How a community bank is reducing climate change risks for working women in India

She invested in a precision pump and diversified into vegetable growing to achieve a more stable income. Over time, this financial boost helped her family move from a makeshift thatched hut into a sturdy concrete home.

In addition to her farm work, Bhavanben struggled with the hardship entailed by traditional firewood cooking, which involves spending long hours gathering wood and poses health risks. When SEWA introduced her to biodigesters, she succeeded – despite some initial hesitation – in setting up a biogas plant. As she now generates enough gas to cook for 10 to 15 people using only cow dung and water, she no longer needs to collect firewood or pay for expensive LPG refills. She also uses the leftover slurry as organic manure, which increases her farm’s productivity and generates additional income.

Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) is a trade union for women working in the informal sector in India.
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