Women Empowerment in Shahdol: How PSEF Is Changing Lives

Women at the Heart of Change

In the forests and villages surrounding Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, thousands of women wake up before dawn to fetch water, cook, tend to fields, and raise children — often without recognition, income, or opportunity. PUJA Social Empowerment Foundation (PSEF) has made it its mission to change this reality, one woman at a time.

Since its founding, PSEF has reached over 5,000 women across Shahdol and neighboring districts through targeted empowerment programmes designed not as charity, but as catalysts for lasting change.

Self-Help Groups: The Foundation of Change

PSEF has established 120+ Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in villages across Shahdol district. Each SHG brings together 10–20 women who:

• Save small amounts monthly (₹50–₹200) and pool resources
• Access micro-credit for starting small businesses
• Support each other during health emergencies and domestic crises
• Collectively negotiate with government offices for entitlements

Success story: In Beohari block, an SHG called Shakti Mahila Mandal pooled savings to purchase a flour mill. Within six months, members doubled their household incomes and hired three additional women from the village.

Skill Training Programmes

PSEF's vocational training centres in Shahdol city and rural blocks offer:

Stitching and Tailoring

Over 800 women have completed three-month stitching courses. Graduates earn ₹4,000–₹8,000 per month from home tailoring or by joining garment units.

Organic Farming and Kitchen Gardens

Women in tribal villages learn sustainable farming techniques — composting, natural pest management, and crop diversification. This improves both nutrition and income through surplus vegetable sales.

Handicraft and Bastar Art

Traditional art forms are being revived and connected to urban markets. PSEF facilitates participation in state-level exhibitions and online marketplaces.

Digital Literacy

A six-week course covers smartphone basics, UPI payments, and government portal navigation — enabling women to independently access banking and welfare schemes.

Legal Awareness and Rights Education

Many women in rural MP are unaware of their legal rights. PSEF conducts monthly Jan Chetna Sabhas (awareness meetings) covering:

• Domestic Violence Act, 2005 — understanding protections and how to file complaints
• Property rights — women's rights in ancestral and marital property
• MGNREGA rights — entitlement to 100 days of employment at minimum wage
• Ladli Behna Yojana — registration and monthly benefit access

PSEF volunteers accompany women to police stations and courts when needed, providing free legal support.

Health and Nutrition

Women cannot be empowered if their health is neglected. PSEF runs:

• Monthly health camps in villages with gynaecological check-ups, anaemia testing, and family planning counselling
• Nutrition workshops for pregnant and lactating mothers
• Coordination with ASHA workers to ensure full immunization of children

The PSEF Model: Dignity First

What makes PSEF's approach distinctive is its commitment to dignity over dependency. Every programme is co-designed with community women through gram sabhas. Women lead their own SHG meetings, handle accounts, and make collective decisions.

PSEF's founder, Er. Ajay Kumar, believes: "True empowerment means women are in control of their own futures — not dependent on any organisation, including ours."

How You Can Help

PSEF's women empowerment programmes run on community donations and CSR partnerships. Your support directly funds skill training centres, SHG formation, and health camps.

• Donate online — UPI: pujafoundation95@upi
• CSR Partnership — Write to pujafoundation95@gmail.com
• Volunteer — Join as a trainer, counsellor, or legal aid volunteer

Together, we can ensure that every woman in Shahdol has the skills, knowledge, and confidence to build the life she deserves.

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PSEF Help India operates across all 52 districts of Madhya Pradesh. For programme details or to volunteer, contact us at +91-8969886176.