A Socio-Economic Assessment of 300 Households Reveals Critical Gaps in Livelihood and Infrastructure

To solve a problem effectively, one must first understand its depth. At GJKS, we believe that development must be data-driven and rooted in the reality of the ground.

Recently, our team conducted an extensive Socio-Economic Survey covering over 1,000 women across 300+ households. Our objective was clear: to assess the true state of livelihood opportunities, educational needs, and social challenges in our operational villages.

The findings were not just statistics; they were a wake-up call. While the resilience of these women is undeniable, the systemic barriers they face are formidable.

1. Trapped in the Poverty Cycle

The most overarching finding of our survey is that these families are stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty. Despite their willingness to work, the lack of capital, skills, and resources prevents them from generating a surplus income. They earn enough to survive today, but not enough to invest in tomorrow. This stagnation means that without external intervention, the next generation is at risk of inheriting the same financial struggle.

2. The Transportation Trap: Losing Time and Money

For rural women, time is money—and our survey reveals they are losing both due to a severe lack of transportation.
Many of these women rely on selling agricultural produce or handmade goods to sustain their families. However, the survey found that limited transportation options are a major bottleneck.

Women are forced to spend nearly the entire day just to travel to the nearest market to sell their produce. This inefficiency is devastating; hours that could be spent on production, caring for children, or learning new skills are lost in transit. The cost and effort of travel often eat into their meager profits, making their hard work barely sustainable.

3. Living in the Dark: The Energy Crisis

Infrastructure challenges extend beyond the roads and into the homes. Our data highlights a rampant issue with electricity outages, particularly at night.

For a rural woman, the day does not end when the sun goes down. However, frequent power cuts leave them with no choice but to halt productive activities.

• Livelihood: Sewing, weaving, or other handicraft work cannot continue past sunset.

• Education: Children cannot study effectively in the dark, perpetuating the gap in education.

• Safety: Darkness increases vulnerability and limits mobility within the village.

4. Vulnerability to Nature’s Fury

The survey also highlighted the fragility of their economic existence in the face of natural disasters. Whether it is unseasonal rains, floods, or droughts, nature has struck these households hard. With no financial safety net or insurance, a single natural calamity wipes out years of progress, pushing families deeper into debt and insecurity.

The Way Forward

This survey is not the end of our work; it is the roadmap for our future.
The data from these 1,000 women has made GJKS’s mission clearer than ever. We now know that simple skills training is not enough. We need a holistic approach that includes:

• Market Linkages: Creating local collection centers so women don’t have to travel all day.

• Solar Solutions: introducing solar lamps and energy solutions to conquer the darkness.

• Disaster Resilience: Teaching sustainable farming and creating community emergency funds.

We have heard the voices of these 1,000 women. Now, it is time to act.