Regional Workshop Focuses on Enhancing Food, Nutrition, Health, and WASH Outcomes for SHG Members

New Delhi:  The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), recently organized a two-day regional workshop to discuss strategies for improving food, nutrition, health, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) outcomes for over 9.98 crore members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their households across India. The workshop brought together 17 State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs) and various stakeholders.

Dr. Sharanaprakash Rudrappa Patil, Minister of Medical Education & Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, and Livelihoods in Karnataka, presided as the Chief Guest. Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Skill Development Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Karnataka, Ms Uma Mahadevan, and Joint Secretary, MoRD, Ms. Smriti Sharan were also present at the event.

Dr. Patil acknowledged the commitment and dedication of women in the success of poverty alleviation programs and suggested income-generating activities, such as the production of sanitary napkins, to provide sustainable livelihoods for SHG women. He emphasized the importance of marketing SHG products and facilitating linkages with banks to strengthen women collectives.

Ms. Uma Mahadevan praised the potential of women collectives and advocated for the establishment of SHG rooms in as many as 6000 gram panchayats in Karnataka. She highlighted the role of women in influencing behavior change and endorsed FNHW (Food, Nutrition, Health, and WASH) interventions through women collectives for better convergence.

The workshop aimed to consolidate learnings from ongoing efforts by SHGs under DAY-NRLM, focusing on health, nutrition, and WASH improvement in rural communities. Women-led SHGs and their federations are actively promoting health-seeking behavior, creating agri-nutri gardens, and facilitating access to entitlements and services.

The conclave served as a platform to encapsulate FNHW achievements, draft guidelines for effective strategy implementation, streamline collaborations with line departments, and ideate for innovations and research to amplify SHGs’ efforts. Officials from different State Rural Livelihoods Missions, Women and Child Departments, Health, Drinking Water and Sanitation, along with Community Resource Persons, shared on-ground experiences and journeys.

A panel discussion with experts, researchers, academicians, and development agencies focused on fortifying FNHW aspects to enable rural communities with good health and enhanced livelihood opportunities. Additionally, a marketplace exhibition displayed best practices and models related to FNHW strategies, including Poshan Vatika and products by enterprises. The event aimed to further empower SHGs and enhance the well-being of rural communities through collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing.