Mahalir Association for Literacy, Awareness and Rights

Malar (the Mahalir Association for Literacy, Awareness and Rights), a federation of 1410 women’s self-help groups in India. Each member saves 20 rupees a month and attends a weekly meeting at which they learn reading and basic business skills. The money accrues interest and funds enterprises via microloans.Through MALAR the women got together in groups of 20 and saved small amounts every week. Loans were advanced to the needy among them. Apart from easy access to credit the groups also help the women start up small enterprises. At first the women took loans to pay off amounts they had borrowed from moneylenders and/or to redeem their ration cards. Later, they set up businesses such as vegetable and fish vending, poultry breeding, pottery, handloom, readymade garments, soaps, jams, masalas and pickles, phenyl, nutrition mixes, paper bags and envelopes.The women of Siluvai Nagar, a fishing village in the heart of Kanyakumari town, hit upon the idea of making ornamental objects out of seashells. “We buy shells in bulk and make garlands, curtains and lampshades, especially during the tourist season,” says Rosemary who rakes in a profit of Rs 7,000 during the three months. Economic security and independence, coupled with the power of numbers, has meant that the women have been able to effect changes in their environment as well. In Siluvai Nagar they got streetlights put up in the village. Next on the agenda is getting pattas (official deeds) for their land. Elsewhere, in Ambedkar Colony, the women managed to get a pucca road built in their village, electricity, water and a cremation ground.This is a classic example of collective action and cooperation and the way it can bring a change in the society.