Community Empowerment through Vocational Training

Women empowerment session organized by the Rotary Club of Malda as part of their ongoing community development efforts. The program was conducted at Rotary Bhaban, the club’s headquarters, where a group of 20+ women from marginalized communities had gathered to receive vocational training in tailoring and needlework.
As a part of the organizing and facilitation team, my role involved:
• Assisting in Setup and Coordination:
I helped in preparing the space by arranging materials such as fabric, needles, sewing machines, and stationary kits. We ensured that the environment was safe, comfortable, and conducive to both learning and discussion.
• Delivering a Talk on Women Empowerment:
I addressed the participants, highlighting the importance of financial independence for women and the power of skill development in enabling self-reliance. My key message was centered on how economic empowerment leads to social empowerment, allowing women to make decisions for themselves and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
• Interactive Discussion Session:
Together with the senior Rotarians, I engaged in an interactive Q&A session where we discussed:
o The value of earning a livelihood
o Examples of successful women entrepreneurs
o Overcoming social and familial challenges
o Importance of not being fully dependent on male guardians

• Observation and Support During Training:
I assisted the trainers in demonstrating basic tailoring techniques and also helped individual learners with hand-holding support as they practiced sewing. Some participants were complete beginners, while others had prior experience but lacked confidence.

Outcomes
The immediate and visible outcome of the day’s session was enthusiastic participation and engagement by the women. Many expressed genuine interest in continuing their training and showed eagerness to use these skills to either support their household or start a home-based tailoring business.
Key outcomes observed:
• Awareness Building:
Many of the women had limited exposure to the concept of self-employment. After the session, they were able to see tailoring not just as a household skill but as a livelihood option.
• Boost in Self-Esteem:
The motivational talk and interactive session helped boost the participants’ self-confidence. Several women shared personal stories of wanting to support their children’s education and household expenses but felt unsure until now.
• Skill Advancement:
A few women, who had never used a sewing machine before, successfully stitched a basic pattern with the help of the trainer and volunteers, including myself.
• Commitment to Continue:
Most of the attendees committed to attending future training sessions and requested extended sessions on marketing, budgeting, and customer handling, reflecting a shift in mindset from passive learners to active entrepreneurs.

Impact Reflection
This session exemplified Rotary Club of Malda’s core philosophy — that change starts from the grassroots. It demonstrated how small efforts in education and skill-building can lead to major transformations in individual lives and community dynamics. For me personally, it was an inspiring experience to contribute not just with physical effort but with ideas and encouragement that planted seeds of hope and change.