16 August, Dudi Dist – Kupwara
A women development program for border villages of Kupwara district, under the initiative of Indian Army, was launched on the occasion of the 75 years of Independence of India.
Pravartan Foundation, Pune and Vatsalya foundation Vadodara are working with Army for this program.
Vatsalya foundation set up a sanitary napkin manufacturing unit for the women of Dudi village in Kupwara district. These sanitary napkins are 100 percent biodegradable and are made on machines with simple technology which women can learn to operate very quickly.
A comprehensive training was organised for 30 women from the village who were trained in manufacturing napkins as well as maintenance of the machines. Women actively took part in the training and started the production of sanitary napkins successfully. These napkins will be used by the schoolgirls from Government Higher Secondary School, Dudi and Army Goodwill School, Raghavan.
Vatsalya foundation has also installed sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators in these schools.
The women will make livelihood as per the daily production. This project will promote health awareness and hygiene in the region.
Pravartan foundation , Pune donated sewing machines for the women skill development program and has promised to set up a similar unit in border village of RingPayeen. Soon the training of tailoring will be organised for the women. Raw material and requisite distribution of produced goods is also planned till the time, the unit becomes self sustainable.
These programs were received enthusiastically by local women, and have expressed deep gratitude towards Mrs Swati Bedekar of Vatsalya Foundation and Mr Ninad Patwardhan of Pravartan Foundation. Both the programs have a potential of generating livelihood and helping women to become financially independent.
