Dignity Through Opportunity
HOW Aarya Foundation CAME INTO BEING
In the Indian societal structure, it is seen that women are largely dependent on the male members of the family for living support, especially in their initial years of life. The girl is “permitted” to attend school and gets a chance at further education. The young woman can even take up a job, earn and sometimes even take a few decisions here and there too. Such is the expectation of a largely patriarchal influence that it conditions the mental make-up of a large section of the Indian society.
Women are subjugated especially in lower socio-economic classes and are forced to accept living conditions that compromise not just their self-respect but also their safety. The desperation drives such women sometimes to take extreme measures and put their lives and that of their children in jeopardy. Turning the situation around and empowering such disadvantaged women who are facing such deplorable and disgraceful situations, is a cause that Aarya Foundation strives for. Women from all over the country, seeking desperate help to break out of their circle of poverty, helplessness and exploitation come to us in hope. We stand committed to not just building their spirits and will, but also ensure an upgrade of their economic situation in the direction of self-reliance.
To address these gruelling issues, what women need is the means and ability to be self-reliant and financially independent.
Aarya Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, is committed to providing such women the resources to support themselves through trainings in various avenues and up-skilling. We also work to create opportunities to help the partially educated women to start earning in the near future through jobs or self-employment.
OUR APPROACH
In the lower socio-economic classes the situation is even more hard-hitting.The males in the family often themselves lack basic education and awareness, are alcoholic or unable to support their family due to circumstances and limitations. Many a times the unemployed male family member is alcoholic , or does not contribute to household expenses, or has other liaisons, and may just sitat home whiling away time. As a consequence it is not uncommon that the woman is subjected to domestic violence or verbal, physical and financial abuse. Often divorce or separation proceedings are initiated as a result. Then these women start working as household help, take up odd jobs or adopt other nefarious means for their sustenance and to look after their children.
The women bear a heavy burden especially as they are uneducated or have very basic level of education at the most upto 10thor 12thstandards,and hence with little or no prospects or access to gainful, stable employment. These women suffer from a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem and the situation worsens as they have to seek help from family and relatives to support feeding their children and families as well as to address their medical, litigation and other expenses. At such times the woman does not know whom to turn to for help and end up getting exploited.We believe in fuelling the social and economic engines of our local communities, inviting patrons, donors, volunteers to donate and participate in our cause, thus driving our mission and objectives. We firmly believe, when women are secure and succeed, whole societies benefit, grow and prosper. Ours is a small contributory step in this direction.