Good Business, Doing Good - Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India - Swasti
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Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
Good Business,
Doing Good
Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India
Good Business,
Doing Good
Stories of change from the
ISBN: 982-81-908417-4-0
Women in Factories program, India
Copyright: This document may be produced in whole or part without the permission of Swasti,
provided full source citation is made available and reproduction is not for commercial purposes.
Suggested citation: Swasti, 2014, Good Business, Doing Good Shama Karkal, Meera Devi
No of Copies: 500
No of pages: 50
Year of Publication: December 2014
Publisher’s address:
Catalyst Management Services
#36, Bhoopsandra Main Road
Bangalore - 560094
Design and layout: The Pen and Mouse, 2014
Photo credits: Julian Joseph K. G.
For more information or additional copies, please contact
Swasti
19, 1st Main, 1st Cross
Ashwathnagar
Bangalore 560094
Ph: +91-80-23419616
Email: contactus@swasti.org
The Women in Factories Program is made possible through funding from the Walmart
Foundation. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation launched the factory training program to
provide training to 60,000 women in 150 factories in India, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Honduras
and China by the end of 2016. The Women in Factories Program is part of the larger Walmart
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Initiative which aims to train nearly one million
women, increase sourcing from women, and in doing so improve the lives of underserved women
around the world.
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
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4
Preface
The Women in Factories (WiF) Program 5
About this collection 5 Having worked with the women, in factories, over three years, we have had
Section 1 - Personal and Family level changes 7 the opportunity to be part of their journey and watch their transformation.
Catalyzing change 9 The process of collecting and telling their stories has been another learning
A wave of optimism 11 experience for us. It gave us an opportunity to see the ripple effect as a result of
Moving on 12 the application of the skills. The strength of the women has been truly inspiring;
Finding her voice 13 not only did they overcome their own challenges, but have been willing to take
Angry no more 15 on new ones – gender discrimination, violence etc. – within their families or
A new chapter 16 communities.
A turnaround 17
Re-thinking Health 18 There are many people who worked to bring this publication together. Our
A role model 19 gratitude is due to the management and staff of the fifteen factories who
Taking charge 20 provided their support and cooperation for implementation of the Program as
Standing tall 22 well as collection of the stories. The WiF has been possible only because of the
Section 2 - Professional level changes 23 team that has worked on it over the past three years. Special thanks to Usha
Learning to lead 25 Rani, Programme Manager - Karnataka, Meera Devi, Programme Manager
Polishing a diamond 25 - Tamil Nadu, Ashok Vittal and Shankar A. G., Managers - Training and
Breaking the silence 27 Development, for their commendable support and coordination. Our gratitude
Leading the way 27 to all the Capacity Building Officers - S. Thangakani, K. Padmavathi, Sukanya
Climbing the ladder 28 R., Sushma B. S., Sathish K. N., Arvind Kumar, Hiral Parmar, Arpita Dave,
Workers’ Representative 29
Priyanka R. S., Sandya G. S., and Ranjita P., who interviewed the women and
Overcoming disability 30
documented their stories.
Blooming confidence 31
Sky is the Limit 33 This final publication would not have seen the light of day had it not been for
Metamorphosis 34 Yashika Sukhramani, Sanjana Shelar and Sweta Das who helped with analyzing
Manager in waiting 34 and editing of all the stories.
Carrying it forward 35
An all-rounder 36 Finally, our gratitude to the women themselves. We hope that this collection
No barrier for learning 37 of stories provides others an opportunity to understand and become part of the
Rebirth 38 journey of change, for women in factories.
Conclusion 39
References 41
Shama Karkal
Abbreviations and Acronyms 42
Meera Devi
Glossary 43
Annexures 44
Annex 1 - List of factories in Phase I 44
Annex 2 - Tool for collecting case studies 45
Annex 3 - Framework for collection of case studies 50
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Introduction
Section
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Introduction
Introduction The Women in Factories (WiF)
Program
Financial and Functional Literacy, Gender
and Leadership.
The Women in Factories program aims to help The Training of Trainers is designed to sustain
W
ith approximately 25 percent of the women achieve: the ‘Women in Factories’ program and its
the population living in poverty, outcomes, beyond the funding period, and to
• Improved knowledge on life skills facilitate the scale up and replication of the
limited participation of women in
(communication, health, negotiation model in other units of the factories. For the
the workforce (rates ranging from 14 percent
skills, etc.) and improved ability to Training of Trainers’ sessions, two or three
in urban to 26 per cent in rural areas) and only
implement it people are selected from each factory. The
eight percent of the micro, small and medium-
enterprises being owned by women (ICRW • Improved social and economic standards Training of Trainers’ session is organized for a
2012), there is significant potential in India duration of 17 days spread across 7 months.
• Improved ability to convert opportunities
for increasing women’s economic participation One of the key systems that have been put
into actions
and their contribution to equitable, inclusive in place to ensure ownership of the Program,
and sustainable development. Phase I of the program in India has been is the establishment of the Collaborative
implemented in 15 factories across the Planning and Implementation Team (CPIT).
