Share and Care Foundation’s Women Empowerment Committee (WE) has been striving to find simple and effective solutions to truly and completely empower rural women in India.
Today, there is much discussion on gender equality and women empowerment. It is a multi-faceted and deeply rooted issue in all countries. There is not one single solution to promote gender equality, nor will the problem be solved quickly. However, small steps can be taken to create significant change, and impact in the lives of women all around the world.
The women who WE impacts have limited education, and therefore have few skills that can translate to an income or self-sufficient life. They also come from traditional families, where women are not given the same importance or value as men. The WE committee decided on providing these women with the following:
A Story to Inspire
Over the years, the committee has seen many success stories. The following is one that continues to be Share and Care’s motivation to keep working: Ranjanben, a graduate of the WE Committee and Project Life’s 12-week training program designed to empower women, has suffered through unimaginable tragedies in her 36 years. Her husband, Keshavbhai, struggled for years trying to make enough money to support himself, his wife, and their 3 young children. The pressures of debt and hardship of his life caused him to develop severe mental health issues. Ultimately, he committed suicide along with his 3 children in the Sabarmati River.
Ranjanben saw her whole life fall apart, and no longer had the will to go on. Project Life provided her with continuous support and mentoring till she was ready to enroll in the livelihood skills training program. She chose the sewing class, having always had an interest in learning, and is now completely independent - living alone, and running a handmade quilt business. More importantly, she has found contentment, self-confidence, and self-respect. She now encourages and mentors other women enrolled in the training programs.