NGOs toast work of women’s & kids’ self-help groups

Kolkata: This Human Rights Day, it was time to toast the victims of trafficking who have joined self help groups (SHGs), becoming earning members of their families.

NGOs from South 24 Parganas — Mukti and Goranbose Gramin Bikas Kendra (GGBK) — lauded a few such women from SHGs who have taken out loans to open various small businesses at home. An official from Mukti said the network of women, which had around 5,000 members before the pandemic, has now reached out to over 20,000 people. Pampa Ghosh from GGBK said, “These women are taking independent decisions and making a living after the main earning members of their families lost their jobs.”

Even children who had been victims of rights violation have been doing their bit. International Justice Mission (IJM), Kolkata, with the support of Jibontala Block Development Office and Canning Women Police Station presented awards to some Adolescent Group members and child marriage survivors on Wednesday.

“From being a victim of child marriage to becoming a member of a group that reports against such activities is a big transformation. We salute these children for their support,” said Saji Philip, director of operations, IJM, Kolkata.