Uplifting women at their door steps

This is the era, where women are raising voice for 50 per cent reservation in elections. Whereas, even today it can be seen one section of women fear to step out of women. Specially, for religious minorities residing in slums, its a herculean task to come out of their homes.

Realising their situations, 'Gnana Jyothi Samsthe', an NGO is visiting their place personally and providing them training at their door steps. It has brought cheers among thousands of women by making them economically self-reliant, so that they can lead an independent and dignified life, without being subjected to harassment and ill-treament in a society dominated by males.

Been relentlessly working for past 12 years for the upliftment of women residing in slum areas, the organisation has so far imparted training to more than 4,800 women in their chosen fields of interest, thereby helping them to earn some money. Awareness programme on health, education, legal issues are held to make them educated about various issues.

Even measures have been taken to make them access for various government schemes. Providing of free tailoring machines, informing them about various government schemes, how to take loan with the certificates, and much more. Recognising their services for the cause of downtrodden women the State Government conferred the 'Kittur Rani Chennamma Award'.

“Hailing from BPL (Below Poverty Line), we were not exposed to outer world and not even aware of works. But now we have started earning sitting at home. We are creating colourful embroidery designs on clothes and are selling them to Jum Jum Bazar, Meena Bazar,” said Sumiya firdoz and Salma jamal who have underwent training from last six months in embroidery, tailoring at Haleem Nagar Slum and are very eager to learn fashion designing in coming days.

Rani Training Head says: “bringing Muslim Women out of house was big task. Amidst lot of opposition, the programme anyways kick started.”

Organising Secretary Hemavathi said that in one batch about 80-90 undergo training and government should take measures to distribute  more number of machines. At present seven sewing machines are distributed at free of cost in every ward.

With 2000 members in strength at Organisation, a batch of five women have underwent a special training in Food Processing at CFTRI. They in turn trained other members in their Organisation.  The women are provided free training in professional courses such as Beautician, Food Processing and Preservation, Tailoring, 50 varieties of embroidery designs, Computer, Fashion Designing, Papad and Pickle making and several such other courses where there is a huge demand for skilled labour and services.

Organising President Sharadamma said that “we provide training to women living in slums and we continue our efforts to make them self reliant.”