Enabling Communities in Jharkhand in India to diversify in Economic Opportunities
Social protection can mean differently to people coming from various classes of society. But when there is a need for social protection at the level of it being tied to basic physical well being, protection of society applies to everyone as a whole with a similar meaning.
For the most part of the privileged population, it is hard to imagine the kind of emotional turmoil that many marginalized communities go through when their most basic needs go unattended. When someone cannot lead a decent life in the most basic way possible like being able to defecate at their own will comfortably, it is imperative that the society pays attention to such needs so that a healthy state of mind is established to which every human being, irrespective of the class they belong to, is susceptible and accountable. Although the government has come up with welfare schemes that could benefit these people, it will prove to be successful only when those in need are made aware of such benefits. Digital Empowerment Foundation has always worked to ensure that such life changing information reaches the beneficiaries. The Social Protection program in particular is dedicated to spread awareness and support people to avail schemes and benefits that directly affects them on a day to day basis so that they are socially protected.
Savitri Devi is a middle-aged widow whose husband passed away many years ago after a prolonged illness. She has a daughter and a son, and all the family members work in their respective fields for their livelihood.
Previously, they did not have a toilet in their house and had to go outside. They felt extremely uncomfortable to step outside of the house for this purpose. Due to lack of funds, they were unable to build a toilet in their home. But soon they got to know that the Indian government launched the “Swachha Bharat Abhiyaan” initiative to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management. With the help of a SoochnaPreneur from her region, she submitted an application with supporting documents to have her toilet built.
People living below and above the poverty line can avail reimbursement for constructing toilets in their houses. This initiative has provided significant momentum to the nationwide toilet construction operation. There is also a predetermined reimbursement model, in which households are expected to build toilets with their own funds and then produce the required documentation, after which they will be reimbursed 12,000 to 15,000 rupees. Improving dissemination of information about the process through which the most marginalized people can access the programme and avail the subsidies is going to help in the drive to reach maximum households. Digital Empowerment Foundation is joining hands in accelerating this reach through SoochnaPreneurs so that these people feel secure.
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