Women achievers from villages in Gujarat and Odisha, were felicitated for their contribution to their community, while fun activities, edutainment programmes and cultural performances marked Essar’s celebrations of International Women’s Day in other communities
Hazira, Gujarat
Essar celebrated Women’s Day by inviting women from eight villages to an award function, which was organised to felicitate women achievers in the community. The women hailed from the villages of Hazira, Junagam, Suvali, Rajgari, Mora, Bhatlai, Damka and Vanswa. Over 500 women participated.
At the function, women who have made a remarkable contribution to their community were identified and awarded. The objective of this initiative was to put these women in the limelight and recognise them as ‘Changemakers’.
Awards were given in five categories:
- Commitment and dedication to community health
- Contribution as an elected Panchayat member
- Successful case of self-employment
- Entrepreneurship
- Individual achievements that became an inspiration to other community members
Each village also presented to the audience a song, act or traditional dance of their community. Members of the Essar Hazira Ladies Club, felicitated the Changemakers for their achievements.
Paradip, Odisha
Essar Foundation organised International Women’s Day celebrations at Paradipgarh, Bhutamundi and Nuagarh, which are all locations close to the Essar Steel facility in Paradip.
More than 1,000 women and young girls celebrated the day by organising an event in their respective Panchayats. They spread the word of the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” with the message “Swachh Ghar, Swachh Gram”. About 250 women participated in the march from Paradipgarh village to Block gate. The streets of the village were swept clean by the participants as the march progressed to its destination.
This is the first time that International Women’s Day is being celebrated in all three panchayats. A series of fun contests were also organised for the members of the SHGs (Self Help Groups) and the girls of the Teen Circle. The SHG members were also felicitated for their contribution to the community and society. The women and the girls later performed a short cultural programme at the event.
Lonavala, Maharashtra
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Essar Foundation organized a programme for women parents of students of the Essar supported Shri. N.K. Ruia Secondary School at Tung, in Lonavala on 8th March, 2016. Games and recreational activities were organized for the women, on the occasion. During the programme, interactions were held with women that saw them sharing their concerns on issues that impact them as women, and how to deal with them. A resource person also guided them on issues affecting their adolescent girl children and how to address them.
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