Kovai NGO salutes differently abled rural women breadwinners

A Coimbatore-city based NGO wanted to deviate from this routine and have recognised and empowered differently-abled women breadwinners living in rural Coimbatore. Sarojini (35) of Chennanur was given a petty shop to support her family.  

On Sunday evening, Eera Nenjam NGO gave away supportive equipment’s and benefits that will help five such women to improve their standard of living and support their families better. 

“It is tough for women to work and run the family and tougher for women breadwinners. Differently-abled women breadwinners deserve recognition,” managing trustee of the NGO P Mahendiran told DTNext. 

The process of identifying these ‘wonder women’ began a month ago. “The women we identified are polio affected. They are taking care of their families as they have either been abandoned by their husband or are spinsters. But they have the confidence to improve their standard of living with a little help,” he said. Impressed by their confidence, Eera Nenjam assured extend support to them by giving them what they wanted. 

“Sarojini (35) of Chennanur is affected by polio. A class 10 pass, the 35-year-old woman sells petty items on the floor in front of her house. She lost her parents a few years ago and takes care of her aged elder sister. She also makes some money by filling application forms for the residents of her village. We helped her in setting up a petty shop. Mala (33) of Chettipalayam cannot walk but makes pappad and got a grinder for mixing flour to support her business.” 

“Saraswathi (30) of Alandurai cannot stand straight and walks with the support of her upper limbs. Saraswathi, a spinster, works as a daily wager to take care of her aged parents. Due to disability, she manages to early only a maximum wage of Rs 100 and some days she may not get work. On many occasions, she and her parents have had only one meal a day or have even gone without food. Now, she has a pair of goats to establish a new business.”

Latha (40) a spinster of Uliyampalayamm, works in a tailoring unit and takes care of her mother. On her request, the NGO got her a sewing machine with motor so that she can work from home, save time going to her place of work and earn more. 

Usha (42), a destitute from Chettipalayam, a daily wage labourer, who supports her son and aged father, has also got a sewing machine. Struggles faced by these women motivated the girls and other students of a dance school and a private school who had come to entertain them at the event held at the corporation night shelter at R S Puram in Coimbatore on Sunday evening.