Social factors play a significant role in
three states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu CPITs have been set up in all factories within
reducing women’s labor participation in India.
and Gujarat, between November 2011 and the WiF program, to plan and review the
In many parts of the country, restrictions are
November 2014. The key components of intervention on a periodic basis.
imposed on the mobility of women outside the
the Women in Factories (WiF) program
household, thus limiting their opportunities. About this collection
developed and implemented by Swasti
The other factors that prevent female labor
are: Enablers Orientation, Foundational Women, their families, colleagues and
participation in India, include the lack of Given this context, the Women In Factories
Training, Advanced Training and Training of supervisors have reported changes - big and
education and skills, absence of suitable program, which is being implemented in
Trainers (ToT). The Foundational Training is small - during the course of the Program.
employment opportunities and male-female India by Swasti as part of the Global Women’s
conducted for all men and women workers in This collection is an attempt to document
wage disparities. Economic Empowerment Initiative (GWEEI)
the factory for a duration of 15 hours, covering the changes that the “Women in Factories”
of Walmart Foundation, aims to empower
Gender discrimination is a critical factor that basic topics like communication, managing program contributed to, at personal and
women workers in the manufacturing sector,
has been detrimental to the development of work and career, gender, health and workers professional levels.
to attain their full potential and enhance their
women across India. It has not only negatively role in the supply chain.
capacities. It does this by providing relevant Only factories covered in Phase 1 of the
influenced the growth of women, but has
life skills, building positive attitudes and The Advanced Training covers 130 women program have been included for
excluded their productive contribution in
practices, that contribute towards the holistic in each factory in two cohorts (65 in each documentation. (Annex 1 - List of Factories).
national development. Patriarchal values
development of an individual, resulting in cohort). The first cohort is trained exclusively Women who had completed both the
and power structures have put women in a
improved performance and facilitating career by the Swasti team. The respective factory Foundational and Advanced Training from
subordinate position and thus limited their
growth. This global initiative was designed to teams train the second cohort, after they all three regions – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
participation in the decision making process,
address women workers’ needs in the supply are adequately trained under the Training and Gujarat – were selected and interviewed
within their homes and outside. Gender roles
chain of the production sector and is being of Trainers program. Participants of the in October and November 2014.
and responsibilities not only decide power
implemented simultaneously in Bangladesh, Advanced Training are selected on the basis of A tool was developed to collect
relations but also leave women with no
Latin America (Honduras, El Salvador) and predefined selection criteria. The Advanced to interview the women and
access to resources and no authority to make
China. Training is an 100 hours module that covers develop case studies based on
decisions that influence their own lives.
five major themes – Health, Communication, the study framework. (Annex 2
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
- Tool for data collection and Annexure 3 - Case
Personal and Family level changes
study framework). Swasti’s Capacity Building
Officers (CBOs), who are part of the program
implementation, interviewed the women over a
two week period and collected information. The
interviews collected from the women were analyzed
across the different parameters listed in the study
framework. Based on the information collected
from the women, key changes were identified and
categorized into either personal or professional.
While most women reported changes in both, each
story has only been placed in one section based on
where the most significant change was reported.
Though the study framework looked at change
at the factory management level, these were
not collected systematically and have not been
included in this document. This is an area that we
hope to address in another document, at a later
stage of the program.
The collection of stories is in two sections - Personal
and Family level changes and Professional changes.
Each section begins with a summary, followed by
individual stories of women. Names of women,
their colleagues and family members have been
retained as collected; consent for the same has
been obtained from the women and the factories.
While personal information about the women,
their families and circumstances were collected
and used for analysis, these have not been retained
unless specifically relevant to the changes that
are described. The focus is on narrating changes
subsequent to their participation in the Women in
Factories program.
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
Section 1 etc. was also shared with family members and
neighbors.
Catalyzing change
Personal and Family level Financial constraints along with the lack of
knowledge and skills on financial management
Mala recalls being stressed constantly
- at work and at home. She lacked the
changes were a common challenge. Increased
knowledge on financial planning, budgeting,
confidence to speak to her co-workers and
supervisors, and at the same time became
T
savings and investments along with a change easily irritated with them. She was even
here are many theories on what them understand their skills, options, rights in habits has not only allowed them spending scared to pick up her monthly salary. Her
factors contribute to individual and barriers to their goals. Opportunities flexibility but also provided them means to lack of confidence was compounded by
behavioral changes. Attitude, intent within the program allowed them to express fulfill their goals. Women reported increased her lack of knowledge. She did not know
and motivation, knowledge, skill and the their thoughts and opinions. The women were savings and diversification of instruments for the factory’s rules and regulations and was
environment are common elements of these not mere spectators but active participants. saving and investment. reprimanded for not following them.
theories and attempting behavioral change
Women reported significant change in their Finally and most significantly, women reported All this combined, left her unmotivated.
often requires addressing all of these elements.
outlook. Moving from being indifferent, being able to change power-equations at home Her day at the factory was tense and she
Often knowledge and skill can be increased,
feeling overburdened or frustrated to sharing and participate in decision-making. With a brought that tension home, quarreling with
but improving attitude or motivation is easier
responsibilities at home and taking interest in refreshed and pragmatic understanding of her husband, children and mother-in-law.
said than done.
family activities is a common thread across the gender issues, women reported feeling more Her home life was not stress-free as she did
Women we spoke with, reported a range different stories. Communication techniques content and satisfied with their lives. not communicate well with her husband
of changes - improved self-esteem and were put into practice and women reported and took all the household chores upon
confidence, assertiveness, improved becoming more assertive and being able to herself. As a result, she often carried the
communication, enhanced knowledge etc. negotiate their way, both at home and work. tension from home into the workplace.
