EKTA has been actively trying to promote a critical dialogue with stakeholders on the "Sumangali scheme" here in Tamil Nadu. As part of these efforts, last week we partnered with the Centre for Social Education and Development and held a two-day consultation to examine this issue with students, NSS volunteers, panchayat raj members, activists, and others.
The sumangali scheme targets young girls predominately from vulnerable or marginalized communities to enter into contractual labour (usually in textile industries) for 3-5 years with the promise of a steady salary, room and board, and, at the end of this period, a lump sum of money to be used as dowry upon marriage. The scheme thus perpetuates dowry culture and all of its harmful consequences, such as domestic violence, daughter aversion/son preference, and the declining child sex ratio. Furthermore, these girls are usually subject to atrocious working conditions -- 12-hour-plus shifts six days a week, little safety awareness, physical/verbal/sexual abuse, to name a few -- and near complete control and isolation. This bonded labour jeopardizes girls' physical and mental health; suicides are not uncommon in these facilities, and neither are crippling injuries that will affect the girls for the rest of their lives.
Although India has child labour (and dowry prevention) laws, sumangali schemes persist. Therefore, EKTA is calling for a further ban on employing children younger than 18 years in industries, as well as free and compulsory education for all children (the girls who take part in the sumangali schemes dropout and do not finish their education). In the day-long consultation at Hotel Supreme and the subsequent workshop at our centre in Kodimangalam, EKTA team members and partners developed action plans to prevent the perpetuation of this scheme and to design rescue, rehabilitation, and redressal efforts for victims.
Below are some pictures of the two-day event. The consultation also received coverage in The Hindu and Indian Express. Here is the link to the Hindu article: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/sumangali-scheme-draws-flak/article4914353.ece
The sumangali scheme targets young girls predominately from vulnerable or marginalized communities to enter into contractual labour (usually in textile industries) for 3-5 years with the promise of a steady salary, room and board, and, at the end of this period, a lump sum of money to be used as dowry upon marriage. The scheme thus perpetuates dowry culture and all of its harmful consequences, such as domestic violence, daughter aversion/son preference, and the declining child sex ratio. Furthermore, these girls are usually subject to atrocious working conditions -- 12-hour-plus shifts six days a week, little safety awareness, physical/verbal/sexual abuse, to name a few -- and near complete control and isolation. This bonded labour jeopardizes girls' physical and mental health; suicides are not uncommon in these facilities, and neither are crippling injuries that will affect the girls for the rest of their lives.
Although India has child labour (and dowry prevention) laws, sumangali schemes persist. Therefore, EKTA is calling for a further ban on employing children younger than 18 years in industries, as well as free and compulsory education for all children (the girls who take part in the sumangali schemes dropout and do not finish their education). In the day-long consultation at Hotel Supreme and the subsequent workshop at our centre in Kodimangalam, EKTA team members and partners developed action plans to prevent the perpetuation of this scheme and to design rescue, rehabilitation, and redressal efforts for victims.
Below are some pictures of the two-day event. The consultation also received coverage in The Hindu and Indian Express. Here is the link to the Hindu article: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/sumangali-scheme-draws-flak/article4914353.ece
