Activist Sara Pilot is hosting a two-day carnival at the India Islamic Culture Centre in Delhi beginning October 26 to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalised women of Jamia Nagar.
Through the third edition of the “Jamia Bazaar”, Ms. Pilot hopes to help the participants to stand on their feet and possibly become entrepreneurs. Over the past four years, these women have been methodically trained in creating household items by the Centre for Equity and Inclusion, being run by Ms. Pilot.
Apart from various artworks, perfumes and mouth-watering cuisine, all the essentials of an everyday marketplace will be up for grabs.
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“Our organisation seeks to make women, whose financial condition is precarious, economically self-resilient. Women who live in slums do not come to the market place. So we provide them the space to showcase their products, which will bring them stability and boost their confidence.”
Noting that these women have been leading secluded lives, she said they live in an area which is unlike the vibrant Walled City area. “In Purani Dilli you see residents moving around in labyrinthine lanes, which have forts, street food and shops selling unique items. But that culture does not exist in Jamia Nagar.”
On the reason for helping only the women of Jamia Nagar, she said the Gender Resource Centre office was based there.
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“Since ours is a non-profit organisation, all proceeds from the sale will of products would go to these women.”
With safety of women being of paramount concern across the city, she said 70 self-help groups work in the field. “We want the whole society to change. There is a need to sensitise men and boys. They need to take pride in their cities.”