In India there are many areas where women have to do many unhealthy vocations just get a small amount of money to help them survive. Since the society doesn’t appreciate the involvement of women thus they themselves have to be independent in order to make a small living out of their life. Like this only we can consider the case of Bidi wrapping which is a very popular and ongoing vocation in district known as Amroha. By some research it is has been known that women make bidis at their home only and get paid around Rs 85-100 only for 1000 bidis. This data has been found at a very small scale but if we talk about in terms of nationally, the beedis (tobacco rolling) industry in India employs 5 million workers and an estimated 90% of these are women working for 80 to 100 Rs if they roll 1000 beedis that same day. This work is usually home-based which makes it easier for the women to engage their daughters in the work.
Now considering the extensive female participation in the said sector, absence of adequate social incentives and security schemes make them vulnerable and prone to poverty, health hazard, and even crimes against them. But no such things are taken into consideration and all these women unconsciously take in nicotine vapour inside while making bidis, many suffer from lung problems and pass onto such hereditary medical problems, which makes it more prone for their children and their upcoming future.
It is said that educated mothers create better conditions for children to be educated and healthy than a higher income. A bad cycle is created when females aren’t educated; through the children of uneducated women and the children’s future and ultimately the country’s future. In the light of the same, it can also be said that the education system and the labor force interplay with each other.
Holding the same belief, AMROHASAY, a Not for profit organization, is working to provide a platform for the women to come up and leave such unhealthy vocations and take benefits of the skill educations they possess. Amroha had witnessed the dearth of social incentives and the loopholes in the Beedi Industry long back. To help women and give them a voice, AMROHASAY is working tirelessly as an active forum to provide them the right community. By this, it is making sure that the women can create wealth for themselves and live a dignified life.
-Mehul Kashmiria