These are significant not only because change Women with disabilities were able to use
is not easy, but because of the circumstances communication techniques to overcome some Mala says WiF program helped her
that these women come from. A majority of of the challenges they were facing and progress change her life - by teaching her how to
the women reported difficult circumstances professionally. For some, the renewed strength communicate, manage stress, and monitor
either during their childhood or in their and confidence they derived from the program health and nutrition better. She has started
marriage - inability to pursue their studies also helped them to live independently and to take care of her family’s health by
due to financial constraints, mental and/or face unexpected challenges of life. In some making sure they eat nutritious food, drink
physical abuse at the hands of an alcoholic cases, better stress management in turn helped clean water, and keep their house clean.
father or husband etc. Financial insecurity to mend family relationships. Many reported Mala now prepares different varieties of
and the double burden of work at home that heated arguments had reduced and there nutritious foods for breakfast, lunch, and
and factory, were often a reason for stress was increased tolerance with family members dinner, which her children love and have
and anxiety. Women recalled being bitter, ill and colleagues. complimented her for. She also bought a
tempered, abusive, and unable to handle their water filter because, “The training made
Improved knowledge on health and hygiene me realize the importance of clean water.
anger. This was expressed at work - fights with
has allowed women to make significant Now I make sure everyone drinks only
the supervisors and difficulties with colleagues
changes in their habits and health-seeking filtered water.” Her husband and children
were not uncommon.
behavior. Information on women’s health appreciate her efforts in keeping them
The WiF program helped to build up their such as pregnancy, childbirth, family planning healthy.
confidence over a period of time, helping methods, child development, sexual health,
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
Mala reports that her relationship with her helped her find a solution to the problem. A wave of optimism Saroja today plans every meal and ensures
husband has improved. Mala’s husband has Mala’s neighbors know that they can come that her mother cooks a balanced diet,
begun to change his style of communication to her for accurate knowledge about basic “I was left with no hope for my life- only taking on the task of shopping for vegetables
as he has seen Mala changing her own. He women’s health issues. They appreciate despair, and used to think that I would never every alternate day. “I have shifted to using
has observed Mala sharing her learning with her knowledge on issues such as how to achieve anything in my life”, remembers sanitary napkins after learning about the life
others, and how that has brought people maintain hygiene during menstruation, Saroja. This feeling permeated everything threatening infections that one can get from
close to her. He observes how they come which is one of the many things Mala has she did. Saroja was often absent from work, using cloth that is not cleaned well. I motivate
and share their problems with Mala and learned through the training. The respect completed tasks for the sake of completing women and young girls in my neighborhood to
how she tries to give suggestions. He has also of her neighbors has given Mala greater them - whether it was instructions from use sanitary napkins; spending some money
observed how she speaks confidently at the self-confidence. “Now I lead my local SHG,” her supervisor or eating her food. Saroja today is better than fighting deadly diseases
factory and at home. The changes in Mala’s says Mala. “I share my learning with the group confesses that she had no interest in later”, says Saroja.
demeanor have prompted him to change members. They see and appreciate the changes anything and did not use safety tools at
Saroja has understood that women can
his own. He listens more to Mala, and the in me. I feel happy and fearless.” her factory before attending the life-skills
have their own desires in life and an ideal
two of them have now discussions about training sessions.
At the base of her improved work, family, life partner should support and motivate
their children’s future. Mala has spoken to
and community life, is Mala’s ability to take Today, Saroja has transformed into a his wife to fulfill those desires. She says, “I
him at length about gender equality that
care of herself. The training has given her confident and responsible individual, who would like to join politics if possible and would
she learned in the trainings. She wants to
the desire, skills and self-confidence to take helps her mother with household chores like to work on issues of domestic violence.”
make sure that both her daughters and her
better care of her physical and emotional and gives due respect to elders in the family
son are well educated and get the same Saroja now keeps a proper track of her
health. Mala says that she no longer skips and her neighborhood.
opportunities - an opportunity she had income and expenditure and regularly saves
breakfast, takes care to eat nutritious food
sacrificed so her brothers could study. “I was addicted to alcohol and drugs since Rs. 1000 in a bank account. She regularly
and drink clean water, all of which have
quite some time, but through her counseling, prays in order to deal with her anxiety and
Mala and her husband now prepare the made her stronger, better able to take care
I have given up these life threatening habits”, stress, and feels that helping others helps
budget together using the financial skills of her family and work more at the factory.
says Saroja’s father. Saroja’s father today her in turn as well. She enjoys the process
she has learned, and are planning how to
motivates his many friends to give up alcohol where family members collectively make a
save for their children’s education. They
addiction. Saroja’s father appreciates his budget and ensure that it is implemented.
plan to invest in an education policy, which
daughter publicly, motivating her. Saroja “I would like to share the learning’s of the life-
Mala learned about through the training.
also helped her mother to recover from skills program in schools and public domains”,
Mala’s husband has also started to help her
similar feelings of despair and hopelessness. concludes Saroja
in some of the household chores.
She spends time with her parents and
Mala has gained the respect of her friends talks to them about the positive aspects
and acquaintances because she shares her of life in general, asks about her parents’
recently acquired knowledge about health daily routines, their problems and tries
and nutrition, especially about women’s to resolve them. They have also started
health including pregnancy and family having healthy discussions on social issues
planning, with her neighbors. Recently, and daily events happening in the country.
one of her friends had a problem related to Saroja has managed to get her father help
family planning, and Mala was the one who with household chores.
suggested that she consult a doctor. Mala
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
Moving on has become very sensitive in choosing her she takes her children for shopping and to Finding her voice
words while interacting with others. “I used the fair”, reports Bhagyalakshmi’s mother.
