The “Atma Shakti for Leprosy Victims” project empowers women from leprosy-affected communities through self-help groups, leadership and business training, and income-generating activities, helping them overcome stigma, build financial independence, and strengthen their families.

Atma Swabhiman works with families living in leprosy colonies in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, where communities face both the challenges associated with the disease and widespread social stigma. Limited literacy, employment opportunities, and social isolation have made it difficult for many women to achieve financial independence and participate confidently in community life. With support from IDS, the project uses Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to bring women together and build their leadership, financial management, and entrepreneurial skills. Women work in groups of approximately 10–20 members and receive training to develop and sell products with local demand, including herbal soaps, floor cleaners, guava jam, and pickles. The approach focuses on moving women from dependence toward self-reliance and entrepreneurship. The project has reached 223 women through 20 Self-Help Groups across 10 leprosy colonies. Participants are learning to manage finances, operate small businesses, and take leadership roles within their communities. The program has also contributed to broader family and community-level change, with more than 500 children benefiting from improved household incomes and approximately 60 local men supporting the women-led groups. A notable success story is Sandhya Mahato, who lost her husband and struggled to support her family by collecting scrap metal for very little income. After joining an SHG, she left this physically demanding work and began making snacks from her home. Her small venture eventually developed into a home-based shop, providing her with a more reliable livelihood and enabling her to support her children's education. She has also become a mentor to other women, demonstrating how collective support and entrepreneurship can help overcome poverty and stigma. Overall, the project combines women's empowerment, rehabilitation, livelihood development, and social inclusion, helping women affected by leprosy regain confidence, build sustainable incomes, and take greater leadership in their families and communities.