According to the 2011 Census, the Literacy rate of Uttar Pradesh is 71%. Male literacy is at 79%, while it is only 59% for the Females. This is well below the national average of 74% (82% for men and 65% for women). Low literacy, compounded by high levels of poverty is especially detrimental to women, who already suffer from gender inequality in a deeply patriarchal society rife with discriminatory norms and practices.
OUR STORY
A Silent Revolution in Uttar PradeshRGMVP
Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana (RGMVP) is the flagship poverty reduction programme of the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT), which was established to commemorate and take forward the vision of India’s former Prime Minister for the country’s development.
2002
WORK BEGINS
Women's SHG formation begins in Raebareli and Sultanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh
2007
STRATEGY EVOLVES
New strategy evolves into Three-Tier Model of SHGs in partnership with NABARD and SERP
2009
FIRST PHASE
First phase of scale-up plan initiated with the nurturing of social capital for SHG mobilisation
2010
HEALTH PROGRAMME
SHG scope modified by layering Health program with UNICEF to save newborns & mothers
2012
BMGF PARTNERSHIP
Collaboration with Gates Foundation to improve behaviour change and health indicators
2013
ONE MILLION
Milestone of bringing One Million women & household under the systematic pipeline of SHGs
2015
NEW THEORY
Developed new Theory of Change based on practice and empirical evidence generated
2016
MORE INNOVATION
Introduced innovative agriculture programs to double incomes of small & marginal farmers
WHY UTTAR PRADESH
Uttar Pradesh alone accounts for 20% of the poor in India and an
estimated 9% of the poor worldwide.
16%
Most Populous State
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the India accounting for 16% of the entire population.
73
Total Working Force
The primary sector in Uttar Pradesh still sustains an estimated 73% of the total working force.
25
Low Birth Weight
It is estimated that a staggering 25% of all babies born in Uttar Pradesh have low birth weights.
Human Development Challenges
Uttar Pradesh (UP) performs poorly on several human development indicators, lagging behind on health, nutrition, education and women’s empowerment. According to the National Human Development Report prepared by the Planning Commission in 2001, UP ranks 13 out 15 of the most underdeveloped and impoverished states in India.