It’s a show of confidence, grit and enthusiasm of 30 young women of Kawari, Kupwara

@JournalistAadil

Srinagar: The day was marked by the poise and self-confidence of 30 young women of Kawari who completed their 35-day Retail Associate Training. The event was anchored by the girls themselves who volunteered to manage the entire show.

Pride, immense possibilities, financial independence, what’s not to love about a career in retail? REACHA in association with the Indian Army and in partnership with TRRAIN (Trust for Retailers & Retail Associates of India), aims to create sustainable livelihood for women in retail, provide them employment opportunities in the retail industry and make the young women financially independent.

The day marked the Certification ceremony for these passionate young women who are looking forward to getting employed in the very near future. Importance of any training is rigor, discipline, courage and consistency for the trainees. In this one month, they have shown positive changes in their attitude, confidence levels and willingness to take up jobs.

These young women were asked to speak their heart about the impact this program has created in their lives. Four of them volunteered to talk about their learning. One talked about how she was going to be assertive and self-assured in her own life which she would apply in her workplace.

Another girl spoke about how she would not take on any form of violence passively, if afflicted on her. She encouraged her fellow students to also follow the same. Another girl spoke about the mindset change in the retail industry to hire talented young women in the sector. She emphasized the fact that getting retail jobs for girls is next to impossible in Kashmir. She requested that the retailers provide them with an opportunity to prove themselves that they too can efficiently work in the sector.

District Collector Imam Din was present and highlighted the same to the retailers. He also spoke about NITI Aayog and the funds available for the young women to utilize to establish their own retail units!

Placements is the key for any skilling centre. REACHA has taken small steps towards this and has agreed to take on board two of these young women immediately. REACHA’s other partners in development have shown keen interest in employing one or two other girls. REACHA will handhold and provide counselling and guidance to each girl in obtaining jobs.

This pilot project has shown that there is genuine interest among the girls to learn employable skills, girls are keen to break barriers and forge ahead to make independent lives for themselves, thereby supporting their families financially. Before the closure of the pilot program, 30 new girls have already enrolled for the next program.