BACKGROUND AND THE VISION

Every citizen has a right to participate and benefit from national economic development. However, for most women, this right is denied because of their lack of economic self-reliance, access to employment and appropriate working conditions, and control over economic resources, land, capital and technology, the removal of all obstacles that hinder women's economic empowerment to enable them to enjoy their economic rights and achieve equality in access to, and participation in economic structures and policies, the Andhra Pradesh Women’s Cooperative Finance Corporation has a transformational development agenda, and operates from shared principles and values.

The Corporation believes that poor women are dynamic economic agents, not passive beneficiaries of social services, and that successful economic development has women as its focus. Corporation shares commitment to building financially sustainable integrated services for rural women. It supports local initiative, and trust that local practitioners and institutions are best able to decide the right service, as well as the most appropriate delivery mechanisms, that will move the rural women from survival to growth.

JOURNEY INTO THE CONTRIBUTIONS COMMITMENTS KEPT OVER THE YEARS

The Govt of Andhra Pradesh has made impressive progress in implementing a wide spectrum of social sector and community development schemes to help various weaker sections in partnership with the people of the state. The statement of the Govt accords priority to the women participation in economic development by providing various measures.

Andhra Pradesh Women’s Cooperative Finance Corporation Ltd (APWCFC) popularly known as Women Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh for the rest of India is a Government of Andhra Pradesh undertaking and functions as a part of the Department of Women Development, Child and Disabled Welfare was established in the year 1975 registered on 18/03/1975 wide T.A.No.693/75 under the provision of section 7, of AP Co-operative societies Act.1964.with the aim of empowerment of women on the eve of International Women’s Year.

Andhra Pradesh Women’s Cooperative Finance Corporation Ltd (APWCFC) being the front –runners in promotion of economic activities among the rural women in Andhra Pradesh, selects poor rural women in the districts of Andhra Pradesh through their Mahila Vikasa Kendrams (Women Training Centers) and provides skill development training in marketable trades with the support of A P State Govt, NABARD, SIDBI, and Govt of India through the Women & Child development department under different schemes, for promotion of different traditional and non-traditional economic activities among the poor and deprived women.

All the Mahila Vikasa Kendrams are well equipped with training equipment, stay and boarding facilities, and administrative set up. These Resource Centers are the overall development of women in the district. In practical terms this means creating an environment that will help a low income woman to build her business, improve her living conditions, keep her family well-fed and healthy, educate her children, develop respect at home and in her community, and secure a political voice. Being a Proactive responsive Institution towards the women need over the years has being taken many activities that facilitate the holistic development of rural women

Core activities of the Corporation:

-Structured capacity Building trainings to rural Women through Mahila Vikasa Kendrams.
-Management and Construction of Working Women’s Hostels
-Coordination of NGOs programmes
-Marketing and
-Micro Finance

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON THE STRUCTURED INPUTS

I.Structured capacity Building trainings to rural Women through Mahila Vikasa Kendrams

The structured Integrated approach of trainings given through these Mahila Vikasa Kendrams in the State consists of basic Skill Up gradation through Vocational Training Programmes ,Entrepreneurial ship Development Programmes/Sensitization Programmes, Demonstration Programmes, Production Units, , Incubators, Mother Units, Nursery and Horticulture, Marketing and Business Counseling Centers.

The other major intervention and support programmes taken up through these centers are Residential bridge Schools for Girl Child Labour Rehabilitation, Anganwadi Training Center (AWTCs) for refresher course to the field functionaries of Woman Development and Child Welfare Department.

Skill Upgradation Vocational Training Programmes:

Residential training is imparted in district specific trades with Market oriented syllabus/course contents using Wide variety of training methodologies such as Group discussions, role plays, panel discussions, interactive session, Field visits/exposure tours, Guest lectures, Personality development & spoken English courses linked up with employment Placement through self employment and wage employment.

The broad traditional and non traditional trades and courses so far taken up are

Traditional And Non Traditional Trades

Fashion Technology, Blcock Printing Plastic Wire Handicrafts,Hosiery, Lace Making (Ghanpur, And Narsapur),Hand Embroidery And Zardosi, Leather And Rexene Products, Jute Products, Foot Wear, Nursery Raising And Grafting Technology, Beauty Culture, etc

Courses:

Computer Applications, Desk Top Publishing, Pre Primary Teachers Training, Community Health Workers, Multipurpose Health Workers, Printing Technology, Screen Printing, Electronic assembling, electrical appliances repairs and maintenance Canteen Management, House Keeping, Bee Keeping etc

II. Construction and Management of Working Women’s Hostel (WWH)

With an intention of creating a safe and secured living accommodation for working women the Corporation had with the assistance of Government of India .(18) WWHs have been sanctioned and out of which 14 WWHs are completed. 10 WWHs are managed by WD & CW Dept., and 4 are managed by APWCFC. Construction of (4) WWH buildings are in progress.

III. Coordination of NGOs Programmes:

Corporation is the Nodal agency for Processing of NGOs proposals for setting up of employment cum income activities with the financial assistance of Government of India. As a nodal agency along with processing Implementation and Monitoring of the projects are also done.

IV - Marketing Initiatives through Taruni Resource Center

Taruni Resource Center has been set up with a vision to create marketing platform to the products produced by rural women by providing and to give continuous skill up gradation and guidance, this would Eliminate Middlemen and improve bargaining power. Through this center Facility for design development and brand management, exposure to modern marketing and sales techniques would be provided through Exclusive workshops, seminars to buyer & seller meets. and exposure to social development aspects are also provided

V. Micro finance Programme

Corporation felt that providing the economic sustainability of women through economic empowerment it was felt by the Corporation that mere imparting vocational training programs does not help women as they are not able to utilize the skills acquired as they fall under two broad categories, one those with trade skills but lack of financial support. The second category of women is the target women for consideration for the proposed Micro Finance Program.