Eliza Boro embodies grit and resilience, rising against all odds to emerge as a formidable community leader and a skilled entrepreneur. A single mother and the secretary of Mahila Shakti Kendra, a society that began as a self-help group in 1999, Eliza’s dedication to empowering women and generating livelihood opportunities has made a transformative impact in her community. A feminist in every sense, she has tirelessly assisted many women in her village to repay debts, freeing them from the grip of local moneylenders.
Her journey is one of resilience and resourcefulness. Recalling her struggle, Ms. Eliza shared, “My husband borrowed money from local moneylenders, but couldn’t repay it. The interest alone grew to nearly ₹28,000. One day, he abandoned me and our two children, fleeing the village. I had no choice but to intervene.”
Eliza began weaving to repay the debt, putting every penny she earned toward the mounting loan. When this proved insufficient, she joined the self-help group and secured a government-backed loan at a lower interest rate, which finally enabled her to clear the debt entirely.
With her debt burden relieved, Eliza ventured into poultry farming, achieving significant success. As her circumstances improved, she dedicated herself further to the Mahila Shakti Kendra, focusing on preventing domestic violence and human trafficking in their border-state region.
“Ours is a border state, so instances of human trafficking are common. When someone travels interstate, they must inform the village head and provide contact details,” she explained. To support trafficking survivors, Eliza and her team developed skill-building programs, offering training in silk rearing, weaving, farming, and other trades.
Ms. Eliza shared that in the early days, skepticism was rife. “People didn’t take us seriously at first and wouldn’t allow us to handle finances, fearing we’d misplace or misuse funds. But over time, we earned their trust,” she recalled. Juggling personal and professional demands wasn’t easy, especially as a single mother. “Raising two children alone, with only weaving as my source of income, was challenging. But my family was supportive and always helped,” she said.
Today, Eliza’s entrepreneurial spirit has blossomed. She now runs her own pig and poultry farms and has expanded into farm products with her group. Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted operations, including disruptions in securing quality yarn for their weaving business, Eliza’s resolve remains unshaken.
Despite these obstacles, Eliza has found her calling and is committed to advancing Mahila Shakti Kendra to new heights, empowering women and fostering resilience in her community.
Also Read: From courts to grassroots: How Sunil Mow is transforming Arunachal