The Corporation is working towards uplift and advancement of women in both urban and rural areas by providing different services.
The core activities of the corporation include management of Mahila Sisu Vikasa Kendrams, Construction and management of working women’s hostels, coordination of NGO programmes and marketing activities.
The Mahila Pranganams conduct vocational training programmes, entrepreneurship development programmes (EDP) sensitization programmes, supply raw material, transfer technology from production units, run Anganwadi training centers (AWTCs), business counseling centers, implement integrated girl child labour rehabilitation programme, market the products and ensure optimum utilization of vacant land by growing medicinal plants, fruit gardens, aquaculture, nursery etc.
The Corporation is involved in the construction of working women’s hostels, seven of which are proposed at Ongole, Warangal, Jubilee Hills, Kushaiguda, Kurnool, Kadapa and Chittoor. It is also constructing Taruni Business Centre at Jubilee Hillls, including an administrative block for APWCFC with an investment of Rs.1.50 crores.
The Corporation is also investing Rs.2.25 crore in the construction of Taruni Haat at Kadapa, while strengthening existing facilities in classrooms, dining halls, toilet blocks, etc in Durgabai Mahila Sisu Vikasa Kendrams under 15 percent earmarked funds of ZPPs.
The Corporation has been implementing vocational training programmes under “Swawlamban’ Scheme, Women Development & Child Welfare Department and DRDAs, SC, ST, BC Corporation, etc.
The Corporation is also conducting Entrepreneur Development Programmes (EDP) so that women can set up micro level enterprises after training. About 55,000 women will be imparted necessary training in basic healthcare, spending Rs.7.00 crores. They will act as ‘health resource persons of first resort’ in the villages. It is a part the Reproductive Child Project-II being implemented in the State.
Premier institutions like CMC and HDFC have committed to provide placements for the candidates trained by the Corporation.
Caution by Sri A.Kishan, IFS., Managing Director, APWCFC “ABOUT 55,000 WOMEN WILL BE IMPARTED NECESSARY TRAINING IN BASIC HEALTHCARE AT THE COST OF RS.7.00 CRORE. THEY WILL ACT AS ‘HEALTH-RESOURCE PERSONS OF FIRST RESORT’ IN THE VILLAGES.
The Corporation is looking at short term courses, tie-ups with private organizations, and is identifying, planning and setting up new projects.
It plans to introduce new programmes in hostel management, computer training, fashion technology etc.
Creating brand for women - Taruni
The products made by women groups and individual women need better marketing strategies. Though the products are superior quality, lack of technical know how and marketing facilities has proved to be a big drawback in increasing the demand for such products.
As a first step, Taruni outlets were set up in Hyderabad and a couple of district headquarters to enable women to sell their products and help them get their due returns. It organizes exhibitions or meals to provide marketing avenues to women entrepreneurs.
As part of its initiatives, the Corporation has set up Incubators, fullequipped production units at some of the District Resource Centers.
These Incubators help the women until they are capable of establishing their own units. They cover activities like bakery, food processing, sari rolling, hosiery, embroidery, dress manufacturing etc.
To give a new thrust to empowerment of women, the corporation has proposed Rs.300.00 crores action plan to build a brand for products of women – Taruni.
According to sources, a conglomerate of international bankers has shown interest in the project b y offering loan at nominal rate of interest.
As part of its skills up gradation course, it proposes to offer suitable technical inputs for existing handicrafts and other activates so as to make the products more attractive with reduction of production costs that will benefit both the consumer as well as the artisans.
The services specialists will be utilized for the purpose and annual cost is worked to be Rs.25 lakhs.
Enabling the women folk with new generation skills, computers will be made available in Durgabai Mahila Sishu Vikasa Kendras and other locations, which could be accessed easily.
Apart from centralized DMSVKs, at least four centers are proposed to be established in each district. Out of 690 computers, 230 will be installed in DMSVKs and 460 in other centers that require an initial investment of Rs.207 lakh along with Rs.34.50 lakh towards maintenance.
Supplementing this it has proposals to set up 3000 Taruni facility centers throughout the state which will be equipped with latest communication channel and logistics at an estimated cost of Rs.90 crores.
Inspired by bottling companies, the corporation proposes to set up its own mineral water plants in each district at an estimated cost of Rs.20 alkh and market the same under Taruni brand.
It also proposes to encourage the small entrepreneurs to improve the quality of locally prepared food and packaging by providing them technical inputs and financial assistance. The Corporation also proposes Taruni resorts, Taruni complexes, Taruni garments, Taruni farms etc. besides providing micro finance for women groups.
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