Women in the N.M. Padia Balasore coastal village, Odisha are known to completely struggle with waste management issues due to improper disposal along with fish handling. Also, there is a lack of employment opportunities which renders many families hopeless and impoverished. In this backdrop, the women of Swadhin Self-Help Group (SHG) are empowered by the ECRICC Fish Value-Added Project and subsequently attempt transforming their livelihoods.

Hope on One’s Own Terms

The region has always relied on fishing as their primary source of income, but poor fish handling resulted in an ecological and economic disaster. The rampant fish waste not only contaminated the waterbody but also the fisherwomen’s income earning potential. With limited occupational prospects, women from the Swadhin SHG were more than ready to take up new opportunities for earning. The ECRICC project led to the introduction of products such as pickles, prawn pickles, fish cutlets, and the likes providing them with a new glimpse of hope. Although not hesitant to try, the women were uncertain, but having the desire for financial security gave all of them the motivation and drive to take benefit from this opportunity.

Changing Lives Through Taking Fish Products Further Steps

Swadhin’s Women Self Help Group was trained on the modern methods of fish processing and manufacture of additional value added fish products. This specific phase of training was done by the Balasore Social Service Society (BSSS) which helped them to improve the quality of the fish catch in the resources. The training further encompassed hygiene practices in fish processing to the marketing of finished products.

Expenses like those on fisheries products, fish processing aids, and even packaging materials were procured with the help of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Departments. The group collaborated with local authorities and established mechanisms for dealing with local and national approvals so that they would be able to start the business without any problems. The project initiated in the presence of local officials and community leaders who supported the project with great enthusiasm.

The Transformations: Women Empowerment Along with Community Benefits

The most important results were achieved during the course of the project. The women of Swadhin Self Help Group earned considerable monthly incomes through selling fish and fish products. This opened doors for economic empowerment while obtaining a greatly reduced effort exhaustive long-term career. The direct beneficiaries of this intervention are 11 members of SHGs, which represent and serve approximately 42 family members altogether.

The ecological advantages were just as important. The women reduced waste and improved sanitary practices which diminished pollution in the local water bodies, aiding the restoration of the ecosystem. Their achievement was an eye opener for the other SHGs in the district and enabled many to get interested in similar value adding enterprises.

Be the Change You Want to See in the World

“It gives us immense pleasure that we, the first group in Odisha, have taken up Fish Value Added Products with the ECRICC Project assistance. This scheme is environmentally friendly and provides income to housewives like us.” Mrs. Anita Jena, President of Swadhin SHG remember saying when reflecting on SHGs journey. In these words, it also summed up the hope of the SHG transformation that not only improved their economic status, but enabled them to shape their own destiny.

Adversity Has Its Advantages

To some extent, the project was challenged by concerns about product quality and inadequate marketing, but these issues were effectively addressed with training, sensitization, and exposure visits. The women had the will and determination to ameliorate the problems. Their willpower and resilience enabled them to face and overcome the challenges facing them.

A Perfect Example of How to be Sustainable

The journey of the Swadhin SHG showcases an exemplary case of how women were able to create, advance, and facilitate primary changes with the right tools and information at their disposal. The successful initiative aided the group's women tremendously by allowing them to fetch an income while simultaneously contributing towards the economy and the environment. These efforts made by the women greatly impacted these coastal communities and has allowed for other communities to be motivated and inspired in the same way.