Bhagyalakshmi’s troubled childhood and to use abusive language with people, when Bhagyalakshmi has used her new knowledge Netravati was always very quiet and would
marriage had left her as a frustrated and I was irritated which was quite often, but and confidence to seek a share in her cry if someone spoke loudly or angrily. She
aggressive individual, at home and work. after understanding different communication husband’s property – she has filed a case in would get angry easily, but was afraid to
She says, “I was a very self-centered individual, styles and its impact, I ensure that I use court in order to protect the interests of her say anything. She would not mingle with
who didn’t care about my mother’s health polite words that do not hurt anybody”, says two children. others and never participated in festivals or
and didn’t help her with household chores. I Bhagyalakshmi. functions – at home or work. Her family was
Bhagyalakshmi changed the school her
even beat my children to vent my stress and exasperated with her and Netravati reports
She recognizes her mother’s old age issues children were studying in, from a private
frustration.” Bhagyalakshmi expressed her being scared of interacting with others and
and provides her psychological support to a government one, and has successfully
frustration by not eating her meals and not knowing how to control her emotions.
apart from helping her in household chores. reduced her household expenditure. She
sleeping empty stomach quite often. “I
Bhagyalakshmi feels very grateful for the now invests the saving for her children’s Her personality has changed completely
had become angry with the entire world for
knowledge on nutrition; her children often higher education, has a bank account and after the two levels of the WiF program.
the atrocities that were inflicted on me by my
had dysentery but now she knows how uses even an ATM machine. “I earlier used to She now talks with her team members and
husband and was trying to take revenge every
to prevent and manage it. She now cuts spend money on many unnecessary things but has friends at her factory; she is not afraid
day in search of peace”, says Bhagyalakshmi.
her and her children’s nails regularly and now I spend with a future plan and vision which to talk even with her supervisors now.
Bhagyalakshmi’s entire worldview changed drinks only boiled water. She ensures that has helped me save money.” Bhagyalakshmi
Netravati reports that her confidence stems
after attending the foundational and her bathroom is always clean and dry. She has also started a petty jewelry business in
from the training program, specifically
advanced training course. She is more also ensures her family eats vegetables and order to supplement her income, which she
the graduation ceremony held at the end
optimistic now and believes in facing her fruits, and has added millets to their meals. thinks has enhanced her marketing skills.
of the training. She was chosen to be the
challenges rather than letting the challenges
Bhagyalakshmi has begun to share her Bhagyalakshmi is now comfortable sharing master of ceremonies, and no one, not
erode her strength and confidence. She
knowledge on nutrition, importance of rest, her everyday struggles with her children, even Netravati thought that she would do
etc. with women which has brought them closer. They help a good job. However, she says, the trainers
and girls in her relieve her stress by dancing and singing encouraged her, and the things she had
neighborhood. with her. “I now have a rapport with my learned helped her to speak confidently. All
She feels that children and take good care of them. I see of her co-workers were astonished to see
such constructive love and concern in their eyes and deeds. Netravati, who had always been so quiet
dialogues have Earlier they were scared of me, but now they and easily scared, up on stage, anchoring
also enhanced respect me and support me in small ways such the entire ceremony. Netravati says that
her social circle as cleaning vessels and accompanying me to the experience made her believe in herself.
and respect in the the market. Overall a peaceful environment “I am proud of myself. I was appreciated for
neighborhood. prevails at home now. I feel confident and know organizing the graduation ceremony of the
that as a human being with equal rights, I do Women in Factories program, especially by the
“My daughter
not need to kneel down to anybody”, wraps up higher management, and they have informed
was earlier scared
Bhagyalakshmi. me that they will approach me to organize such
to venture out
events in the future.” She says that
with her children
her husband, too, is proud of
alone, but now,
her, and shares the story of her
after the training,
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
success with all their relatives and friends. husband now discuss all expenses and Angry no more Nagaveni is also taking care of her financial
Netravati has discovered that she likes budget together, so that they never have to health. While she previously left it all to her
anchoring programs a lot, and is considering face their earlier difficulties. Nagaveni was easily angered. She could husband, she now sits down with him to
taking up a part-time anchor’s job on a local not stand to be corrected by her supervisors plan the budget every month. She says that
Netravati has gained the confidence and
news channel to further her interest. She at work and quarreled constantly with her this is one of the things that have drawn
the knowledge to ask for a more equal
says that the job interests her also because husband at home. When she was angry, she her and her husband together. Nagaveni
relationship with her husband. He now
the training has given her the awareness to could not control herself – being rude to feels that she has become more responsible
shares the household work with her and
critique what she watches on TV, and not her supervisors, shouting at her husband or with her money these days, cutting down
consults her in all major decisions. Her
blindly accept what is being shared on TV. beating her children. on unnecessary expenses such as junk
husband says, “Netravati is more confident
Netravati is assertive with her children and now and is capable of solving her own and food and fancy clothes. She used to buy
Nagaveni has managed to transform
husband. She takes a greater interest in others’ problems.” She has made sure to expensive saris without considering if she
herself. She now stops herself from reacting
her children’s studies and makes sure that teach, not just her daughters but also all could afford them, when she went shopping
instinctively and controls her anger. She
they are studying as they should. She has the girls in her neighbourhood about sexual with her mother. She no longer does that,
also been able to convince her husband harassment and about “good touch” and uses the simple techniques taught to her
choosing cheaper clothes in order to fit into
to control his anger. “He used to get angry “bad touch”. She also proactively went to in the training, such as drinking a glass of
the budget she has. Nagaveni’s reduction
and shout at me and others but since the time her daughters’ school and asked the teacher water, or keeping quiet when someone is
in spending has not, however, made her a
I advised him that by shouting nothing would to allow her to conduct a session for the shouting at her.
