SABR clients engaged in a training session
Interview with:
Madina Rakhimova, Executive Director and Saodat Akhmedova, Deputy Director, Socio Economic Development Centre (SABR), Uzbekistan
Socio-Economic Development Centre (SABR), based in Samarkand City, Uzbekistan, is an NGO founded in 1996 to support women survivors of domestic violence and their children. SABR seeks to “work with and for women and children in difficult socio-economic situations, providing support, encouragement, and the opportunity for an independent life in a safe environment.” SABR added a microfinance component to its operations in 2001, and officially became a microfinance institution (MFI) in 2006. The MFI aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of the most vulnerable layers of the population by strengthening their abilities to lead independent lives in a secure environment.
MIX: What led to the decision to include a microfinance component into your programming?
SABR: The results of socio-economic surveys in rural areas of Uzbekistan proved that the roots of gender inequality and violence against women are not found only in the gender stereotypes and traditions prevalent in a given society, but also in women’s economic dependence on their families or husbands. To address this problem, the priority of our programming became involving women from rural areas in entrepreneurial activities. The most appropriate means of supporting the startup of individual businesses is through microlending. At the time in 2001, microlending was the new and developing mechanism to support the low income layers of the population in Uzbekistan.
SABR includes the provision of microfinance services in the clients’ residence and monitoring the target groups’ loan use with the appropriate counseling and field support. This methodology supports women who find it difficult to leave their homes, particularly for victims of domestic violence. We also involve women in entrepreneurship activities and help them develop their businesses. The combination of these programs consequently works to reduce the level of abuse against women.
The approach turned out to be very effective. SABR’s microfinance and social programs mutually reinforce one another. This is because the socio-psychological climate within the family depends in part upon its financial welfare. As a result, business success, business activity, and the desire to improve the family’s financial situation are directly connected with socio-psychological factors. This is why a holistic approach allows for the possibility to reduce poverty, increase legal and psychological literacy, promote healthy lifestyles, and thus strengthen the socioeconomic activity of the rural population.
MIX: How does SABR measure the impact and effectiveness of its integrated approach that combines microfinance with social programs?
SABR: We carry out regular research in the field using the USAID Assessing the Impact of Microenterprise Services (AIM) tool and the Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network (SEEP) tool. The results of this research demonstrate a positive impact of the organizational activity toward the socio-economic situation of the target groups.
Among the indicators selected and used to study the effectiveness of our activities are:
- level of income and assets
- ability to accumulate savings
- quality of nutrition levels
- ability to create inputs into business development
- access and control over expenses
- satisfaction with the quality of life
- health status
- changes in gender relations and roles
The majority of these indicators showed improvement, while some of them stay at the same level. The research conducted in 2009 demonstrates, for example, that more clients had a chance to purchase construction materials in 2009 (an increase from 22% in 2008 to 37%). Attitude toward health also improved, which is demonstrated by an increased percentage of clients who spent a portion of their limited financial means to improve their health in 2009 than during the previous year. Our indicators show an increase not only in the percent of clients who purchased medicine, (44% in 2008 versus 55% in 2009), but also an increase in clients who spent money on items or activities that strengthen their health.
SABR clients learning about preventive medicine
MIX: Do you use market research or client assessment surveys to develop or improve your nonfinancial services? If so, what does this research tell you about the priorities of your clients?
SABR: Since 2001, SABR has conducted socio-economic surveys in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, track the socio-economic development of the clients, and develop monitoring and evaluation tools to help SABR become a more client-oriented organization.
As the result of the surveys, SABR developed and implemented a new socio-economic approach to support women. The research informed the improvement of our programs supporting women’s self esteem, growth of their business activities, health, and legal literacy. One of the new social products that came about was the creation of socio adaptation centers in the target regions and in Samarkand, where girls from low income families were trained in revenue-generating activities in computer literacy, sewing, and hairdressing.
Another need identified in the surveys was knowledge on basic business skills, which SABR now offers our clients through our business trainings and counseling. Business trainings are aimed at improving loan management, initial service or product marketing, and business planning skills. They are delivered by the microfinance team in cooperation with the social program staff.
MIX: How do your supporting services help to meet the specific needs of your women clients seeking refuge from domestic violence?
SABR: Women participate in social and business trainings delivered by SABR. In their opinion, the information they receive during trainings and counseling is very useful. They receive information about the psychology of family relations, conflicts within families, healthy lifestyles, basic nutrition and preventive medicine, and prevention of domestic violence. As one client explains in a survey:
[SABR’s] trainings helped me to increase my self-esteem. I started to respect myself, to love myself. People treat me with respect and listen to my advice. I feel that I am a valuable person, and my inferiority complexes disappeared. Much has changed in my family after I received a loan from SABR. We started with fattening calves with my husband, we buy 3 to 4 calves and then sell them after a certain period of time. Mutual understanding improved in our family. - SABR client, Payaryk districtThe role of these trainings is very significant in the lives of women. We have observed positive changes in their family relations, improvements in their self-esteem, changes in their attitude toward their own health, and confidence in the success of their businesses.
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