AVAG pays special attention to women empowerment and micro credit. At present some 140 Women Self Help Groups (WSHG) have been set up. The following activities are undertaken by AVAG:

Micro Credit:
Please go to the following link for more information Micro Credit

Women's Day
Two years after the Tsunami, Women's Day is being celebrated again. Families are eager to participate in events such as Women's Day. Some 2500 women from the surrounding villages attend this celebration which was held at AVAG. Women participated in activities, such as:

Kolam competition
Ladies could express their creative talents at the Kolam Competetion. The judges selected the most beautiful and significant kolams and rewarded the winners.



Speeches
Different government officials, educationalists and WSHG members gave speeches on women's rights and empowerment, and the contribution of SHGs to the overall development of women.

Debate and Song Competition
Singing and debating are another way of sharing different experiences, points of view and ideas. Through songs and discussions women can share each other's life experiences and challenges.

Sports activities
Several sports activities were organised for the occasion of women's day. These included 'Kuja' racing, in which women carry earthen pots filled with water on their heads and musical chairs.



Entrepreneur Training
In the ACDC target villages the most common business activities are linked to the fishing sector (coastal villages) and the agricultural sector (inland villages). A majority of these businesses are family run. In this training women learn how to set up and run their own businesses, and about the importance of analyzing the market. They learn what type of enterprise would benefit them most (carpentry, tailoring, shop keeping). Group discussions take place on topics related to business. It enables them to earn an additional income and increases their job opportunities. Running a business also allows them to provide economic assistance to their families in times of need.

Tailoring Workshop
The tailoring workshop was initiated by AVAG in response to the need for alternative sources of income. Women learn how to sew clothes, both by hand and by machine. Each day there are two courses; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Until now, three groups of women have successfully completed their training. Equipped with new skills they become eligible for government loans which are used to set up their tailoring units.