towards the empowerment of women in rural Maharashtra

NINE GUIDING LIGHTS

On Wednesday, UNICEF appreciated the efforts of nine go-getters who, defying the system, have come up with outstanding contributions towards the empowerment of women in rural Maharashtra

GEETA DESAI 

 On Wednesday, in recognition of their efforts to spread awareness about education and health, hygiene and even the importance of small savings amongst women in rural Maharashtra, UNICEF felicitated nine go-getters in Mumbai. The girls – Manjula Madavi, Pragati Walvi, Sunita Pavra, Baby Saroja Mithkari, Swati Kharat, Runda Dhurve, Megha Sharma, Punyarath Aulre and Rasika Hazare – all hail from different parts of rural Maharashtra. But these 'Navjyoti', as aptly named by UNICEF, have a common thread: they have learnt the lessons of women empowerment, not in classrooms, but by virtue of sheer experience. And they braved all odds to not only become self-reliant, but are now helping other women of their hamlets to stand on their own feet. 
    Along the way, they faced stiff opposition, from villagers as well as their households. Only one of them made it to college; the rest couldn't due to money restraints. Besides, their families were against their education, and did not understand the work they wanted to do for other women in the village. 
    But consistent efforts resulted in realisation of their dreams – the dream to work for the betterment of women around them, those who actually believed that it was their fate to be born and die in a world of darkness. 
    Profiled here are five of the remarkable achievers. UNICEF AWARDS FOR 'NAVJYOTIS' 
In acknowledgement of their outstanding contribution towards rural women, UNICEF felicitated all the nine girls on Wednesday. At the function at Doordarshan Centre, Worli, they were presented letters of appreciation, mementoes and cash awards. The other four girls are: 
1 SAROJA MITHKARI, of Kajle Chincholi, Latur, who is studying in Std XI and works for the empowerment of women in her village. 
2 SWATI KHARAT. Forced to give up education after SSC when her father died in an accident, she works as a social worker with an NGO at Kurla, creating awareness among pregnant women about AIDS. 
3 PUNYARATH AULRE of Dighi Village, Nanded, who creates awareness about health, education and livelihood in her village 
4 MEGHA SHARMA. A Std XI student in Mumbai, she works in the city's slums to spread awareness about health and hygiene. 
5 SUNITA PAVRA 
Sunita's stepmother did not want her to study as it would mean a loss of wages and affect housework. "I use to complete my chores and then go to school. But my parents said I would have to earn my fees if I wanted to study. I did that up to Std VIII. Then my brothers had to stop studying as my stepmother would not finance their education. So I left school, worked for two years, paid for their education, and then decided to complete SSC myself. I also won a Rs 1,000 scholarship," said Sunita. 
    "I was associated with an NGO who trained me to educate and motivate others. I also spread awareness among adolescents, educating them about health, and encourage them to save for their future. My father now realises the need for education but doesn't have money for my studies," said Sunita. 6 RUNDA DHURVE 
Hailing from Movada village, Yavatmal, which has a population of 368 tribals, Runda wants every girl in her village to become a graduate. "Our villagers are all field labourers, they walk 2 km for daily-wage jobs. I studied up to Std XII, but want every girl in my community, including me, to get a degree. Till that day arrives, I will strive endlessly," said Runda. 
7 MANJULA MADAVI 
This brave lass who hails from the naxal infested area of Ambezari, Chandrapur, narrated her tale with a smile on her lips but tears in her eyes. She grew up watching villagers join naxals, leaving their families to their own fate. 
    "I wanted to be a prop for my community women and so took an interest in training given by NGOs. I joined school again without my father's knowledge. Once he saw me stepping out of school and thrashed me. Finally, he threw me out, and my uncle sheltered me. But I was determined to study, and my mother paid my fees from her meagre wages," said Manjula, a Std XII student. 
    In 2007, Manjula tried to stop a minor girl getting married. This enraged her community and her father was asked to get her married. But Manjula who worked with an NGO, was aware of her rights and told her father that, she was 18 and he could not raise his hand on her and she would not marry. "I was scared, but confident. I did not relent and finally my father gave in. He does not like what I do, but at least he doesn't bother now," she said. 
8 RASIKA HAZARE 
This 23-year-old feels that women in rural Maharashtra are deprived and abused. Even if education is free, they don't have money to commute to school, buy books, etc. They hardly earn a few tenners a day, and even that is snatched away by male family members for alcohol. 
    Rasika was backed by her mother when villagers objected to her education and working with an NGO. Her brothers got hold of four acres of land which is now their property, but she and her mother fend for themselves. 
    Rasika is a daily wage labourer but does not skip her routine of spreading awareness among pregnant mothers and adolescent girls. "When a girl attains adolescence, she is confused. She doesn't know how to react with men. She needs to be taught how to maintain a distance," she said. 
9 PRAGATI WALVI 
When her father abandoned them, Pragati was just three, and they had to live with her uncle in Badvinevadvi village, Nandurbar. 
    Pragati's mother wanted her to be educated, but villagers were so orthodox that they initially did not allow her to attend school. They tried to stop her by scaring her and even trying to molest her. She was also accused of being an 'outgoing' girl and village boys called her names. This frustrated Pragati and she attempted suicide. But having survived, she decided to fight back and began attending college. 
    A UNICEF worker then helped her, including her in promoting education and awareness. "Now I not only study, but also teach others the importance of education," said Pragati.