Milk Lady Project re-launched
< Milk Lady Project re-launched in Dec. 2016 against demonetization>
After a completion of the pilot activities in March 2016, it took 6 months to incorporate COATA LLP for implementation of the Milk Lady Project as a social business. Although demonetization in November 2016 adversely affected start-up of the project, and even because of demonetization causing lack of cash in village women, COATA decided to begin the project in December 2016.
<Start small with 10 ladies without formulation of SHG>
Although, during the pilot stage, more than 100 ladies took part in a series of training, and about 20 ladies joined trial milk delivery, the project launched small with 10 ladies. They are very serious about doing milk business and have close relationship each other. This women group was going to be organized as SHG (Self Help Group) to be registered in rural bank. However, formulation SHG was skipped at this stage because bank operation wasn't normal due to demonetization since November 2016. COATA will try to acquire know-how with small scale, as well as coordinate the group as registered SHG, and develop a role model for scaling up in near future.
< Challenge toward authentic CSR project >
In the Milk Lady Project, one of the target who procures milk is a company with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) obligation. Now, Indian government has introduced CSR regulations which obligates Indian companies to secure budget for implementation of a project with social objectives such as poverty reduction, empowering women etc. In the project area, there are lots of companies which buy milk from conventional "Milkman" for their staff canteen. The project expects such companies to replace those milk with the milk supplied by the women's group. Since CSR seems to be similar to "Charity", some of stakeholders, particularly in field level, are not yet get familiar with proper procedure for CSR project,(e.g. monitoring of activities, keeping record for accountability, report writing, etc) So, for now, COATA thinks this is a "Learning by Doing" process with stakeholders; a challenge toward authentic CSR project.
< Men as Milk Lady Supporters >
" Delivery of milk by lady " is a key concept as well as one of the approaches for empowering rural women in the Milk Lady Project. Young ladies who have less difficulty in driving are the main players for delivery, and so, trained by the project. Even such young ladies, it is not easy to go outside
village and visit company for the first stage. They feel shay and there are lots of social barriers remain in reality.
(That is why COATA emphasis on women empowerment !! ) In order to cope with such issues, the project appointed milk lady supporters. They are men from ladies' family members; husband, farther, brother and son. The supporters go delivery together with young ladies until they get confidence to do it by themselves. COATA believes that men's understanding of and support to women empowerment is crucial for success of the Project.
