Skill Development

Sanitation and Skill Development

There is a demand to skill up people in the sanitation sector. As a sector that is in the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, sanitation requires a range of skills from civil and water engineers, masons, planners and communication specialists and grassroots workers. SISASSS as a major sanitation implementing agency has trained thousands of workers in each district in India and overseas in skills related to sanitation and thus played a pivotal role in the skilling process of workers engaged in the sanitation sector in the last 28 years.

SISASSS also puts thrust in procuring locally resourced materials and employs local masons and engineers. It trains them in the process of implementing its projects. The organisation has built more than 1500 hundred household toilets and public toilets. SISASSS is increasingly looking at strengthening skills across sanitation verticals like construction, plumbing, advocacy workers, menstrual hygiene workers.

In the last 28 years, thousands of youngsters have successfully completed school leaving certificate. In line with SDG 4.3 (equal access to technical and vocation training), the institution also houses a vocational institutional training centre for students to get hands-on training in skill development.

SISASSS program imparts training in fields like fashion designing, electrical work, beauty and wellness and computing. The agenda behind the SISASSS program is to provide vocational training in areas that can help the youth to be self-reliant, promote entrepreneurship. Such programs are also designed to create skilled and trained manpower so that all youth and adults, especially girls and women, can acquire relevant knowledge, skills and competencies for decent work and life (SDG 4.4).

In addition, two specialities: stenography and sewing technology are run and certified by the Government of India’s Industrial Training Institute programme. SISASSS skill development initiative has trained 7118 men and women and most of them are in employability.

Based on the above model another skill development has been set up in Ukhral in Jammu where over 700 students have been trained since 2014.

Training on Menstrual Hygiene

Rural women are the main focus of such programs as they are not aware of menstrual hygiene. To bring menstrual hygiene awareness among them, a team goes to the door to door and speaks to the women of the household. A timely session with a doctor is also organized who gives relevant information to women on the menstrual cycle and menstrual hygiene. Emphasis on the use of sanitary napkins is also part of this program. Importance of hygiene during these days and how they can take care is also discussed.

Skill Development of Beneficiaries

Women in Slums

Women entrepreneurship program has been designed to impart livelihood skills to women, mostly housewives and school dropout are encouraged to sign up for developing skills in specialities like tailoring and beauty care. The idea is to inculcate a sense of economic empowerment and encourage savings. The programme involves a door to door campaign and the training is conducted in the slum. Over 3000 women have been trained and many have opened their own business in their own communities.

Skill Development in Villages

Sanitation offers a vital entry point into communities, and SISASSS has made skill development – especially those that contribute to women’s economic empowerment programmes – an integrated part of its intervention.

In the context of rural sanitation, SISASSS has adopted a community-based behaviour change approach by creating awareness and demand for sanitation and hygiene. In line with UNICEF guidelines, SISASSS has worked with women – mainly mothers – to achieve total sanitation by making them the agents of change. SISASSS intervention has had a remarkable outcome in reducing diarrheal disease, mortality and morbidity among children.

SISASSS officials have focussed on promoting health education in the following areas:

• Identify and avoid behaviours and environmental conditions that are likely to cause water and sanitation-related diseases (e.g., problem-solving, decision making).
• Communicate messages about diseases and infection to families, peers and members of the community (e.g., communication skills, interpersonal relationship skills).
• Encourage others (e.g., peers, siblings and family members) to change their unhealthy habits (e.g., critical thinking, communication skills, interpersonal relationship skills) – UNICEF.

Additionally, SISASSS has always stressed on adopting a gender-inclusive approach in its intervention programmes with a specific focus on girl students. It has set up Sulabh Sanitation Club, which is a child-centred and girls-led global movement of children and young people engaged in bringing about positive social transformation in schools by empowering girls. So far 64 clubs in 12 states of India, 6 in Nepal and Bhutan and 1 in South Africa have been set up. About 6,500 school children in more than 200 schools have been trained in school sanitation and hygiene education and menstrual health.

Cutting and Tailoring Course

Training on cutting and tailoring was imparted adolescences of Hirmathala village. 20-20 women group were divided into two batches, total of 40 women in a day were provided training on cutting and tailoring course. The duration of this course was six months, and later some of them joined the training centre as teachers. The course has attracted pupils even from neighbouring village. Many of them are now self-employed.

Beautician Course

Beauty trade training provided in 20-20 groups in two batches to women and adolescents of Hirmathala and nearby villages. The course has been completed and now students come to the centre to practice their skills.

Dona Pattal Making and Candle Making

Donna pattal and plates are hygienic, easily disposable and economical to make. Training on Donna patal and candle making was provided to women of Hirmathala village in two batches of fifteen each. Candidates who completed the course successfully were given certificates by Syndicate bank.