In a powerful grassroots initiative, social activist Jabeena Khanum is spearheading a movement to empower women working in Karnataka's unorganised sectors. Her mission is to equip them with the skills and confidence needed to step into leadership roles and claim the rights and benefits they are legally entitled to.
Building Leadership from the Ground Up
The core of Khanum's work focuses on a critical yet often overlooked segment of India's workforce: unorganised women workers. These women, employed in sectors like domestic work, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing, frequently face exploitation, low wages, and a lack of social security. Jabeena Khanum's training modules are specifically designed to address these challenges by fostering a sense of agency and collective strength.
Her programs move beyond basic literacy or skill development. Instead, they delve into leadership training, legal awareness, and knowledge of government schemes. Participants learn about their rights under various labour laws, how to access welfare programs, and the importance of forming collectives for bargaining power. The training empowers them to negotiate better wages, demand safe working conditions, and assert their identity as vital contributors to the economy.
The Ripple Effect of Empowerment
The impact of this initiative extends far beyond individual beneficiaries. By creating a cadre of informed and assertive women leaders within their own communities, the program initiates a sustainable cycle of change. These trained women become catalysts, educating and mobilising others around them. This peer-led model ensures the movement's longevity and deep-rooted impact in the peripheries of Karnataka's socio-economic landscape.
This work highlights a crucial shift in approach to development—from viewing these women as mere beneficiaries of aid to recognising them as potential leaders and change-makers. The initiative, featured under DH Changemakers, underscores the power of investing in human capital at the grassroots level to drive systemic social transformation.
A Blueprint for Social Change
Jabeena Khanum's efforts offer a replicable blueprint for empowering marginalised communities across India. The success of training unorganised workers to understand and claim their rightful dues points towards a more inclusive and equitable path for economic development. It demonstrates that true progress is achieved not just through top-down policies, but by arming the most vulnerable with knowledge, leadership skills, and collective voice.
As these women learn to lead, they are not only securing a better future for themselves and their families but are also redefining their role in society. Their journey from the periphery to the forefront of claiming their rights marks a significant step towards social justice and economic dignity for millions in the unorganised sector.