complete home buddy. She still loves to go
work out, only his health would get spoilt, he girls on “good touch” and “bad touch”. out, and makes sure that her husband and
Nagaveni has also learned how to
has reduced shouting and controls his anger Netravati says that the training has made children do too. She persuades them to go
communicate better with others around
better”, she says. Netravati now has the her determined to support the women in
her. She speaks much more kindly to her out of the house on sundays, something
courage to stand up even to her mother-in- her neighborhood. When she noticed that
family, which has been noticed, leading her that makes her happy and manage stress.
law. her landlady faced a lot of violence at the
brother to say, “Thank god you have changed
hands of her drunkard husband, she went Not only has she managed to share household
At home, Netravati has put into practice your style of talking. Now you handle situations
to her home, consoled her, and advised chores with her husband and children, she
the knowledge she has gained on health well!.” While she previously stayed away
her to take her husband to a de-addiction also remembered the “Bell Bajao” campaign
and financial literacy. She now goes for a from her neighbors, she now shares her
center. She also helped a widowed woman to help her neighbor. When she heard her
walk every day, eats more nutritious food knowledge about health and other matters,
in her neighborhood whose in-laws were neighbor abusing his wife, she sent her son
and prepares a variety of dishes for her
trying to drive her out of her house. The and listens to them when they come to her
spouse and children. She has talked to to knock on the door to ask for help with
woman had two young children and was with their problems. As a result, many of
her daughters about menstruation and mathematics homework! This stopped the
very scared. Netravati brought the incident her neighbors come to her for advice.
reproductive health issues, as much as abuse at that time.
to the attention of the Swasti team, who
they can understand at their age. With her Nagaveni recalls eating out with her
is working to find a legal solution to the
husband, she has started to plan for their children regularly. This has now changed,
woman’s problem.
daughters’ future education. She says that with Nagaveni cooking the majority of her
they are both much more cautious with Netravati says that her perception of herself family’s meals at home and ensuring that
their money now. “We have bought a new and what she can do has changed. She feels she and her children drink two glasses of
book to maintain accounts. Expense of even a more confident and focused, and enjoys milk a day. She has also started to go to
single rupee is recorded, so that we can track her work and home life more. Netravati’s the doctor when someone is ill, rather
our expenses. This way, we can maintain a greatest joy is in teaching her daughters all than approaching the local chemist’s shop
better relationship with my husband’s family that she has learned as she wants them to directly without a prescription.
as well”, reports Netravati. She and her have a bright future.1
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Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
A new chapter The training also gave Manjula the skills A turnaround opened recurring and fixed deposits in
to manage her finances better. She has the bank, to save money for emergencies.
Manjula believes that the Women in Factories begun saving regularly in a bank account by Manisha used to hold herself aloof from the She is also planning to buy jewelry for
(WiF) program helped her discover her inner budgeting her expenses prudently. She has family, locking her things so no one could her daughters, a little at a time, that can
strength and to realize the importance of life. also taken an educational insurance policy use them and eating alone rather than eventually be used for their wedding.
for her son. She aspires for him to study sharing her meals with the family. She did Manisha aspires to buy her own vehicle and
Manjula was able to confide her emotional
much more than she herself could and not have a very cordial relationship with home, and has started saving and planning
trauma with the WiF trainer and felt much
hopes that he becomes a doctor. her husband or her in-laws. for those too. She also speaks to the women
lighter after sharing. She realized the
in her neighborhood regularly about
importance of communication and that In the long term, Manjula hopes that after Now, she makes an effort to become
saving and other issues related to financial
bottling up her feelings was only aggravating working for another five years or so she can involved with her family. She has started to
planning.
her problems. return to her native village and live with spend more time at home, to eat her meals
her husband and son again. She believes with her family, and to communicate more Manisha used to believe that women were
Manjula is using her new communication skills
that recalling the key points of the WiF amicably with them. She has also started to inferior to men and incapable of achieving
to rebuild her relationships with her husband
training in difficult situations has helped take part in the decisions about problems as much as them. This belief has been
and her mother-in-law. She believes they
her successfully face many challenges in at home, rather than leaving them to reversed and she now treats her daughters
have developed an understanding between
her life. By applying what she has learned her husband. She expresses her views on the same as she did her son, giving them
themselves that has led to a better marriage.
in the training, Manjula has gained the important matters as necessary and in an equal attention. She has convinced her
She has learned to keep her composure when
respect and appreciation of people in her appropriate way. Her husband and children husband to do the same, and to share some
her mother-in-law tries to needle her; as a
family. She looks towards the future with are very happy with this change. Her of the household chores with her.
result, the issues they have do not result in
confidence and a sense of peace. pleased mother-in-law says, “Now she takes
fights any longer. Even her neighbors, who Manisha believes that the training has
care of me more than ever.”
earlier disparaged her, have noticed and changed her attitude towards others
commented upon the change in her attitude Manisha says that the training made her completely. It has taught her to listen to
and behavior. more conscientious about keeping her others, be considerate of them, to try to
home neat and clean. She also makes others find amicable solutions to problems, and
Manjula’s improved knowledge of sexual
in her neighborhood aware about health to keep calm in times of crisis. This has
health and safer sex practices has given her
and hygiene issues including common greatly influenced her relationships at
the confidence and the desire to tentatively
misconceptions about women’s health. work, at home and in her neighborhood.
rebuild her physical relationship with her
Recently, she was able to use the things she She feels that what she has learned in the
husband. This is one of the things that have
learned in the training to help a pregnant training has helped her gain the respect
helped bridge the gap between husband and
neighbor to take care of herself and have a and affection of the people around her.
