To be a woman in India
Indian women are often invisible. While wearing their brightly coloured saris and Punjabis and while walking with their slow-chafed gait, it is impossible not seeing them. Yet, their social consideration is barely non-existent. There are still several scourges for Indian women, among which selective abortion, feminicide (often targeting young children), early marriage, the institutionalisation of dowry and the cast system. All these factors contribute to making them invisible and survivors to discrimination and abandonment. Nevertheless, these women are actors full of agency, being breadwinners for their families, children, parents and even in-laws. In case of need, they ask for help and assistance in order to educate their children.
Why are we acting?
During the Covid-19 emergency, we met these women. They were coming from closed slums where there was no food available. Walking with their children on their arms, they were waiting in endless rows to get their food packages. None of them ever complained while waiting. On the contrary, they all had a smile of gratitude. After seeing so many of them on the front row, trying to protect and help their families, we have decided to start an organic program. The aim is offering them instruments to become autonomous. Supporting a woman means also protecting her family, guaranteeing the well-being of her children and helping to lift her entire community.
How do we act?
Our support program for Indian women will continue, one mother at a time, one child at a time, one family at a time. In the meantime, the most immediate and essential contribution we can make is assisting them with food packages. We promote 30kg nutritional kits with 20 different food items, which is sufficient for one whole month. We are also encouraging and supporting their emancipation and autonomy through the provision of tools to work. During this intervention, we aim at creating a sustainable path in which they can provide for themselves and their children. This program is not merely emergency assistance but also support for future growth.
How can you help
We are continually monitoring the situation of many women, mothers, daughters, widows, orphans living in challenging conditions. To date, we have the protection programme for 200 of them, and many of them will receive not only the nutritional kit but also the work tools. We will select the cases that are most exposed to poverty and discrimination, and we will guarantee them training and self-empowerment. We will do so through the donation of small, but fundamental, independence passports, such as carts, sewing machines, stalls, and so on.
50 € – Kit against hunger
There are many women breadwinners, who sustain whole households. In COVID
times, it is very complicated to gather enough for granting adequate nutrition to children.
With 50 euros you can give a 30kg nutritional kit with 20 different food items, which is sufficient for a whole month.
75 € – Ironing material for a mother
For women that could not pursue an education because of poverty, a small donation can mean the beginning of a new life. With 100 euros you can donate a model iron, an ironing board and all the necessary tools.
100 € – Seamstress to be
Being able to sew as an emancipation method. Giving a chance to perform small tailoring jobs in the neighbourhood can signify for a woman to reach independence. Please help us to provide a manual sewing machine.
150 € – Itinerant seller
For many mothers having a small cart can mean going to the market to buy legumes, spices flowers and being able to re-sell them in other streets or neighbourhoods.
With only 150€, you can deliver a pushing cart to a woman and with it guaranteeing a path to her economic independence.
200 € – Professional tailor
Many women have extraordinary tailoring abilities residing in the Indian slums. The only thing that lacks is the tool to do it. A sewing machine can be the driver for long-lasting change, allowing these women to set-up a tailoring shop.
With 200 euros, you can donate an essential tool for obtaining independence.
300 € – Micro bazaar
In every single corner of Indian cities, it is possible to encounter women selling various items. These are small shops that allow women to stay close to their homes, in case they need to assist their children. With 300 euros, you can help setting up a commercial activity that will genuinely contribute to the independence of India’s poorest women.
500 € – Street food counter
Before street food became widely popular in the Western world, in Asia, this tradition has been in place for a long time. In fact, it has allowed the local population to have access to nutritious food while contributing to the sellers’ income. With 500 euros, you are giving a woman the chance to have an economic activity that is fully sustainable.