THIS Women's Day we want to recognise an initiative that is changing the lives of hundreds of women across India.
Habitat for Humanity India, a world renowned non-profit organisation has started a program called Women IndiaBUILDS to create affordable housing for women in marginalised communities. We spoke to Chairman of the project, Sheila Kripalani to get the skinny on it.
My father was in the services, so as a child, I had moved around in the rural areas. The people there didn't even have a decent roof over their heads. Habitat for Humanity gave me the opportunity to do something for them. That's why I took up the Women IndiaBUILDS project.
The female factor
Habitat for Humanity is a great concept but Women IndiaBUILDS is even better because it works towards the upliftment of women, which is so important. Women are exploited pretty much from the time they are born.
SHOCKING FACTS
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Giving a woman a home gives her a place to belong. It gives her dignity because she has something to call her own. It makes her feel like she has someone who cares about her and her children.
Being homeless affects women the most. Even a simple daily activity like using the toilet becomes so difficult. They go into the fields once at dawn and cannot go in again till dusk because of the shame factor.
Photographs courtesy Habitat for Humanity
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