Commissioner/Secretary of Technical Education & Skill Development/Social & Tribal Welfare for the Union Territory of Ladakh, Padma Angmo, inaugurated the nine-day Capacity Building Program for Anganwadi workers/helpers of the Social Welfare Department of UT Ladakh. This program, part of the pilot project Usha Silai School Program in Anganwadi centers, focuses on sewing, stitching, and general life skills. It commenced on October 28, 2023, and is set to run until November 5, 2023. During the inaugural session, Abied Hussain, the Officer on Special Duty to the Commissioner Secretary of TE&SD, Ladakh, welcomed the participants, including the Commissioner Secretary, Director of Social & Tribal Welfare UT Ladakh, Child Development Project Officer, Leh, Program Coordinator from Usha International Limited (UIL), the course instructor from UIL, and the trainees. Commissioner/Secretary Padma Angmo emphasized the importance of enhancing the skills of Anganwadi workers/helpers through training in sewing, stitching, sewing machine maintenance, and repair. These workers will serve as master trainers, further extending training and livelihood opportunities to women in rural areas. The Usha Silai School program aims to create sustainable livelihoods, empower women economically, and drive socio-economic growth in the region.
The pilot program is implemented across 13 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) projects in Ladakh’s UT, including 7 in Kargil district and 6 in Leh district. Based on the outcomes, further expansion of the project will be considered.
Tashi Dolma, Director of the Social & Tribal Welfare Department, UT Ladakh, expressed that this training will equip Anganwadi staff with new skills, ultimately boosting their income. They can then share this training with rural women in their villages, empowering them and fostering micro-entrepreneurship.
Tsering Youtol, Child Development Project Officer, Leh, explained that this project is a significant step in enhancing the skills of Anganwadi staff.
Shayista Ayoub, the Program Coordinator from Usha International Limited, provided an overview of the project. She highlighted that the training covers sewing/stitching, machine repair, and life skills. The goal is to promote financial independence among women, enabling them to take on decision-making roles in their lives and families.
The capacity-building program was jointly organized by the Ladakh Skill Development Mission, Directorate of Social & Tribal Welfare Ladakh, and Usha International Limited under the “Usha Silai School program” pilot Project in the Anganwadi Centres of UT Ladakh.