wife and has led to a better marriage. Through
safe delivery. She encouraged the woman to A grateful Manisha says, “I thank Swasti,
the training, Manjula also learned about family
go to the hospital, eat properly, and to write Welspun and the Walmart Foundation for
planning methods, which motivated her to go
down numbers of various emergency health giving me an opportunity to attend this training.
and have a tubectomy. She has begun to eat
services so that if any complications arose, It has totally changed my life.”
better, consuming more fruits and vegetables
she would be safe.
because she now knows how important good
nutrition is for maintaining good health and Putting new knowledge on financial
warding off diseases. planning to use, Manisha has started
budgeting her household expenses and1
18 19
Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
Re-thinking Health her new perspectives and efforts towards A role model health. Padma says that she can see the
cooking. Her sister in- law has also been results, as all three of them are healthier
When Renuka initially joined the life skills keen to learn about balanced meals and Padma was middle-aged; not in very good and more energetic now. The training has
training program, managing time for the Renuka feels that teaching her has boosted health and was quite known among her given Padma a good understanding of basic
foundational course was a challenge. She is her confidence even further. colleagues for being rude. She was frequently health and hygiene measures as well as
elated to report that over a period of time, absent from work without permission and what health resources are available in the
Renuka has saved money on a regular basis
with intense counseling and discussions would get aggressive when questioned. local area. Padma found the courage to
in the last year and recently bought and
undertaken with her family members, they During peak production times; when she speak with her mother-in-law and convince
installed a water filter with her savings.
understood the significance of the trainings was asked to do extra work, she would get her that giving birth to daughters is not a
She feels grateful to WalMart Foundation,
and supported her , allowing her to manage angry and refuse. Padma remembers that mistake. Her daughters are not less than
Swasti and her factory management for
time effectively. “It was my husband who she struggled to deal with stress at work and boys and she has instilled this attitude into
the opportunity to set goals for her family
was able to see many positive changes in me, would be irritable at home. She would speak her daughters as well. She has also talked
and the support to achieve them. She
motivated me to join the advanced training angrily with her daughters and sometimes to her husband about gender equality; as
feels that the sessions on health, finances
course and peer educator’s training”, says beat them. She argued with her husband a result, he now lends her a hand in the
etc. would have been incomplete without
Renuka. and resented having the sole responsibility household chores, as do her daughters.
the negotiation and communication skills.
for all the household chores. She also had
The sessions on sexual and reproductive These skills are essential to bring on-board Padma put her new knowledge about health,
an unhappy relationship with her mother-
health allowed Renuka to make some the family members and make important gender issues, and social security to good
in-law, who blamed her for not bearing any
important changes. She earlier used cloth changes. use by helping one of her supervisors obtain
sons.
during her menstruation, but after learning a ration-card. A co-worker’s husband was
Renuka is enthusiastic about being a peer
about the negative effects of improperly Padma says that before the training, “I diagnosed with cancer and Padma used her
educator and looks forward to sharing her
cleaned cloth, she has shifted to using used to be confused and struggled to arrive knowledge to obtain benefits under the ESI
life skills with her colleagues at the factory.
sanitary pads, which she changes every at solutions for the problems I faced.” The scheme, helping them with admission to
6 hours. “As a result of the communication training taught Padma how to deal with an ESI hospital. When further treatment
sessions during the training, I am confident day to day situations, using simple skills like proved necessary, Padma helped them to
and not reluctant to share my problems communication, financial management, get Rs. 1,60,000 through the ESI scheme
related to reproductive health with the doctor”, working with other people. “Post training and obtain further treatment at Narayana
shares Renuka. Today she educates and my communication style has changed. I now Hrudayalaya hospital in Bangalore.
motivates her family members, neighbors practice assertive communication techniques
“For the first time in the 18 years that we
and many young girls to not to shy away with my daughters. I listen to them and have
have been married, my husband and I have
from consulting a doctor for reproductive stopped scolding and beating them. Now my
started to make a budget together,” Padma
health issues as it can be life threatening, children and other family members respect
states proudly. They have started a savings
if ignored. me and the relationships within my family
account at the post office and save Rs.700
have strengthened. We are much happier than
The meaning of ‘Health is Wealth’ has every month. “We now practice collective
before.”, says Padma
finally dawn on Renuka. By successfully decision making and have started planning for
following a nutritious diet, she has Padma also talks with her daughters about our daughters’ future,” Padma says. After
increased her hemoglobin levels from 10 g/ personal and menstrual hygiene, the value the training, for the first time in her
dL to 12.5 g/dL in the past year. She feels of nutritious food etc. She and the girls life, Padma set financial goals for
thrilled when her husband appreciates have started to take better care of their herself – to buy a two-wheeler1
20 21
Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
and to build a house. She purchased the Taking charge that her daughter gets all the opportunities is wrong in her neighborhood. Recently,
two-wheeler using her savings six months which she herself was deprived of. She when the streetlights in her neighborhood
ago; she is now planning to take a loan to Soumya was in the middle of a divorce, makes enough time to spend with her were left on for three consecutive days, she
build the house. “I am confident I will repay but was scared to appear in court. She daughter and follows up on her education went to the electricity board to complain
the loan with proper planning,” she asserts. was depressed and had considered suicide with her and her teachers. about it, along with the other people in her
at one time. She did not make plans for vicinity. When the public dustbin in her
Padma wants to help the women in her Soumya’s knowledge on nutrition and
herself or her daughter’s future because she area was not cleared for more than a week,
community to stand on their own feet hygiene has helped in managing her
thought there was none. Observing a happy she approached the municipality and got
and has brought them together to form a daughter’s allergies. She now makes sure to
couple angered her. At work, she behaved them to clean it out.
