Stree Shakti Bhavans introduced to market the products made by Self Help Groups (SHG) in Karnataka is of no great help to the members. Currently Stree Shakti Bhavans covers up only nine percent of the taluks in Karnataka. “62 out of 80 Bhavans are still under construction. In total we have 185 taluks in Karnataka”, said Shashikala Shetty, Deputy Director of Women and Child Development.
Self Help groups in Golahalli Panchayat of Karnataka face problems due to poor marketing of the products. “Self Help groups deal in dairy, garment shops and tea stalls”, said Pushpalata, Anganwadi Teacher who closely works with the SHG members. She also said that SHG members here go for daily wages work in factories, as they do not earn much. There are total of 48 Self Help Groups in 22 villages in Golahalli Panchayat. The Self Help Groups generate employment to more than 1,000 women in this Panchayat. Lack of training provided in marketing their products is visible. SHG members have to market their products on their own; competing with others is not easy. “Whatever we produce, we don’t get the true value”, said Manjula, SHG member. Members also get de-motivated and do other work simultaneously.
Deputy Director said that the department conducts exhibitions for three days during special occasions to support the groups, but cannot target every village. “Department spends Rupees 10-15 lakhs for each Marketing Bhavan in Taluk Level”, she said. Currently only 18 Bhavans are completed in Karnataka. This does not provide a common platform for SHG’s to sell their products. According to the Annual Report (2007-2008) of Women and Child Development, 20 lakh members benefit from the Stree Shakti Scheme for Women Empowerment in Karnataka. M.Bindu, Project Director of Stree Shakti Scheme refuses to comment on the completion of the pending projects to support 1.40 lakh Self help Groups across Karnataka.
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