'Maru Udaan' Program In Barmer Empowers Women With Health, Education, And Vocational Training
The 'Maru Udaan' program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering women. The program includes sessions on health, self-employment, and confidence, with the goal of creating a chain system for women's empowerment.
The 'Maru Udaan' program, launched by District Collector Tina Dabi under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative, has become a powerful platform for women's empowerment in Rajasthan's Barmer. The program, which began on 12 November, included 12 block-level and one district-level dialogue sessions across all Panchayat Headquarters in the district, attracting over 3,000 women. A total of 1,538 women underwent 5,000 health checkups during the program, which concluded on 29 November at Barmer's Town Hall.
The initiative aimed to promote women's health, education, self-employment, self-defense, and confidence. The program's block-level sessions were designed to maximise female participation, focusing on fostering empowerment among women.
'Maru Udaan': Four Key Sessions In 50 Sessions
A total of 50 sessions were conducted, with four key sessions in each program. Experts addressed women on topics including mental and physical health, financial management, skill and vocational training, government schemes, and career counselling. Experts included Dr. O.P. Dudi and Advocate Indu Tomar on mental health, Dr. Kavita and Dr. Anita on physical health, Indian Postal Service representatives on financial management, Dinesh Sain and Geeta Dashana of Rajeevika on skill development, and Laxmi and Sarita on government schemes.
Tina Dabi highlighted the long-term goal of the program, which is to create a "chain system" for women’s empowerment. Women who participated in the sessions are expected to become "brand ambassadors" of the initiative, educating others on health, financial management, and skill development.
To ensure consistency and quality across all sessions, district-level teams were formed and trained by experts. These teams oversaw the block-level sessions, maintaining the quality of the program while avoiding the need for additional experts at the local level.
The sessions were held in small groups of 55-60 women, enabling more open and candid discussions. This approach allowed participants to voice their concerns, which were addressed by the experts.
In addition to health and financial topics, career counselling and vocational training were key components of the program. Many schoolgirls attended and inquired about further education and career options. Experts encouraged the participants to attend district-level career counselling programs in the future.
The health checkups revealed common deficiencies in hemoglobin, iron, and calcium among the women. Medical teams recommended regular health checkups, a nutritious diet, and physical activity to address these issues.
The mental health sessions, led by Dr. O.P. Dudi, revealed that many women were experiencing depression due to domestic issues, while young girls struggled with exam-related stress. Experts provided strategies for overcoming depression and stress, encouraging participants to stay mentally strong and positive.
Tina Dabi personally attended several block-level sessions, including in Shiv, Gadra Road, Dhorimanna, and Ramsar, to interact with women. As an expert, she provided counselling, encouraging participants to open up about their issues. Women expressed their gratitude and empowerment after speaking with her.
'Maru Udaan': Financial Empowerment and Investment Awareness
Many women shared that they kept their savings at home and lacked knowledge about investment options. Experts introduced them to various investment schemes offered by the Indian Postal Service and other avenues, emphasising the importance of investing savings for future financial security.
The 'Maru Udaan' program was supported by multiple organisations, including Cairn Vedanta, JSW, SWML, Roomadevi Foundation, Jijabai Foundation, Shyor Institute, and Action Aid. It was coordinated by Nodal Officer Savita Dahiya, Deputy Forest Conservator, and Co-Nodal Officer Prahlad Singh Rajpurohit, Deputy Director of the Department of Women and Child Development.
'Maru Udaan': Women Praise Program As 'Unique And Historic'
Many women described the 'Maru Udaan' initiative as a "unique and historic" programme, stating that it was the first time since independence that their issues had been heard in such a manner. They thanked District Collector Tina Dabi for focusing not only on their health and well-being but also on enhancing their income through skill and vocational training.
Mahendra Soni, Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development, commended 'Maru Udaan' as an innovative and exemplary initiative. He stated that the success of the program would lead to its implementation across Rajasthan. "If this initiative can prevent even one woman from suicide or help one woman receive training, it will be a significant achievement," he said.
The district-level event, held on 29 November, saw the participation of more than 600 women. Experts shared their experiences and findings, particularly regarding health issues such as iron, calcium, and hemoglobin deficiencies. Rural women, often unable to focus on their health, were encouraged to adopt nutritious diets and undergo regular health checkups. The event also featured an exhibition with stalls by UNESCO artisans, and attendees registered for future focused events, including mega health camps, career development programmes, and skill-building workshops to be held next month.
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