Scheme to empower single women

By Our Staff Correspondent

JAIPUR, MARCH 3. In a unique attempt to empower widows and deserted women, an Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan has been formed in Rajasthan with a view to bringing together the low-income single women. The organisation includes widows and the women deserted by their husbands, divorced women and those who have walked out due to abuse.

The organisation will work towards changing the social customs that marginalise single women, overcome superstitions and cruel practices, strengthen the economic position of women, take collective action on atrocities committed against women and help them take advantage of various laws, policies and schemes of the Government.

The members of the State Committee of the newly-formed body, who were here to attend a four-day training programme, told reporters today that the Sangathan had the potential to help widows, separated women and single women to change their situation and fight against marginalisation by social customs, mental and physical torture, economic side-lining and exploitation.

The concept of establishing such an organisation had emerged in a Widows' Conference held at Bassi, near here, in November 1999, which was attended by over 425 widows from 22 districts in Rajasthan. A State-level coordination committee of widows formed on the occasion later felt the need to broaden the concept to include the women who were alone.

The Sangathan has started working in 55 blocks of 23 districts in the State with a membership of over 2,400 women. It has currently the support of two Non-Government Organisations - Aastha Sansthan based in Udaipur and Hadoti Hastshilp Sansthan based in Kota. Ms. Manjula Joshi of Hadoti Hastshilp Sansthan said the plan was to bring into being a three-tier organisation of block, district and State committees across the State and a strong membership base.

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Section  : Other States
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