SIDBI commences the 5th phase of setting up 300 Swavalamban Silai Schools to support Women Entrepreneurs in Rural

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 17 August 2022

The fifth phase of the establishment of 300 Swavalamban Silai Schools across 10 districts of 6 States/Unio was launched on Independence Day by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the Principal Financial Institution engaged in the promotion, financing, and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under its flagship initiative Mission Swavalamban, Atma Nirbhar Bharat, and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. With about 25 ambitious home entrepreneurs present, the CMD of SIDBI officially launched the programme virtually from Puducherry.

On this occasion Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, CMD, SIDBI said, “As we celebrate 76th year of independence with the theme of ‘Udyam Se Aazadi” by promoting women entrepreneurship, artisans and large-scale livelihood promotion, SIDBI is glad to announce that through this joint initiative, till now, 2700 Swavalamban Silai Schools have been set-up covering 2618 villages, 198 blocks, 48 districts across 17 states (viz. UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh & North-East (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura & Mizoram) of country. It’s a matter of proud that they contributed to the national mission “Har Ghar Tiranga” by making 75000 flags which were distributed among 750 villages.”

Previously, these home business owners helped Covid Fight by producing approximately 1.5 lakh masks across 7 states. 160 silai women business owners have since joined the GEMS portal, and some of them have gone so far as to exhibit their items. SIDBI wants to continue the momentum by reaching 5,000 such schools throughout India and advancing them to take on more significant roles in the ready-to-wear industry.

Aspiring female entrepreneurs receive training through this programme in sewing, sewing machine maintenance, and repair, as well as life skills and business principles. These are done by skilled trainers of UIL. The process used by homepreneurs for selection, capacity building, and establishment is well defined.

The participants begin their journey by opening the sewing machine box, putting it together, then taking it apart and putting it back together. The sewing machine, training kit, machine manual, design book, certificate, and Swavalamban Silai School sign-up board are given to the women who successfully complete the training programme. This programme not only helps them become self-sufficient and role models for their families, but it also instils an entrepreneurial culture. As master trainers, they will typically train ten more women, which will have a multiplier/ripple effect.

2700 homepreneurs are operational in the first four phases of the initiative and have more than 27000 learners enrolled under them, deepening the theme of entrepreneurship. Each homepreneur acts as trainers for aspirants, designs & sells stitched garments as also provide repair services.

The initiative has impacted the underprivileged and bottom-of-the-pyramid women in society. Out of these 2700 home business owners, approximately 40% of the women belong to the Other Backward Class category, and approximately 39% to the Scheduled Cast/Scheduled Tribe category. Overall, 60% of these women who have set up Silai Schools hail from Below the Poverty Line category. Cumulative income of these 2700 women has been recorded at Rs.12.47 Cr for the duration of 3 years through stitching job-work, learners’ fee & sewing machine repair. On average, 40 to 45 percent of these home business owners make between 3000 and 3500 rupees each month. SIDBI & Usha are working together to take their desire to incorporate fashion design & embroidery to the next level.

The initiative has impacted the underprivileged and bottom-of-the-pyramid women in society. Out of these 2700 home business owners, approximately 40% of the women belong to the Other Backward Class category, and approximately 39% to the Scheduled Cast/Scheduled Tribe category. Overall, 60% of these women who have set up Silai Schools hail from Below the Poverty Line category. Cumulative income of these 2700 women has been recorded at Rs.12.47 Cr for the duration of 3 years through stitching job-work, learners’ fee & sewing machine repair. On average, 40 to 45 percent of these home business owners make between 3000 and 3500 rupees each month. SIDBI & Usha are working together to take their desire to incorporate fashion design & embroidery to the next level.