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Women Welfare / Development

Civic body to train women in napkin making

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The Times of India          04.09.2013

Civic body to train women in napkin making

AURANGABAD: The woman and child welfare committee of the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has approved a proposal to give training to over 500 women in making sanitary napkins. The plan aims at empowering members of self-help groups and other women belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society.

Committee president Prajatka Bhale said the AMC was planning 45 days' training, including 15 days of practicals, for the women to create new employment opportunities for them. "Initially we will focus on the manufacturing part. Later, we will create a special platform for marketing of the products. For this, we are trying to install sanitary napkin deposing vending machines at various locations."

"We are encouraging members of all the AMC-associated SHGs to take active part in the training. Other women may also join the course at subsidized rates," Bhale added.

Premlata Karad, in charge of the women and child welfare department in the AMC, said, "Some reputed institutions have expressed their willingness to run the programme according to our requirements. We are also exploring other options."

When asked about the fees, Karad said the project was at an initial state and the actual cost had not been finalised. She, however, added that the candidates will have to pay 10% of the total training charges.

Karad said the project would create an employment opportunity for the women and they could sell the products in the open market. "Those interested in selling it under one umbrella will be provided assistance," she added.

SHG's candidates in the age group of 18 to 45 years can participate in the programme for which the civic body has planned an expenditure of Rs 9.85 lakh. The AMC will provide additional funds for procuring vending machines in the second phase.

Another senior official in the women and child welfare department said they were looking for vending machine suppliers. "Recently, we have come across a supplier who is ready to design the vending machine as per our requirement... The machines would cost around Rs 30,000 each."

The AMC may install six to seven vending machines at strategic locations.

 

PMPML takes first step towards women’s safety, commuters call it half-hearted

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The Indian Express                20.08.2013

PMPML takes first step towards women’s safety, commuters call it half-hearted

Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) has finally taken the first step to make travelling safe for women commuters on its 1,500 buses that ply in Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad and beyond. The transport utility has now started allowing women and girls to board buses through the front door at starting points besides ensuring reserved seats for them.

However, the move that was implemented last week without much fanfare and women commuters actually knowing about it, has not gone down well with the commuter groups who are describing it as a "half-hearted" move.

Activists argued that PMPML administration is not concerned about the safety of women commuters. "Instead of allowing women commuters to board buses from front door at all the bus stops, PMPML is providing the facility only at starting points. This is simply ridiculous," said Jugal Rathi of PMP Pravasi Manch.

Slamming PMPML officials, Rathi said the administration led by CMD R N Joshi and Joint MD Pravin Ashtikar do not seem to be serious about augmenting the popularity of PMPML buses. "PMPML should be going all-out to make its service popular. If women commuters feel safe, why would they travel by two-wheelers and autorickshaws? A large number of women commuters avoid buses because of the rush and inconvenience of getting inside," said Rathi.

Rathi said Ashtikar has the will power but he is not ready to confront the lower ranked officials who are not enthused with the move.

Sanjeevani Pandey, a homemaker from Chinchwad, said if the PMPML administration wants to really make women commuters feel safe, they should allow them to board from the front door.

"It is clear that PMPML administration does not understand the hardships women face while travelling. While boarding the bus, there is a mad scramble. Men push women aside and youths behave in objectionable manner. At times, women are also injured in the melee," she said.

Corporator Seema Salve said it is difficult to understand why PMPML is hesitating to make the bus service safer for women commuters. "People have developed a habit of avoiding buses and travelling by two-wheelers and cars. PMPML officials should try to find out why is this happening."

Rathi said it seems only Shrikar Pardeshi, the PCMC chief and one of the directors, would be able to turn things around. "During his short tenure as CMD, Pardeshi tried his best to improve the service. After his short tenure, it seems PMPML has again run out of ideas. But we have hope as Pardeshi is still the director of the transport utility," he said.

However, Prashant Inamdar, convenor of Pedestrians First, said,"We welcome the PMPML's small initiative. We are sure PMPML will do more to ensure safety of women commuters." Inamdar said he has received a message from Ashtikar saying that PMPML has taken a first step in ensuring safety of women commuters and would introduce other steps in phases. "I think officers down the line are not enthused. They are citing meak reasons which is why Ashtikar has not been able to implement all the measures. But they have made a good beginning."

 

Corporation to focus on 'Sabala' for eve-friendly city

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The New Indian Express          19.08.2013

Corporation to focus on 'Sabala' for eve-friendly city

Inching a step closer to the launch of Safe City programme and ‘Sabala’, an initiative for security of women in the city, the Corporation is planning to convene a meet to evaluate the steps taken so far in this regard.

Accordingly, the meeting which will be held on August 30 will discuss in     detail the plans designed to ensure maximum safety to women while commuting   using public transport and going to school thereby preventing sexual harassment and violence against them.

The proposed plan was launched as per the study conducted by women's  organisations, which identified major spots in the city that are unsafe for women.

The Corporation has launched the Safe City project by joining hands with Sakhi, Anweshi and Samanwaya. “The representatives of the various women empowerment organisations will attend the evaluation meet. A collective action is essential for implementing programmes aiming to end violence against women. On the basis of the recommendations, we will work on an action plan that will make Kochi a safe city for women,” Deputy Mayor B Bhadra said.

Earlier, the Corporation has also announced a few ambitious projects under the special proposal titled ‘Sabala’. The various projects include free education for children from homes with only women,  a modern lodge exclusively for women where the entire staff will be women and an women-only buses .

“Besides, we are planning to carry out the other key proposal mooted in the budget for the safety of women. These include special counselling session for students along with awareness campaigns in colleges and schools on the evils of mobile phones and internet, “ Bhadra added.

The Corporation is also planning to launch more awareness campaigns for the safety of women. “Our plan is to prevent violence against the women by raising awareness among the public,” the deputy mayor added.

 


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