Coimbatore: Sanitation workers provide an indispensable public service. Yet they are often exposed to poor sanitation, injuries and most importantly social stigma. The social stigma and problems are even intense for a woman working as a sanitation worker. As gender equality is a crucial component for economy and communities to flourish, women sanitation workers are forced to face psychological and sociological problem in work and public gatherings.
Coimbatore: Sanitation workers provide an indispensable public service. Yet they are often exposed to poor sanitation, injuries and most importantly social stigma. The social stigma and problems are even intense for a woman working as a sanitation worker. As gender equality is a crucial component for economy and communities to flourish, women sanitation workers are forced to face psychological and sociological problem in work and public gatherings.
To bring in dignity and self confidence among women sanitation workers, Hasirudala (A Bangalore based non-profit organisation working for sanitation workers) in hand with Tamil Nadu Urban Sanitation Support programme (TNUSSP) had organised a one-day programme for women sanitation workers of Periyanaickenpalayam Town Panchayat.
The programme scheduled a set of fun activities for the women workers for them to exhibit their talents and enjoy the day. The showcased various talents like- Singing, Dancing, Fashion walk. All the fun activities were organised for the ladies to feel special and as an alternative for their usual worn out working days at work. The fun activities were organised and coordinated by Bakiyarajan, Project Manager, Hasirudala and Kaviya Jegannathan, Comunity Facilitator, Hasirudala.
In addition to fun activities, a special informative session facilitated by Raghavi, District Coordinator and Anupriya Social Welfare Officer - Social welfare department. Follwed by the same, Executive officer, Kathiravamoorthy and Sanitary Inspector, Paramasivan encouraged the women to work with all equalities. Additionally, Kalpana Programme Coordinator, Keystone Foundation, stressed on importance of equality for women in day to day life.
All women were felicitated with a small reward, by the Executive Officer and Sanitary Inspector of the Town Panchayat.
This forum also remained to encourage the work and celebrate the work done by women sanitation workers. Also the event ended on a note that collectively its our responsibility to create a gender equal world.