DHARAMSHALA: Women’s Empowerment Desk, Department of Home, CTA organised daylong workshop on 17 July to bring economic empowerment among the female students at the Tibetan Transit School (Sherab Gatsel Lobling). Thirty-two female students joined the workshop. The program was aimed to initiate Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the school among the female students and to facilitate them with information regarding the SHGs. Three SHGs have been formed in this program which would be running under the guidance of the Women’s Empowerment Desk, CTA. The students were explained on the importance of forming SHGs, how they can run their SHG, and the significance of saving money.

Then, the students were introduced to the topic of women’s empowerment by Mrs. Namgyal Chonzom, Deputy Secretary, Planning Commission, CTA. It was the first time for the participants to be educated on women’s empowerment. The initiative generated overwhelming enthusiasm to know more about the topic. The third session was provided by Ms. Dechen Wangmo, Under Secretary, Women’s Empowerment Desk, Department of Home on women and leadership which aimed to motivate the students hone/ develop their leadership qualities within themselves through SHG.

Resource person Mr. Thupten Rinzin, Under Secretary, Department of Home gave detailed information regarding the vocational training opportunities, micro-credit and criteria to seize these facilities through Youth Empowerment Support (YES) Program. It was especially in the YES session when all the interested students in the school were invited to participate so that more number of students can best avail the opportunities to improve their livelihood.

Lastly, the workshop received good grading from the participants. They also expressed their satisfaction through their feedback comments and requested to organize more workshop and training programs in future. Most importantly they took the Self-Help Groups quite earnestly. 

– Report filed by Department of Home –