Celebrating Women Achievers and Grassroot Change Makers at MCCI Conference Hall
To mark the occasion of International Women’s Day, Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized a Special Session on “Celebrating Women Achievers and Grassroot Change Makers”, today at MCCI Conference Hall.
The session was addressed by eminent Change Makers of the society, Smt Baitali Ganguly, Founder, Jabala Action Research Organisation, Smt Anindita Majumdar, Founder & Managing Trustee Ashoka Fellow Equidiversity Foundation, Smt Oindrila Sinha, Networking and Partnership Head, Sanlaap, Smt Sanjina Gupta, Founder & Executive Director, RANGEEN KHIDKI and Smt Piyali Chakraborty, Project Lead, Transform Schools, People for Action.
While welcoming the guests, Smt Nita Bajoria, Chairperson, MCCI Ladies Forum in her address said that in India, talking about gender equality and women’s empowerment is one thing, and practicing it, in reality, is another. For a woman, especially when she comes from the grassroot level, still finds it challenging to survive in mainstream society.
Smt Bajoria expressed her gratitude to the women who are working tirelessly to bring about social change in the community. She felt that their stories will definitely inspire to do more and bring about further change.
Smt Baitali Ganguly, Founder, Jabala Action Research Organisation in her address said that Jabala foundation started its journey against social challenges like poverty, lack of education, human trafficking, child marriage, etc. Jabala has mainly worked in the red-light areas.
While sharing Jabala’s success stories Smt Ganguly shared that more than 1500 girls have not gone back to the profession of prostitution and with the help of the organization 500 girls were recused who are trafficked to Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.
Smt Anindita Majumdar, Founder & Managing Trustee Ashoka Fellow Equidiversity Foundation in her address said that Equi-diversity Foundation is working on improving the political sense of women. This foundation mainly focuses on political rights and works against gender-based violence.
While sharing success stories, Smt Majumdar mentioned that Equidiversity Foundation has already started their works on Gender responsibilities in Purulia, Birbhum, and South 24 Parganas. To increase Gender equality, sensitivity among youth, they have established Child Parliament in rural areas.
Smt Oindrila Sinha, Networking and Partnership Head, Sanlaap in her address said that Sanlaap is 35 years old social organization working against human trafficking and child abuse. Recently Sanlaap is working with the youth of Indo-Nepal and Indo- Bangladesh Border areas.
Smt Sinha informed that in 2017, Sanlaap foundation established School for Justice for victims who are interested in studying Law and provides them with education facilities, hostels, and course fees.
Smt Sanjina Gupta, Founder & Executive Director, RANGEEN KHIDKI in her address said that RANGEEN KHIDKI is the youth lead feminist organization that works on sexual reproductive health and rights on gender value to build capacity and create awareness among the young girl about their menstrual health.
Smt Gupta mentioned that they have already educated 6000 girls about their health and have been working with 1400 schools on this issue.
Smt Piyali Chakraborty, Project Lead, Transform Schools, People for Action in her address said that Transform School especially works with middle and high schools to improve the participation of the girl child in science and technology.
Smt Chakraborty informed that Transform school has come up with the idea of Do It Yourself workshop to increase their interest in science. While sharing their success stories, she mentioned that more than 42% of girls are showing their interest in science subjects and 53% of the students can adopt the technical learning skill.
The Session concluded with the hearty Vote of Thanks, proposed by Smt Bishakha Chaudhary, Member, MCCI Ladies Forum.
(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)
