A particularly deprived group of people are the rag-picking community in Bhuapur, Ghaziabad. A community of migrants from very poor areas of India, they live in a garbage dump, without water, sanitation, shelter, and health or education services. Life for children and women is appalling there.
Phia Foundation through its Jugnu education project in Bhuapur provides children with the opportunity of education through ‘Bridge school’ and works with women’s and others to ensure they are supported in receiving education.
The condition of the women of the rag-picking community very difficult. They are involved in sorting the garbage but financially nothing comes to them. The men hold power when taking decisions on spending money. The importance of women’s roles have been marginalized in the society.
Phia Foundation celebrated International Women’s day with the women of these rag pickers community. A speech competition was organized to celebrate women’s day. The mothers of children who are part of the Jugnu education project participated in the competition. The health of women is totally ignored in the community. The topic selected for this competition was the importance of women’s health.
Most of the speech given revolved around family’s health rather their own health. Ms. Neelam Devi, one of the contenders spoke about the real situation of the women in the community. She talked about the behaviors of the men, how they spend money on alcohol consumption. Thus, taking care of their children is their prime concern rather than looking after their own health. Another contender, Ms. Rita Devi shared the dilemma they face even for going to loo due to non-availability of public toilets in the slum areas. They have to wait till it gets dark which is not good for health. The competition gave an opportunity to think about themselves and their health along with their family.
Three women won prizes who spoke. Each prize packet included sanitary napkins, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush.
