Women with their sewing machines
Indore diocese in central India has distributed sewing machines to women in slums as part of its celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8). “This is a Women’s Day gift from the Church and we hope it will help support and sustain your family,” Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal of Indore told some 4,000 women from 30 slums who attended the March 6 program. The Indore Diocese social service society, which organized the program, distributed 25 sewing machines to slum women, mostly unmarried girls, who completed a one-year diploma course in tailoring. The sewing machines “will not only provide a steady income, but also give a profession status to them,” said Father Simon Raj, who directs the society. He said the Church’s aim to help these women “elevate them from their wretched conditions.” Sister Arokya Mary, who works among slum women, said oppression and atrocities on women in Indian society will end only when they start earning equal to men. “When women move forward the world moves with them,” she added. Puja Makwana, a slum woman, said the Church’s gesture has revived her desire to continue her studies. The Hindu girl said she had discontinued studies after the twelfth grade as her parents could not support her. Seema Bhurasia, who expects to earn some 150 rupees (US$3.30) daily from tailoring, said society would now recognize and respect her. IC13548.1644