Our area of intervention is the Vanur block of Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, which has been designated by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as one of the most industrially backward and
underdeveloped districts in India with roughly 75% of the population living in rural settlements and being engaged as small and marginal farmers and agricultural laborers.
The Gender Development Index for Villupuram district is 0.582 as against the value of 0.654 in Tamil Nadu, making this district the lowest in the state. This is visible with rampant
growth in violence against women, preferential treatment for boys, alcoholism, sexual abuse, lack of women’s participation in decision-making, minimal or no participation of women in
sports and cultural activities.
The secluded Castes/Dalits, considered as untouchables or impure by the community, constitute over 30% of the total population in this region, 10% above state average. Belonging to the
most vulnerable and downtrodden members of the community, they live separately from higher casts, with inter-caste interaction being restricted or prohibited in many cases.
Particularly women from the Dalit communities are even more devalued and excluded socially, which has substantial detrimental psychological consequences on their self-esteem and
self-confidence.
AVAG’s projects are aimed at empowering least developed rural communities, with focus on women empowerment and other marginalised groups. These groups are given tools to challenge oppression and inequality through various interventions like awareness programs, capacity building, training and sustainable livelihood projects.’ AVAG’s emphasis is on co-development and designing solutions, based on a deep understanding of the communities to reveal the innate wisdom and manifest the full potential of rural communities through collaborative efforts.
We foster socio-economic growth through solidarity and cooperative work within the communities and by strengthening the liaisons with the government, via well planned and
comprehensive programs in livelihoods, education and health, particularly for women and children.
AVAG’s Women Federation and SHG’s (Self Help Groups) are platforms, promoting self-reliant decision-making processes that are inclusive to all stakeholders.
Achieving gender equality and empowering women.
Empowerment programs to ensure that the poor have access to productive resources.
Reducing inequality by focusing on capacity building and community development.
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Using sports to bring youth from various villages together.
Workin with rural communities towards socio-ecological sustainability.
"Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise Human Unity."
