women themselves shared – they were an integral part of the environment and everything they did mattered. As the women continued to explore and understand the implications of their actions on the environment, SSP's programs evolved to incorporate a climate angle, making their impact more sustainable.
As SSP's programs were designed to empower women through various means like skill building, providing access to technology, and opening up marketing platforms, the ripple effect was immense: women, once confined to the margins, emerged as decision-makers. In some instances, they even influenced government policies, showcasing the transformative power of grassroots initiatives.
One remarkable aspect of SSP's approach is the emphasis on economic empowerment leading to social change. Women empowered through SSP's programs are not only contributing to their households but are also becoming catalysts for broader societal transformations. SSP's impact has been far-reaching, touching the lives of 600,000 individuals and fostering the development of 350,000 women leaders.
Nurturing resilience, fostering equality, and shaping a sustainable future for all – SSP stands tall as a testament to the strength and fortitude of women in the face of adversity. Upamanyu Patil's leadership and vision have played a pivotal role in reshaping the lives of women in drought-prone areas, reminding us that the power to catalyse change resides within every community.
To honour stories like Upamanyu Patil and SSP, AU Small Finance Bank presents Badlaav Humse Hai Season 2, in association with Network18. Just like the first season, Season 2 celebrates 25 stories that showcase changemakers whose unsung work has helped carve out cultural identities for communities, lifted them out of poverty; created access where only barriers existed; shown communities how to work with nature to create true sustainability; changed hearts and minds about othered communities; changed the lives of many through economic, social or educational empowerment, and much, much more.
Watch Season 2 of Badlaav Humse Hai for more stories like this one. You may also catch up on all the wonderful stories from Season 1.
Moneycontrol Journalists were not involved in the creation of the article.
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