Mahila Housing Trust

In the bustling lanes of India’s urban slums, women are often seen juggling multiple roles—caregivers, breadwinners, and community leaders. Yet, despite their resilience, many women in these areas face significant challenges in accessing basic services and securing sustainable livelihoods. For instance, did you know that in India alone, nearly 70% of urban poor women lack access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities? This statistic underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions that address the specific needs of these women, not just in India, but also in neighboring Nepal and Bangladesh. Since 1994, the Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) has been on a mission to empower these women through grassroots development. Central to our success has been the strong partnerships we’ve forged over the years—partnerships that have been instrumental in improving women’s health and supporting women in livelihood across South Asia. The NGO’s Role in Partnerships for Women’s Empowerment At M...

  Sustainable housing and climate resilience, particularly for vulnerable communities, are among the most pressing and linked issues in the mosaic of global challenges. Defining Sustainable Housing Making dwellings that prioritize energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and occupant well-being is known as sustainable housing. While maximizing societal advantages, it seeks to reduce harmful environmental effects. This method creates livable and resilient homes that contribute to a brighter future by considering elements like energy use, resource conservation, and indoor air quality. Its importance becomes more apparent when the needs of marginalized groups are taken into account. This blog explores the complex web of significance that sustainable housing creates, highlighting five essential aspects:  climate resilience and energy-efficient livelihoods , the invention of cool roofs, the safety of climate insurance, and the fight against heat stress. Understanding Vulner...

  Women empowerment can be defined as the process of equipping women with the knowledge, skills, resources, and agency to make informed decisions, participate in social, economic, and political spheres, and challenge gender inequalities. In the Indian context, it holds immense relevance due to its potential to drive progress and development. Women empowerment is not only crucial for achieving gender equality but is also a catalyst for India’s progress and development as it unlocks the full potential of women and fosters a more inclusive and prosperous society.  Grassroots organizations  play a significant role in empowering women, providing them with the necessary support, resources, and opportunities to thrive. Through their initiatives, they actively promote women’s empowerment, advocate for their rights, and work towards creating a more equitable society for all. Challenges and Obstacles to Women’s Empowerment in India Women’s empowerment in India faces several challen...

  Grassroots organizations are the bedrock of community development, fostering inclusive, sustainable, and gender-responsive cities. These organizations operate at the local level, driven by the collective efforts of community members who aim to address specific needs and advocate for positive change. We will discuss the importance of grassroots organizations in community grassroot development in this blog post, emphasizing their role in empowering communities, advancing gender-inclusive cities, and helping to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Understanding Grassroots Organizations: Grassroots organizations  are characterized by their bottom-up approach, community-led decision-making processes, and direct engagement with local residents. They develop naturally from inside communities, motivated by common worries and goals. These groups operate frequently on a volunteer basis and range in size from modest neighborhood associations to bigger networks.   The ...

  A concerted effort is needed at all levels to address the critical global issue of climate change. Local communities play a crucial role in building resilience to climate change. By empowering communities with knowledge, resources, and support, we can help them adapt to the impacts of a changing climate and create sustainable and resilient livelihoods. In this blog post, we will explore the key steps to empower local communities in building climate resilience, focusing on energy-efficient livelihoods, cool roofs, sustainable housing, climate insurance, and combating heat stress. Understanding Climate Change Resilience: Climate resilience refers to a community’s ability to withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise pose significant threats to communities worldwide. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world has already warmed by 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial lev...

  Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are those non-profit or voluntary organizations that are independent of any private or governmental control. They are aimed at promoting the interests of those who cannot represent themselves and at relieving their suffering. They work towards important social, human, and economic sustainability issues including making basic human rights accessible to everyone. These organizations have a distinct approach and style of decision-making that makes them critical for development practices, especially at the grassroots level. Continue reading to know more about how these organizations have a powerful impact on India’s development indices and their achievements. How are NGOs Uniquely Structured for Grassroots Development? Before we talk about how non-governmental organizations help in the achievement of development goals, it is important to understand how they are structured. This will give key insights into their essential role and how they help in...