Within the slums of Chennai, particularly in the areas around Nungambakkam, many women face extreme hardship. Widows, deserted women, single mothers, and women with multiple dependents are among the most vulnerable. With little access to education, employment, or financial resources, they are often pushed into exploitative or irregular work simply to survive, trapped in a cycle of poverty, insecurity, and emotional distress.

Field assessments by the Sisters’ team across 10 slum communities identified 250 such women in urgent need of structured economic support. As primary breadwinners, they shoulder the responsibility of caring for young children, elderly parents, and sick dependents. Their stories echo silent suffering—the pain of exclusion, the struggle for survival, and the yearning to secure a dignified future for their families.

This project responds to that urgent need by focusing on dignity, livelihood, and hope. Through the formation of self-help groups and livelihood support initiatives, Mottukal is committed to empowering these women to break the cycle of poverty and reclaim control over their lives