Habitat India has built homes for 140 farmers’ widows across Maharashtra and aiming to serve 500 farm widows
Mumbai (India CSR): 50 distinguished women from the world of business and industry came together to spread awareness and support the families of farmers’ widows in Maharashtra.
In India, a farmer commits suicide once every 32 minutes. Since 1995 over 3,00,000 farmers have committed suicide leaving behind distraught wives and children, many having no roof over their head. To help such farmers’ widows to get back on their feet, Habitat for Humanity India has been helping the widows to build a home for their family. Till date, Habitat India has built homes for 140 farmers’ widows across Maharashtra and aiming to serve 500 farm widows.
“It is time to adopt a gender-sensitive approach to the problem of farmer suicides in Maharashtra that has reached unprecedented scale and proportions. Our Women Build India strives to help such women gain respect and dignity in their community. Today’s meeting was one such initiative to empower women to come forward and help more women in need,” said Sheila Kripalani, Chair, Women Build India, Habitat India and Managing Trustee of Grace International and Board Member of Terry Fox (India) Committee.
“We need to recognize that women form a key part of the rural economy and social ecosystem. Efforts need to be expedited to ensure their sustainable development and empowerment by providing them a strong social security net and long-term livelihood measures,”said RaellPadamsee, Managing Director and CEO, Ace Productions and Founder, Create Foundation.
“I am really happy to be here today. I’ve heard about Habitat’s Women Build India and today I am understanding the extent of good work of providing shelter for marginalised women in the country. I am proud to be here and excited to be a part of this initiative.” said ZebaKohli, chocolatier, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
The highlight of the High Tea Season held at Miss T, Colaba on April 10 was a silent auction in which items like Antonio Bernini watches, a set of Dia Earrings, Just Cavalli watches, Swaroski earrings and Ann Klein Gold watch were auctioned. Funds raised from the auction were handed to Habitat for Humanity India, which will be used for building homes for the widows of farmers in Maharashtra.
