Empowering women- the RSP way

Rourkela, Mar 8: A financially, psychologically and emotionally empowered woman is not only an asset for the family but also for the entire society. This has been a guiding philosophy for Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) in each of its endeavour. The Steel maker has made it a mission to infuse a little bit of steely strength in every woman through education, skill developments, guidance and all out support.

Keeping holistic development as its central approach Women’s Empowerment has been made an integral component of RSP’s various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions which cut across the areas of health, education and quality of life, etc.

Let’s meet Binita Tirkey, a young girl from Jabaghat village. She and 10 of her associates had never thought that one day their Self Help Group (SHG) will not only be flourishing but will also be winning awards. Under the patronage of RSP, their Sri SAI SHG is today grown into a number of enterprising ventures. The SHG was awarded the first prize in the Shree Shakti award scheme launched by RSP, beating 50 other women SHGs in the vicinity.

The initiative which brought a tremendous transformation in the lives of thousands of women like Binita is ‘Project Kishori’. Under this project, RSP has established 50 Women Resource Centres (WRC). Masters trainers are being developed in different modules through training at RSP’s Institute for Peripheral Development (IPD). These women in turn train the village women, thereby spreading the knowledge and skill to hundreds of families.

Another project of RSP that has made a meaningful difference in the lives of many rural women is the Deepika Hast Kargha. Efficiently managed by Deepika Mahila Sanghati, a leading philanthropic organisation of the Steel City, the Deepika Hast Kargha is a handloom weaving unit located at the Deepika Mahila Jagriti Sansthan.

In order to promote cleanliness and hygiene as a part of the ‘Swachh SAIL, Sundar SAIL’ campaign as also the ‘Swachhata Abhiyan’ initiated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSP has taken up many a step especially keeping girls and women in mind.

RSP has set up Jagriti Sanitary Napkin production centre with the support of Deepika Mahila Sanghati. This Low-cost Sanitary Napkin Production Unit aims at making the women belonging to the lower strata of the society aware about menstrual practices that are healthy, dignified, affordable and eco-positive. The Phenyl making unit set up in the same premises too is working relentlessly towards health and hygiene of women.

In line with the Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan, RSP is constructing 100s of toilets in the schools in Rourkela as well as its vicinity. In each school separate toilets are being constructed for the girls, thereby creating a harmonious environment for the education of girl child.

Besides, in every scholarship scheme of RSP- professional scholarship or the Merit Scholarship for High School and ME School students, half the number of scholarships has been reserved for girls.

In every health care initiative of RSP, women are being given special attention. Besides launching a special project ‘Surabhi’ for addressing the gynecological disorders in poor women for free, every other CSR health care project focuses on extending free intervention to women and their family members.

Around 200 women are trained to create awareness and take care specially of Adolescent and women health along with General Health and Hygiene in 50 villages.

Binita and many such women- different identities and diverse backgrounds- are connected to a single chord- Rourkela Steel Plant. The Steel Plant that has touched their lives in more than one way- has added joy and comfort and self-esteem to their lives and above all empowered to lead an existence with dignity and grace.