Pune: Voter Awareness Rally Empowers Women in Red Light Area of Budhwar Peth
Tikam Shekhawat
Pune, 30th March 2024: In a collaborative effort between the Manthan Foundation and the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, a voter awareness rally was successfully concluded in Budhwar Peth, Pune, on 28th March, Thursday.
Led by Asha Bhatt Welankar, president of the Manthan Foundation, the initiative aimed to empower underprivileged women by raising awareness about their voting rights and facilitating access to essential government services.
The Manthan Foundation, known for its commendable initiatives benefiting marginalized communities, particularly women in the prostitution trade, is dedicated to promoting health awareness, care, and access to government welfare schemes. Among the services provided are assistance with obtaining Aadhaar cards, opening savings accounts, securing ration cards, and acquiring voter identification cards.
The voter awareness rally, held in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha General Election 2024, commenced with the resounding slogan “Utsav Election: Pride of the Nation.” The program took place in the Budhwar Peth area from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, spanning key landmarks including the CT Post, Mogal Market Building, Shukrwar Police Chowki, Tabla Galli, Dutt Mandir, Kranti Chowk, and back to City Post.
The rally garnered enthusiastic participation from Women and Child Development officers, Anganwadi Chief Workers, Helpers, women engaged in prostitution, as well as Manthan Foundation Project Manager Kavita Suravse and team members Shrutika Yadav, Babu Shinde, Suvarna Pawar, and Peer Educators. Their active involvement underscored a shared commitment to empowering women and fostering civic engagement within the community.
Through such initiatives, the collaborative efforts of organizations like the Manthan Foundation and government departments aim to uplift marginalized communities, promote social inclusion, and ensure that every citizen can exercise their fundamental right to vote.
