In Erode District, a key centre for textile and garment industries, READ has been working to uplift women workers' economic conditions. In the Gobi region, villages with a high concentration of women employed in textile units were identified for focused interventions.
READ formed Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and provided regular training, financial literacy sessions, and group meetings. To encourage entrepreneurship, small grants were given to support self-employment activities such as petty shops, vegetable vending, and cloth businesses.
In Alukuli village, five SHG women collectively received INR 1.7 lakhs as seed support to start a home-based garments unit. With continuous guidance and support, they successfully established their enterprise.
Today, each woman earns up to INR 18,000 per month, contributing significantly to their household income. This initiative has enhanced their confidence, financial independence, and decision-making power. It stands as a strong example of how community-based support can transform women's livelihoods sustainably.
