The original proverb goes – Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
I have a spin-off for this proverb – If you give a woman a fish, you feed her for a day. If you teach a woman to fish, you feed her, and her family, and her community – for a lifetime.
Did you know that economically empowered women reinvest 90% of their income into their families, compared to men who spend only 30-40%. This UN stat proves that focusing on women empowerment could lead to healthier and better-educated children, ultimately benefiting entire communities and driving overall development in the country – apart from the women themselves getting benefitted.
For me, personally, volunteering for women’s empowerment initiatives holds immense significance and thanks to organizations like Srujna, I have witnessed firsthand how transformative impact programs like Project Laxmi that works towards empowering women through education and skill development can have on the lives of underprivileged women in India.
Srujna, through its programs works towards bridging the gender gap in jobs and skills by providing women with equal opportunities for knowledge and skill development. The right training empowers women to access better employment opportunities, actively pursue their goals, and achieve financial independence. When women are empowered, they can make decisions about their bodies, education, and future prospects, breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and promoting gender equality. As a volunteer, one gets involved in all these impacts.
I have had various opportunities to volunteer with Srujna to support women’s empowerment efforts. One such opportunity is teaching English and vocational skills to underprivileged women and girls, enabling them to become financially independent. I could learn the fact that when you teach something to someone, you yourself learn more than what you already knew. The hours that I had to put in while preparing for these sessions surely enhanced my English language skills. This was over and above the immense feeling of satisfaction that I could contribute to their education and skill development, ultimately empowering them to break free from oppressive situations. The engagements with Srujna enriched my life by broadening my perspectives, enhancing my problem-solving abilities, and instilling a sense of fulfilment. It has provided me with valuable skills in project management, cross-cultural communication, and community engagement, which are invaluable assets in any field.
Another opportunity was to contribute financially towards Srujna kitty for women empowerment projects. Every year in January (apart from the two years when everything was close under Covid-19 pandemic lockdown), the Mumbai Marathon provides this fruitful collaboration between running for fitness and contributing towards the betterment of the community. NGOs like Srujna get running bibs allocated which they can assign to runners who in-turn collect funds for the NGOs via campaigns on United Way. This, for me, was the best partnership – being a running enthusiast, I could participate in the most coveted running in India, while also aiding a noble cause.
So, if you are wondering how, you too can contribute through your skills and expertise to meaningful projects, reach out to Srujna today at contact@srujna.org or share this blog with someone who might be interested! Together, let’s make an impact and create a more equitable society where every woman can realize her full potential.
English