Soon, products of women self-help groups to be available on Shimla MC web portal
Work on the portal is going on and it will be ready in near future, says Mayor
The Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) will soon launch a web portal where products made by women associated with various self-help groups (SHGs) will be sold online. The aim of the initiative is to empower financially women living in the area jurisdiction of the MC by strengthening their livelihoods.
The corporation took the decision after noticing the rising popularity of the products of women SHGs and decided to promote them more by making them available in larger markets.
Hundreds of women in the capital city are associated with various SHGs and are actively engaged in producing handloom products, handicrafts, paintings, decorative items and edible items such as pickles, chips, sweets, jams, etc., which are becoming popular among the locals and tourists alike.
Mayor Surinder Chauhan said, “The work to prepare the portal is going on and it will be available soon. The portal will provide a great opportunity to women to sell as well as promote their products. It will help in opening a larger market for their products, which will not only boost their income but will also provide a proper platform.”
He said that the aim of the initiative was to empower women and promote their products at national and international markets. “Last year, the corporation had decided to organise monthly haats for such women. Every month, space is allotted to them on The Ridge to display and sell their products.
The monthly haat has also yielded positive results and both tourists and locals are appreciating it and purchasing products made by women. The haat has resulted in an increase in the demand of products made by women,” he added.
To engage more women in this business, the corporation with the assistance of State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Limited and in collaboration with the Central Government organises a one-month training programme to teach women how to make handloom and handicraft products along with honing other skills.
The Mayor said, “A batch of 20 to 25 women is taken in each training programme and a stipend of Rs 15,000 each is provided to them.” He added, “So far, the corporation has trained around 175 women in these programmes and more workshops and training sessions will be held in the future to enhance the skills of these women.”
