Budgam (Jammu and Kashmir) [India] October 5 : From making handicrafts and embroidery to running small businesses, women in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district are finding new ways to earn through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) formed under the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM).
Women across villages are taking up activities such as weaving, food processing, tailoring, agriculture-related work and other small businesses. For many, the SHGs have helped turn skills they earlier practised at home into a source of regular income.
Through these groups, women receive support for savings, training, skill development and livelihood activities. They also get opportunities to sell their products at local markets, exhibitions and fairs.

Nayeema, head of a self-help group, spoke about how the members first started by saving money together and later received financial support to begin their business.
“We did our savings. Ten ladies did their savings. After that, we did this. After that, we got RFI of Rs 15,000. We took a loan. After that, we bought a little dry fruit. We did a little bit of business. After that, we got Rs 14,000 from CIF Sikkim, NRLM. We got financial support from NRLM Sikkim.
“After that, we decided that there were 10 ladies in the group and that we would work jointly. Because there was no financial support before.
“We got a lot of benefit from NRLM Sikkim. A lot. Because we are independent today. We give money to our families ourselves today. Because we got a lot of benefit from NRLM Sikkim,” she said.

For Iqra Farooq, a member of the Alishan SHG, joining the group provided an opportunity to start a business despite limited financial support at home.
Farooq said she had been associated with the initiative since 2006 and recalled how the group slowly began saving money before receiving financial assistance.
“My SHG’s name is Alishan. I have been involved in this scheme since 2006. A team came here through NRLM for a survey. But at that time, we couldn’t trust anyone. You know how the situation is today…..
“Then we started saving…..There are 10 women in our group. After that, we got RFI. We got Rs 15,000. After that, we got Rs 40,000 SAF. We were sitting at home because we didn’t have much financial support. Dad didn’t earn much. So how could he support us in promoting our business? Then we came to NRLM. We got Rs 40,000 SAF. We are 10 women. We came together for a meeting and decided to do some business,” she said.

The women are also taking part in exhibitions, fairs and local markets, where they get a chance to display and sell their products outside their villages.
The SHGs have also helped women work together on production, finance and marketing while sharing their skills and responsibilities. For many members, the groups have become a way to earn money as well as gain confidence and take a bigger role in their families’ financial decisions.
The growing participation of women in such groups is also helping create small businesses in rural areas. With continued access to training, finance, better packaging, branding and markets, these groups can provide more opportunities for women in Budgam.