The objectives of this program are:

• To organise the Dalit women into self help groups for their group dynamics and development. 

• To develop the decision making capacity and leadership skill to the Dalit women

• To equip the Dalit women for organizing collective action programme and to develop them through Rights Based Approach (RPA).

• To develop the socio health status of Dalit women for their better living.

• To increase the earning capacity of rural Dalit women towards their sustainable livelihood.

POPE has formed 22 Self Help Groups among Dalit women through following the given below process:

• Conducting evening meeting, at least minimum two meetings in each village.

• Identification of village leaders, formal and informal leaders, both men and women.

• Building rapport with the community.

• High lighting women’s problems and village issues.

• Discussion on the need for organizing self help groups among women.

• Preparing guidelines on the functioning of self help groups.

• Discussion on the roles and responsibilities of office bearers of SHGs and members.

• Selection / Election of office bearers in the democratic ways.

• Conducting weekly meetings.

• Recording the meeting minutes.

• Collection of regular savings.

• Internal credit rotation.

• Discussion on women issues.

• Health intervention education.

• Utilization of Government health, development and welfare services.

• The saving amount was utilized to the members of SHG as credit for the following purpose

• Treatment of disease

• Replacement of housing roofs

• Children’s education

• Meeting family needs of emergency

• Starting income generation programme

• Repaying the debt from the village money lenders.

• Procuring the seasonal agricultural commodities like rice / groundnuts etc., for better price after the harvesting period.

• Purchase of livestock animals

• Purchase of family assets

• Construction of low cost latrines etc

Women are organized together to raise their voice in the following ways:

R.D.O. Office, Tiruvannamalai:

Women’s procession was organized and insisted against the women rights violation among Dalit women and a petition was given to Revenue Divisional Office at Tiruvannamalai. They have brought the atrocities against women to the district level offices for intervention and making appropriate policies. A press meet was also organized. The women got training and practice to meet the Government official to explain their needs and problem.

Land Rights struggle at District Collectorate:

Dalit women were organized to raise their voice to get back their D.C. lands, which was given to the Dalits during British period. A written memorandum was given to the District Collector to intervene immediately to get back their D.C. land. A procession was organized, followed with the press meet. The women were understanding and learned the legal procedure to conduct programmes to explore their demands through press meeting, official meeting and voice raising.

Walk for Drinking Water:

Women were organized to have a walk for water. Women were affected due to drinking water problems. They have to walk for long distance to fetch water. Press meet was organized on the following issues:

1.   Violation of fundamental rights among Dalits.

2.   Need for Road to reach to funeral ground which was kept for Dalits.

3.   Land redistribution for Dalits.

4.   Prevent illegal alcohol production and selling.

5.   Demanding burial grounds for Dalits.