Empowering Women in Pune Slums

In a significant effort to connect the administration with grassroots women's groups, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has introduced the "Coffee with Commissioner" initiative. This program is part of the larger "Navi Disha" initiative aimed at empowering women living in slums by involving them in the management of community toilets. The inaugural session took place on August 21 at the Autocluster office, allowing women from various Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to engage directly with Commissioner Shekhar Singh. During the event, participants shared their challenges and provided feedback on the community toilet operations. Commissioner Singh emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Through 'Coffee with Commissioner,' we aim to ensure that these women have a direct channel to voice their concerns and contribute to the community's well-being." He also announced plans for an annual "Navi Disha evaluation series," where health department officials will assess and upgrade the conditions of community toilets based on standardized criteria. Participants expressed their appreciation for the initiative, with Lata Rokade from the 'Bharari Mahila Bachat Gat' highlighting the newfound voice it has given them. Rajashri Vetale echoed this sentiment, noting the significance of the Commissioner's support. The "Coffee with Commissioner" sessions are set to occur bi-monthly, providing women from different zones the opportunity to interact with the Commissioner. As the program evolves, it aims to tackle immediate challenges faced by these women while fostering socio-economic upliftment through skill development and income-generating opportunities.