October 6, 2005 Source: University of Calgary: http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/oct05/silent-revolution_advisory.html Self-help groups creating a ‘silent revolution’ in India Women enact change through the creation of half a million self-help groups Up until very recently, women in rural India lived in virtual isolation, unable to access even the most basic of services. But, with the formation of Indigenous Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) five years ago, these women are now achieving social and physical mobility. SHGs have signaled the beginning a new era in rural India by helping more than six million women from 29,000 villages improve their incomes, educate their children, and buy assets. SHGs have also helped women campaign against oppressive social practices and become a force of development in their villages. Dr. Karim-Aly Kassam, a University of Calgary professor in the Faculty of Communication and Culture, and Dr. R. Indira, a Sociology professor at the University of Mysore, India have teamed up to examine the role of SHGs as not only a strong counterforce against exploitive credit delivery systems, but also as an institutional avenue for rural women to mobilize themselves in order to seek better life chances. Their research project, "Building Capacities of Rural Communities through People’s Institutions", has allowed them to work with tribal women in the rain forest in the south of India since 1998 Dr. Indira, along with three graduate students and a young village leader will meet with Dr. Kassam in Calgary Friday, Oct. 7 to Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005. The group will be available for pre-arranged media interviews on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005. Who:
Members of the "Building Capacities of Rural Communities through People’s Institutions" research group. What:
An opportunity to speak with the group about their research project and its affect on women living in the southern rain forests of India. When:
Available to the media
Tuesday, Oct. 11
11:15 am – 12 pm Where: Social Science Building, Room 206
University of Calgary Contact: Dr. Karim-Aly Kassam, Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary, (403) 220-3396 Janna Klemen, Media Advisor, University of Calgary, (403) 220-4756 | 