WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
CARE India, a prominent NGO for women and a respected women’s organisation in India, has been at the forefront of empowering women and improving their health and well-being. Through their various initiatives, they have been able to make a significant impact on the lives of many women across the country. In this blog, we will share some of the success stories from their initiatives.
Rekha Devi’s Journey to Improved Health and Environment
Rekha Devi, a housewife from Bhogpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, was introduced to Improved Cook Stoves (ICS) through CARE India’s initiative. Before this, she was using traditional cookstoves, which led to health issues such as coughing and breathing problems. The traditional stoves also required more fuel and time, making cooking a laborious task for Rekha.
After learning about the benefits of ICS, she purchased a Vikram Stove at a subsidised rate. The benefits of using ICS, such as less smoke, low requirement of fuel, and reduced cooking time, have made a significant difference in her life. She is now able to save time and money, and her health has improved significantly. Rekha Devi is now a contributor to saving the environment, time, and fuel, and she is also earning money from selling spare cow dung cakes.
Rajveeri’s Path to Financial Savings and Sustainable Practices
Rajveeri, another housewife from Sainthali, Gautam Buddha Nagar, was also introduced to ICS through CARE India’s initiative. Like Rekha, she was using traditional cookstoves and facing similar health issues. After attending a session at SHE School, she learned about clean cooking practices and the benefits of using ICS.
Motivated by the newfound understanding, she decided to purchase a subsidised Vikram Stove. The use of ICS has not only improved her health, but also led to financial savings and opportunities for additional income generation, such as selling surplus cow dung cakes.
Mamta Sharma’s Transition to Efficient Time Management and Reduced Dependence on Fuel
Mamta Sharma, a housewife from Bhogpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, was introduced to the concept of ICS through a Community Resource Person (CRP) from CARE India. She had been relying on a traditional cookstove, which proved to be inefficient in terms of fuel consumption and time management.
After being educated about the environmental and health disadvantages associated with traditional stoves, she purchased a subsidised Vikram Stove. The use of ICS has led to environmental preservation, efficient time management, and reduced dependence on fuel sources. The time she saves from cooking is now utilised in assisting her children with their school work and engaging in conversations with relatives.
About the Programme
The Bachat – Improved Cook Stoves programme by CARE India is an initiative aimed at transitioning households from traditional cooking stoves to cleaner alternatives. The project promotes the use of Improved Cook Stoves (ICS) which emit less smoke, use less firewood, and are more environmentally friendly. This transition aims to reduce CO2 emissions and improve health outcomes. The Sustainable Household Energy (SHE) Schools, part of the programme, empower communities to make informed decisions about clean energy transitions. The project has reached over 1,75,000 people in four states (Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka). If you wish to support such initiatives, consider donating to CARE India, a leading women’s organisation in India.