self-help group; she has been elected the buy and cook a variety of nutritious foods
very aggressively with her co-workers and
president. The women meet regularly, share for herself and her daughter, including leafy Soumya has grown confident about her
at home, she was very quiet and meek.
their concerns and their knowledge; they greens, vegetables and fruits. She makes abilities. She has taken charge of her
Soumya’s daughter had many allergies and
save and lend money to each other. She sure that they both eat all their meals on own life and she is not afraid to take the
this was another cause for concern. Being
has been able to help many of the women time. Soumya never misses breakfast now, responsibility for the well-being of people
pre-occupied led to mistakes at work, for
to access ration cards and to open bank which was a common occurrence before the around her. She may have contemplated
which she received warnings, making her
accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan training. Soumya reports that her daughter’s suicide once, but irrespective of her divorce,
more anxious.
Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in order to ensure health has improved significantly since she she has much to look forward and will not
access to financial services such as savings Today, Soumya’s communication skills have put into practice what she learned in the give up on life.
& deposit accounts, remittance, credit, made her more confident in her personal training.
insurance, pensions, etc. in an affordable life. She speaks assertively at home and
Soumya says that the things she has learned
manner. The self-help group has a joint testified in court in her divorce case. She
about gender have also helped her to have
account a bank and Padma has delegated told the judge that she would not divorce
a better relationship with her brother. She
the responsibility of maintaining the her husband for 2 reasons - the first being
taught her brother what she learned in the
account to one of the other members in the that she knew he wanted to remarry and
training, and now he helps her out more
group because she does not get the time to did not want another woman to suffer the
in the house and respects her opinions
do so due to her work at the factory. same fate that she did, and the second being
and decisions more. Soumya says that her
that her husband had not supported her or
In the recent national elections that brother helps her out in the kitchen now.
her daughter till date, and did not offer
took place, she made it a point to vote “Sometimes in the evenings he prepares tea for
any alimony even after the divorce. She no
and encouraged other women in her me even without me asking him, which I could
longer gets upset when people ask about
neighborhood to vote, as well. “I want to be only dream about before,” she chuckles. He
her marriage convinces them that she can
a role model to the other women,” says Padma. and Soumya are working together now to
take care of herself and her daughter.
save enough money to build a house of their
Soumya’s new financial skills have helped own.
her to budget and plan for her daughter’s
Soumya is also more involved with her
future. She still gives her income to her
neighborhood now. She says that as part of
mother to manage; she now works together
the training she learned how to interact with
with her to budget and save. She has begun
government services and departments; as a
investing in gold and is planning to build
result, and so she has taken it upon herself
her own house. Soumya wants to ensure
to approach them whenever something2
22 23
Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
Standing tall efficiency has been noticed and appreciated
by her supervisors, only motivating Lalitha Professional Level Changes
“I used to work mechanically without much more. Being able to perform her duties has
interest, came to work very late and would take increased her self confidence. Her son has
leave often. In order to save money, I would not noticed the change in her demeanor and
cook at home but ended up spending money on also supports her with household chores.
medicines and illness. I never interacted much
Lalitha finds solace in the temple and uses
with the coworkers.”, says Lalitha describing
the visits to manage her stress. She realizes
her old self. “Nowadays, I wake up early
that everybody has problems and one needs
and finish my chores at home and attend work
to confront and overcome them. Lalitha
on time. I only used to eat rice and tamarind
works with her son to reduce expenditure
water but have added vegetables, egg and
and save money. They are now saving
milk to my diet. I don’t fall ill often and don’t
Rs. 5000 per month and are setting aside
spend unnecessarily on doctor visits”, reports
money for future goals. She has promised to
Lalitha.
conduct her son’s wedding without taking
Lalitha is the head of the family and has dowry and is confident about leading a
taken on this responsibility, delegating happy life.
appropriately to her son to manage home
and work. Her punctuality at work and2
24 25
Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
Section 2
Learning to lead supervisors and has stopped taking leave
without asking for it. She comes to work on
Professional level changes Nagarathna says, “I used to be very aggressive
when speaking with others. The training taught
time now and meets the production targets
within the specified timelines. She says
me different styles of communication. Now, I
that she uses the different communication
Many women choose to take up work in the workplace. As a result, professional qualities think about what style of communication will
techniques she has learned in the training
manufacturing sector because of financial like; punctuality, adherence to office rules and be most effective when I speak to a particular
in different situations, and that helps her
constraints. They often do not have role regulations, working in teams to complete person and use that.” She also says that the
to work better with her colleagues. Her
models at home and do not know what it tasks within assigned deadlines, following training has helped her to manage her
improved performance at work has also
means to work for a full day, with colleagues, safety precautions etc. have been reported by temper. Now, when someone scolds her,
been a boost to her self-confidence. Mr.
in a structured environment. While they learn the women and their supervisors. she does not immediately answer back, but
Pampapathy, her manager, says, “She is very
the technical requirements, there are other waits until her initial reaction passes, and
Improved communication and interaction disciplined at work. She never takes leave
factors that prevent them from excelling and then clarifies the matter with them calmly.
with co-workers has helped them create a without informing the management.”
doing their best. While individual changes Her improved communication skills have
better work environment. These improved
described in the previous section play a role, helped Nagarathna to bond with her team
there are specific skills that must be learnt and
relationships and the accrued benefits such as
and be noticed by her supervisors.
