Every year on march 8th International Women’s Day is celebrated throughout the world. In Varanasi this is an opportunity both to promote the contributions made by women, and to work towards greater education and empowerment of the many women who still live with inequality. In this spirit Sai Maa Vishnu Shakti Trust together with ASMITA and ChildLine, 2 organisations working in the slum areas of Varanasi, offered special programs during the month of March in 5 slum areas across the city of Varanasi.
Each program reflected the unique interests, skills and culture of that community. However they all offered education on the role of women in society, and the opportunity for that community to express themselves.
Each program reflected the unique interests, skills and culture of that community. However they all offered education on the role of women in society, and the opportunity for that community to express themselves.
The programs presented by the women included Lokgeet, which is a local style of singing, street plays and traditional style dancing. The five areas where the programs were designed and created by the local women with the assistance of ASMITA and ChildLine staff are listed below along with the dates and number of attendees.
Date Location # Attendees
9 Mar Paramanandpur in the Shivpur area 250
10 Mar Anand park near Durgakund 90
11 Mar Sigra 230
12 Mar Nathopur in the DLW area 75
17 Mar Chotti Maldaya in the Teliyabagh area 63
The programs also provided an opportunity for the women to demonstrate and grow their organisational skills. The communities were informed prior to March that there would be a competition to determine the community with the ‘best’ program based on a number of factors including the number of attendees, program content and care of attendees.This format offered not only the opportunity for the women to show their talents, but also increased attendances meaning more women were able to benefit from the experience.
Date Location # Attendees
9 Mar Paramanandpur in the Shivpur area 250
10 Mar Anand park near Durgakund 90
11 Mar Sigra 230
12 Mar Nathopur in the DLW area 75
17 Mar Chotti Maldaya in the Teliyabagh area 63
The programs also provided an opportunity for the women to demonstrate and grow their organisational skills. The communities were informed prior to March that there would be a competition to determine the community with the ‘best’ program based on a number of factors including the number of attendees, program content and care of attendees.This format offered not only the opportunity for the women to show their talents, but also increased attendances meaning more women were able to benefit from the experience.
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