Without economic empowerment of women, the economic progress of the country is not possible
Bhagyashree Patil, Secretary District Legal Services Authority
To celebrate International Women's Day (IWD) our Snehadhar beneficiaries were joined by women from our rural areas where we operate self-help groups. They presented street plays, costumes, drama and dance on topics like women's equality, gender discrimination, women's literacy, the liberation of women from oppression and women's dignity.
Today women are working alongside men on all fronts and holding office from the highest levels as President of India and Finance Minister. Indian women have leaped from hearth to space breaking through previously impenetrable frontiers. Speaking at our women’s day celebrations, Bhagyashree Patil, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, asserted that our country's economic progress is only possible if every woman at grassroots level is educated, literate and financially empowered.
Assistant Police Inspector, Pallavi Deshmukh also gave information about cybercrime advising that sexual abuse can be emotional as well as physical. Representing the Bharosa Cell dedicated to supporting and seeking justice for women they often refer women in need to our One-Stop Center or Snehadhar Project.
District Legal Services Authority Committee Member, Advocate Sarika Khakal gave information about laws and schemes related to women, including a new website, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) which provides free legal services to women and information about all the free legal schemes available to them.
Neeta Patil and Rucha Patil from Srijan Mahila Project, Mumbai expressed the opinion that economic development of women is possible only through financial literacy. Professor Richa Sharma from Ahmednagar College appealed to the assembled women to improve their lives through education, stating when one girl learns, the whole house will learn.
To mark the day we also asked all of our staff and beneficiaries to write notes to the women who inspire them. The response was overwhelming and love was in the air as we distributed the notes of encouragement to our own Snehalaya #wonderwomen. Receiving almost 35% of the notes was Rekha, one of the workers in our kitchen. Those who have visited Snehalaya will remember her as a warm and positive person who acts as a mother figure to our children. She and everyone else receiving the notes were overwhelmed by the kind words their colleagues and beneficiaries had shared.
Our Balbhavan staff were also honored with the Best Social Worker awards on International Women's Day.