Polishing a diamond
recognition and promotion at work, inculcate
applied in the work context as well. “I would give my monthly salary to my mother
a sense of ownership towards the factory and Nagarathna’s supervisor, Mr. Pampapathy,
and think that my responsibility towards my
For many of the semi-literate women, there lead to conservation of factory resources. Assistant Manager of Compliance, says,
household was over without being bothered
is limited understanding of their role in the “I have observed that since the training six
Finally, many women’s ambitions have been about whether it was enough to cover our
entire production process. Most of them work months ago, Nagarathna’s communication
stirred to achieve more at the workplace. household expenditure or not. I had a very
with “blinkers on”, limiting themselves to has improved; she mingles with the team
indifferent attitude towards various aspects of
their assigned tasks. Fostering leadership skills and communicates assertively. She takes her
my life; I would only do what my mother or
and developing a sense of ownership are key role as a member of the health and safety
my supervisor asked me to do, like a machine,
aspects of the program, although challenging. committee seriously. She comes and talks to the
without being bothered about the end result
Combining this with management about health and safety issues in
of the task”, recollects Santhoshkani. She
communication skills the factory and resolves them. She is no longer
had also been very impulsive since her
and team-work has aggressive with her co-workers.” This is also
childhood and would react in situations
meant that women the reason for Nagarathna’s promotion
without thinking, often leading to fights
who complete the as the person in-charge in the quality
with her family and co-workers.
program are able to checking department; previously she was
perform better as one among the quality checkers. Being part Today, Santhoshkani feels there has
individuals and teams. of the health and safety committee at the been a tremendous improvement in
factory, she takes pride in looking after the her communication and she handles
The Foundational
welfare of her co-workers in both these multitasking at her work with a cool
and Advanced
positions of responsibility. She ensures that temperament. Recently, Santhoshkani
Trainings have
she follows all the necessary health and took additional responsibility of the welfare
allowed women to get
safety precautions, and tells her co-workers of employees when the HR
a better understanding
why it is important to do so. Manager was on maternity
of their roles and
leave. She was appreciated for
responsibility in the At work, she is more respectful towards her2
26 27
Good Business, Doing Good Stories of change from the Women in Factories program, India Section
awareness programs for young Breaking the silence Leading the way
adolescent girls where she shared
Reeta believes that she has always been a Just 2 weeks after starting work, Avni had the
with them information on hygiene
very careless individual, with no vision for opportunity to be part of the foundational
practices during menstruation,
her life. She had a casual attitude towards training of the WiF program. Due to her
different communication styles,
her health, time management and expenses, active participation, she was selected for the
active listening and significance
ready to do only the minimum required. The advanced training. In light of the potential
of budgeting. Santhoshkani also
WiF program changed her through - from a that she showed in the advanced training,
recently convinced the management
quiet person to an assertive individual. the head of her department recommended
of the Federation to provide sessions
her participation in the Training of Trainers
on sexuality to adolescent girls Reeta is now very punctual and follows
(ToT) as well.
and she herself undertook these a time table for the day to achieve her
sessions which included knowledge targets in time. Recently, Reeta brought When Avni joined the factory she was
on gender socialization and family issues of harassment to the notice of the very new to the working environment.
planning. management; she had experienced them She lacked confidence and did not believe
over a period of time but had been silent. she could do much. “My world was like
Santhoshkani has emerged as a more
that of a frog in a well, full of limitations and
the initiatives that she took during this socially sensitive, confident and Her supervisor reports that earlier Reeta
boundaries.” she recalls. The training gave
period. assertive woman who now takes initiative did not speak much and was a reserved
her the skills to communicate effectively
not only for welfare of family and workplace employee, but over the last one year she has
“Santhoshkani’s planning skills have evolved with people in her workplace and her family.
but also the society at large. Santhoshkani’s emerged as a key propagator of the use of
over the last year which can be attributed to It taught her how to behave with people
teammates feel quite obliged to her as she Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and
the life-skills training. She now checks the at work. Rather than being aggressive,
helps many of them, who are illiterate, to informs her colleagues about the various
current stock status before giving an estimate she learned how to be assertive and how
learn basic language and maths. facilities available in the factory such as
for purchase of production material. She has to get people to work with each other. At
masks etc., which are essential to use in
also developed a habit of checking with me Santhoshkani’s unit manger feels that she is the graduation ceremony of the advanced
order to avoid accidents.
about any work that needs to be completed, a diamond who has been polished by the WiF training program, Avni convinced some of
before she leaves for home every day” says her program. Santhoshkani dreams of climbing “I am now able to balance work and home her male team members to play the roles of
supervisor. Her Unit Manager says, “I see a up the corporate ladder, for which she has related stress much better and try to resolve it women in the play that they put up. “I think
lot of improvement in her work. She now makes bought an English dictionary to enhance her coolly. This training has fixed many unresolved of that as a very big achievement”, she laughs.
efforts to understand the work and completes it language skills. issues in my life whether it was health, or my
Avni believes that the leadership training
on time. If she makes any mistakes she does not communication skills which were due to my
she received has given her a positive
hesitate to accept it.” under confidence. I would recommend this
attitude. The training has also given her
training to every woman from rural India who
From being a mere follower of instructions knowledge about health, finances and
has been forced to be a part of the culture of
to being the leader of the young women’s budgeting that she has used to make better
silence” says Reeta.
wing of a women’s federation (Vembu decisions for herself. She has shared this
Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam), Santhoshkani knowledge with her family, with the result
attributes the transformation to the that they now ask for her opinion and
WiF program. As part the Federation’s consult her on major decisions.
activities, Santhoshkani recently organized She used what she has learned
through the training on genderYou can also read
