From the outset, women have been at the center of most of the activities of SEWA-Rural. Several specific programmes for the women, by women, have been started over the years.

Begun in 1985, the Papad Programme was the first formal venture of SR in a non-health area. It was started with an understanding that women from disadvantaged sections of the society need to be empowered and made aware of their rights and potentials through a multi-pronged approach, including empowerment and income generation.

In the absence of any local traditional crafts or skill, groups of tribal and rural women were trained to develop Papad - making skills, the produce being marketed by SR. After considerable struggle, a growing number of women now earn around Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 a day, all at or near their homes. Every year about 60,000 kg of papad are produced and sold resulting in cash turn over of Rs. 45 lacs and of this about 20% are earned as wages by women. Some of the older groups of women now show remarkable understanding and courage in facing adverse social situations and it is planned to devolve as much power as possible to the groups.

Lately two more initiatives - Handicraft and Garment Projects - have been started for the economic betterment of women following informal surveys and focus group discussion among women about their needs, skill and potentialities. The Garment manufacturing activity has considerable potential for growth and expansion in view of large industrial units nearby requiring uniforms for their workers.

The Savings and Credit programmes for women began in 1987 to reduce their dependence on money lenders and prevent them getting into perpetual debt. These women groups as well as adolescent girls serve as nodal points for initiating discussions on the broader women's issues like, atrocities on women, alcohol abuse, unwed pregnancies, reporductive health disorders etc., often  in camps  conducted  in