Swabhiman programme for Women and Girl Child Empowerment launched in Bangalore
Bangalore : Swabhiman, Smile Foundation’s much recognised programme on girl child and women empowerment is introduced in Karnataka for the first time. The Swabhiman project centres begin operations in Hegganahalli and Ramanna Badavane settlements in Bangalore. Shankara Infra is supporting Smile Foundation in implementing the project in Bangalore in association with DANI Development and Social Action.
The project is focusing on Reproductive and Sexual Health of adolescent girls and young women. Covering a population of 10,000, Smile Foundation aims to bring pride and dignity in the lives of these girls and women by enabling them to discover and explore their full potential in every sphere, be it home, work place or community.
The project centre was inaugurated by the chief guest Mr. Sukumar Srinivas, Managing Director, Shankara Infrastructure Materials Limited. He addressed the programme by applauding Smile Foundation and DANI Development & Social Action for taking initiative for empowering the underprivileged women.
Swabhiman is a national level initiative of Smile Foundation. Various studies along with internal research of Smile Foundation have shown us that when women are supported and empowered, the whole society benefits. Swabhiman programme works on the ‘4 S Model’, an acronym for four novel approaches, namely Seeking Healthcare as a Behaviour, Support for Education, Supporters in Men through Male Involvement, and Sustaining the Change in Communities.
Initiated in the year 2005, Swabhiman was by and large conceptualized in accordance with the goals and objectives enshrined in the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, and were overall mandated to create processes and environment for women and adolescent girls at the grassroots to realize their optimum potential in all facets of societal living and situations. The programme is specifically aimed at realization of both individual and collective self-esteem and inner strength for marginalized and socially excluded women and adolescent girls through innovative community practices.
Speaking about the association Smita Kalappa, National Director Child for Child programme, Smile Foundation, said, “Smile Foundation, through Swabhiman programme, identifies adolescent girls and women from the community and develops them into Change Agents, who in turn actively contribute to the community development process. We are happy to open our first Swabhiman centre in Karnataka and hope this project will be a huge success changing lives of many women. Since its inception in the year 2005, the programme has benefitted over 150,000 girls and young women to be suitably prepared and oriented for a dignified and empowered future.”