Focus on women-centric initiatives

It was a magical yet an introspective day, on March 20 — International Happiness Day, for the 10 Rotaractors of RAC Delhi Midtown Maitreyi, RID 3011, who volunteered to spend the day with the acid attack survivors at the Apna Ghar shelter run by the NGO, Brave Souls Foundation at Janganpura, Bhogal. With this initiative called Project Shakti, the members aimed to celebrate the indomitable spirit of the acid attack survivors. “Although 40 of us volunteered for the project, only 10 were shortlisted to participate due to space constraint at the home,” says club president Teesha Jain.

The Rotaractors dedicated their day to spread joy among the inmates at Apna Ghar. They engaged them in games, songs and heartfelt conversations. Project chair Samridhi Rai notes that the most transformative aspect of the day was listening to their stories of resilience. “It gave us shivers when one of the girls related that she was a victim of the attack when she was just three, and another inmate shared that her jiju (brother-in-law) threw acid on her following a silly argument. But their courage in overcoming such intense adversity left an indelible mark on all our hearts and minds,” she adds. The Rotaractors left the home after giving special gifts to the survivors.

On International Women’s Day (March 8), the club launched Project Pinq which aimed at addressing ‘period poverty’ in Nehru Camp, a community in Bijwasan, “often plagued by resource scarcity,” says the club president. Women here lacked access to sanitary products, forcing them to resort to unhygienic and crude practices that jeopardised their health and wellbeing.

Sanitary napkins sponsored by women’s hygiene brand Pink Polka were distributed among women and adolescent girls. Recognising the deep-rooted stigma surrounding periods, the club embarked on a comprehensive awareness campaign that focused on dispelling myths, sterotypes and misconceptions surrounding menstruation. The women were encouraged to clear their doubts and share their experiences. The Rotaractors facilitated a demonstration of proper pad usage and ensured their good understanding of menstrual hygiene. “We could instil a sense of confidence in them in managing their periods with dignity,” says Teesha.

Fuelled by this newfound zeal, the club is determined to take its initiatives further, advocating for women’s rights and well-being on a grander scale.

Earlier the Rotarctors, through their Project Seeds of Change, planted saplings in various places across Delhi collaborating with local partners.