Tuba Siddiqui completed her graduation from the School of Open Learning but was never allowed to even dream of doing a job.
“My extended family and neighbours didn’t approve of my decision to join the skill development course but my parents were supportive and now I have also discussed my plan of opening a boutique with my father. I am just waiting for confirmation of loan approval from the bank. I am a hijab-wearing Muslim woman, and I will live my dreams. My outfits never stop me from doing a job,” she says with a smile.
“Women in my neighbourhood are self-employed. They sew, embroider, do zari work or roll agarbattis. However, the work is usually sub-contracted and poorly paid. They have skills but do not get fair returns for their efforts because they are not allowed to go out and work. However, the 90 girls enrolled in the training centre here are proof that things are slowly changing,” says Ms. Siddiqui, adding: “Muslim women must educate themselves and their daughters as this is where the community lags behind”.
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The past is behind
Zeshan Ahmed (name changed) came to know about the skill development programme from a policeman after he was caught pickpocketing.
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He agreed to enrol in the programme and is now learning computer hardware networking. In a class of 150, at least 10 others like him have a criminal record.
Realising that bringing up the past can make the students less welcoming, the trainers take extra care to ensure that the details are not revealed.
New ray of hope
Shazia (name changed), 21, is a rape survivor. She got married in 2014 but was allegedly raped by her brother-in-law a year ago. She was deserted by her husband and in-laws after she refused to withdraw the rape case.
She attends every case hearing at the Karkardooma Courts. During a visit to Jama Masjid police station while pursuing the case, a policeman told her about the skill programme.
She signed up for the retail sale management course and now hopes to assist her family financially. “I have been rejected for jobs because I am not a graduate. I am thankful for the initiative by the Delhi Police that helps people like me get training and job assistance,” she says.