Empowerment in Soratur: Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Strength.
SORATUR Village (Gadag) Karnataka (India CSR): Yelisirur and Soratur Villages of Gadag District in Karnataka are witnessing an awakening of sorts. The Girls and Women at these villages have made a good mind of fighting head-on any and every form of gender-based discrimination and violence. In combat gear they stand resolute to dismantle age-old stereotypes that put them on a weak foot.
Awakening of sorts
Ever since India’s oldest and largest Environmental Commodity Managing Firm Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited in conjunction with nationally renowned social change making organization ARCH Development Foundation has rolled out the Intervention Abhaya – The Fearless, girls from Yelisirur and Soratur villages have been making a beeline at the Mixed Martial Arts Training Centre that has been especially established.
Notably this intervention is in the vicinity of Renewable Energy Projects belonging to Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited’s esteemed clients.
The overall objective of this Intervention is to progressively work towards attaining equal status for women and girls of Yelisirur and Soratur villages in all aspects of Rights-Based Development within the community. The endeavor is to empower the Girls and Women to lead an indomitable life masticating gender inequality, and social aberrations and claim the fair share of progress and development that society owes to them.
Also Read: CSR: A Message Loud And Clear
Intervention Touchpoints
Learning combative self-protection is one of the very many facets of Abhaya – The Fearless. Women and Girls are being sensitized about their Rights as enshrined in The Constitution and the Social Welfare Schemes that they are entitled for. They are being trained for an appropriate response mechanism and legal recourse should any of their rights is compromised or violated. In a society where fine equilibrium of gender egalitarianism is to be maintained, it is equally important to sensitize boys and men about the Rights and Entitlements of Girls and Women. This is particularly emphasized upon and ensured under the ambit of Abhaya – The Fearless.
The forever on-toes volunteers of ARCH Development Foundation constructively engage with the District and Block Administration to ensure that the women and girls get the benefits of the social welfare schemes they are entitled for. Children are also being provided After School Assistive Education Classes to bridge learning gaps, particularly in the aftermath of COVID – 19 which disrupted classroom learning for a prolonged period.
Women of Soratur and Yelisirur in particular are being imparted Financial Literacy. Children in both these villages are being encouraged to participate in academic and extracurricular activities and competitions. That’s not all. Efforts are underway for bringing the out-of-school children back to school in age-appropriate classes so that they are mainstreamed into formal education system.
***
Message from Hon’ble Minister of Law & Parliamentary Affairs & Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka H.K. Patil
On Friday 20th October 2023 Hon’ble Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka H.K. Patil shared an inspirationally encouraging message with the Girls and Women i.e., the Primary Beneficiaries of the Intervention Abhaya – The Fearless. A message that was delivered on behalf of Minister Shri. H.K. Patil by his son Krishna Patil, a revered Youth Icon in Gadag District encouraged the girls and women by invoking their inherent power and strength.
In a special event to dedicate the ongoing Intervention ABHAYA- The Fearless to public, Shri. Krishna Patil said, “As we celebrate Navratri – The 9-day long festival that marks the triumph of good over evil led by women, this Intervention and the associated event becomes all the more contextual and significant. A safer community for women and girls where they are able to realize all their Rights and Entitlements is key to a safer Country and a safer World. No effort towards unleashing the true potential of girls and women can ever be small or insignificant.
We remain committed to extending full cooperation to Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited and ARCH Development Foundation for the objective they have set out through Abhaya – The Fearless. Other villages will also get to learn from the experience of Yelisirur and Soratur to put the welfare and well-being of girls and women at the apex. This is indeed a new dawn for Yelisirur and Soratur villages. It’s just a matter of time before the Sun shines brightly to radiate its light of women empowerment over other districts and villages too.”
Also Read: CSR: Where their Mind is Without Fear
***
In her keynote address, Sonkee Shah – CEO of ARCH Development Foundation said, “At the heart of this pathbreaking initiative lies the establishment of a cutting-edge self-defense and Mixed Martial Arts Training Center. Here, women and girls are equipped with vital skills and techniques to ensure their safety thereby nurturing self-reliance and empowerment in the process.”
“This Center, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a passionate team of skilled trainers, is dedicated to imparting invaluable knowledge and building unshakable confidence among the beneficiaries. Empowering women is not just about physical endurance. It’s about giving them the tools and knowledge to be in complete control of their lives. Intervention Abhaya is not just an initiative; it’s a Movement towards a safer and more equitable society. We commend Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited for taking this remarkable step towards a brighter future for women and girls in Gadag District of Karnataka.”
***
In a read-out message for the august gathering, Puneet Katyal, Chief Executive Officer, Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited said, “Can you even imagine, the level of self-confidence and empowerment the girls and women of future generations will demonstrate in the wake of efforts that are going into this Intervention today?”
“Not only are we brightening the Present but are also paving the way for a Future that is more inclusive and representative of the aspirations of our sisters and daughters. A not-so-old study by the International Monetary Fund reveals that a 1 percent increase in violence against can reduce economic activities by up to 8 percent. Yet another study reveals that Global GDP could increase 26 percent by closing the gaps between women and men in the workforce.”
***
Also Read: CSR: Accelerating Mother & Child Health & Nutrition with Millets
Women and Girls therefore cannot be passive witnesses to transformation but have to equally spearhead change right from the driving seat. Our Intervention, ABHAYA- The Fearless is an instrument for creating a fair, just, and equitable society. Look at our touchpoints, right from education, self-defense, to legal awareness, the spirit of entrepreneurship and having an equal say in society all have been strategically designed to bring about meaningful change in the lives of girls and women in the community. This intervention serves as a scalable and replicable model with Rights Based Participatory Approach for Girls and Women at the core.”
In attendance at the event at Soratur on Friday were eminent dignitaries like Sharanu Gogeri, Assistant Director of Youth Empowerment and Sports Department, Gadag,; Parshuram Y Shettappanavar, Deputy Director of Women and Child Development Department, Gadag District, Government of Karnataka, Sarpanch and Vice Sarpanch from both the villages, Media fraternity, and the members from the community.
(Copy Right @ India CSR)
