Ganesh mandals to help drought-hit women find jobs

Vidhayak Pune, a group of 25 Ganesh mandals of the city, will be providing jobs to drought-hit women, in order to save them from prostitution. They will be taking the help of commercial sex workers (CSW) for the initiative.

The representatives of the Ganesh mandals held a meeting on Wednesday with activists working for CSWs in this regard.

When group members Anand Saraf, Shirish Mohite and Parag Thakur came to know about the plight of the drought-affected women, they decided to take the initiative.

Raju Kalimani and Ravi Kamble, activists working for the welfare of the CSWs, said that they, along with the CSWs will be going door to door in search of such victims and then make arrangements to send them back to their homes.

Hema Sonawane, a CSW, said, “Twenty years ago, I had migrated to the city due to the then drought situation in my village. It is painful to see women migrate to the city owing to drought. We will be collecting money and distributing it to such women, so that they can go back to their home instead of entering prostitution.

Mohite, who represents Seva Mitra Mandal, said that Lijjat Papad and Lokseva Pratisthan has assured Vidhayak Pune that such victims will be provided with employment.

According to Thakur, the organisation has discussed the issue with few entrepreneurs. Work of stitching seat covers for two-wheelers is being contemplated for these women.
Meenakshi Navale and Mina Kurlekar working for CSWs through the NGO Vanchit Vikas said that the CSWs have determined that they would collect food grains and money to prevent any woman joining their profession due to drought.

The Vidhayak Pune has started various initiatives by bringing together various Ganesh mandals of the city. Most of these mandals are from Tulshibaug, Narayan Peth, Shaniwar Peth, Sadashiv Peth, Guruwar Peth, Shukrawar Peth and adjoining areas.