Manipur: Amidst unrest, self-help groups provide skill-based training to empower women living in relief camps

Women who have been displaced by violence in Manipur may get skill-based training from a number of self-help organizations. The training program is intended to assist these ladies in becoming economically independent while they are now living in relief camps. The self-help groups concentrate on teaching useful skills like how to make candles, incense sticks (agarbatti), and disinfectants.

Kongkham At the Wangkhei Relief Camp in the Imphal East region, Monica, a displaced lady from the Serou area in her early thirties, got instruction in these crafts. Monica recounts that they were totally reliant on contributions after the May fires that destroyed their houses.

But a program for skill development was set up by the Kangleipak Women Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. Along with learning how to package these goods for sale, participants also learned how to make candles, incense sticks, and disinfectants.

Local volunteers provide the supplies needed to make these things. The displaced people get a direct share of the sales proceeds. These ladies are now able to make a modest living thanks to the skill training program. They’re determined to turn things around despite the first setbacks.

“The skill development program has enabled us to generate some extra income. When we first arrived at the camp, we had nothing and were entirely dependent on donations from others. But even though things are still difficult, we are trying,” she said, according to news agency PTI. She further mentioned that a market shed was constructed by a civic authority to sell our goods.

Similar skill-training initiatives are carried out by Eta, another nonprofit, to assist the displaced victims of conflict in Manipur. They evaluate the talents of hundreds of displaced women and look into their economic options.

“We conducted surveys in 26 relief camps in Bishnupur district, one of the state’s most severely impacted regions, after the outbreak of violence. As reported by news agency PTI, “We engaged with hundreds of displaced women to evaluate their abilities and investigate prospects for them to improve their financial stability.” Eta trustee Samom Beerjurekha stated.

Local volunteer Babyna Maibam highlights that the vocational training gives internally displaced women hope. With these newly gained abilities, they will be able to support themselves when they ultimately return home.

Currently, more than 50,000 internally displaced individuals are housed in relief facilities spread across the hill and valley regions of Manipur. Violence broke out in the state on May 3 of last year during a “Tribal Solidarity March.” The ethnic conflict claimed the lives of at least 219 individuals. The Meitei community’s quest for Scheduled Tribe (ST) designation was the root of the dispute.

The majority of Meiteis, who make up around 53% of Manipur’s population, reside in the Imphal Valley. In contrast, 40% of the population is made up of tribal people, mostly from the hill areas and comprising the Naga and Kuki tribes.