Project Mesha: Transforming the Lives of Rural Women through Improved Livestock Management

Pashu Sakhis: empowerment and satisfaction

• Way of Doing Job and Confidence: The program has significantly improved how Pashu Sakhis do their everyday job. In 2022, two in five Pashu Sakhis reported improvements in how they do their job. By 2023-24, nearly all Pashu Sakhis reported improvements, with seven in ten reporting significant improvements. Key outcomes include an improved ability to manage diseases, goat-rearing knowledge, and castration skills, all contributing to greater self-confidence.
• Development of Entrepreneurial Skills and Financial Planning Abilities: In 2023-24, nearly 9 in 10 Pashu Sakhis have plans to manage and increase their income. Tenured Pashu Sakhis (those with 2+ years of experience) are more likely to invest in business to sustainably increase their income, while newer Sakhis want to focus on providing more services. This reflects their growing financial confidence and an entrepreneurial mindset fostered by Project Mesha, one of the program’s key impact goals.
• Net Promoter Score (NPS): Pashu Sakhis’ satisfaction with the program has reached an all-time high, with an NPS of 90 in 2023-24, up from 65 in 2022. This reflects their appreciation for improved skills, financial standing, and social status.
• Challenges: The challenge rate for Pashu Sakhis has significantly dropped to 23% in 2023-24 from 72% in 2022, though issues like lack of trust and buy-in from goat rearers and requests for free services persist.

Impact of 60dB data on Project Mesha

The insights emerging from the 60 Decibels studies have been instrumental in refining Project Mesha’s approach. For instance, recognizing the safety concerns reported by Pashu Sakhis in the data, the program implemented self-defense training for them. This boosted their confidence and helped them do their jobs better. Responding to some of the challenges reported by goat rearers, particularly irregular visits by Pashu Sakhis, the Project Mesha team invested significantly in community mobilization to strengthen dialogue and collaboration between goat rearers and Pashu Sakhis. This has emerged as a win-win situation for both – Pashu Sakhis have expanded their goat rearer client base thereby increasing their incomes and goat rearers are able to access more services from Pashu Sakhis.

Conclusion

Project Mesha’s collaboration with 60 Decibels has shed light on the significant strides made in empowering rural women through productivity improvements in their goat flocks, an asset perceived by women to be their own. The data underscores how gender-focused interventions can catalyze broader social and economic change. By prioritizing gender equity and responding proactively to the needs of rural women, Project Mesha is not only improving livelihoods but also advancing the larger goal of achieving social and economic equality for women in rural India. Yet, the journey towards gender equality is ongoing and the insights from this continuous assessment highlight the importance of consistent efforts for a lasting impact. Leveraging these insights, Project Mesha remains committed to refining its strategies and ensuring that its impact on the lives of rural women remains both profound and transformative.