Ms Amruta of third batch, she have done her capstone project titled – Anokha, which aimed empowering women working in Safe Hands, a security and housekeeping firm.

Anokha – the project – was framed with a specific objective of empowering working women of lower strata with the following –
a) Basic personal hygiene
b) Effective communication with people
c) Boost their self-esteem about the profession they have chosen.

15 ladies from Safe-Hands, a firm nurtured by Deshpande foundation were hand-picked. These women work as security personnel in different parts of the twin cities and work round the clock. The project was executed by myself with support of Mrs. Prabha Dodwadmath, a noted social activist in Hubli.

The first part of this project was to discuss with the ladies topics of personal hygiene. An hour long session was kept for the same. Hygiene kits containing toothpaste, brush, body soaps and detergents, sanitary napkins etc. were distributed and the importance of all these was also explained.

The second session was to boost self esteem of these ladies since the jobs they do are otherwise considered a man’s domain. Both Mrs Dodwadmath congratulated the ladies and gave them some suggestions of dealing with some awkward situations too. Being trained in a security firm, they are well equipped with physical defense measures. But we tried to explain to them ways of politely handling situations of mental harassment also.

Finally, some inputs were given to them regarding communication with outsiders when on their job. Basic greeting and importance of body language was stressed upon.