Empowering Women in Madhya Pradesh's Cotton Sector: Entrepreneurship, Collectivization & Gender Equality Initiative by ILO

RFP - Entrepreneurship Development, Collectivization, and Empowerment for Women Workers in the Cotton Sector in Madhya Pradesh
Organization: International Labour Organization (ILO)
Apply By: 24 February 2025, 1700 hrs (IST)

About the Organization

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is committed to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. Since 1919, the ILO has worked with governments, employers, and workers of 187 Member States to set labour standards, develop policies, and promote decent work for all.

About the Proposal

• Improving quality of life for women workers and farmers by reducing unpaid domestic and care work.
• Creating an inclusive agricultural ecosystem where women farmers are recognized as co-farmers.
• Addressing gender-based inequality through engagement with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in cotton-growing areas under NRLM.
• Preventing gender-based violence and promoting economic independence for women.

Objective(s)

A four-pronged approach combining gender and entrepreneurship will be implemented:

1. ILO’s Get-Ahead (Gender and Entrepreneurship) Trainings

   • Training for women entrepreneurs in agriculture and other viable businesses.
   • Digital & financial literacy, credit linkages, and extension services.

2. Collectivization of Women Cultivators

   • Strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Collectives, and Cooperatives.
   • Promoting collective childcare for working women.

3. Agronomic Skill Development & Community Sensitization

   • Training women farmers in agronomic practices.
   • Community awareness programs on the role of women cotton producers.
   • Building a gender-based violence-free environment.

4. Government Linkages & Digital Empowerment

   • Connecting women workers with government schemes, insurance, and social finance tools.
   • Digitalization of payments in collaboration with Workers Information and Support Centre (WISC).

Eligibility Criteria

• Focus Area: Rural women in Madhya Pradesh (specific districts).
• Expertise Required:
  • Facilitating inter-sectoral convergence.
  • Supporting implementation of women-centric schemes.
• Language Requirement:
  • Deliverables in English.
  • Ability to conduct field-based activities in local languages (Hindi, etc.).
  • Capacity to translate between English and Hindi where needed.

How to Apply

• Submission Deadline: 24 February 2025, 1700 hrs (IST).
• More Information & Application: Click Here.
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