Our Guest Speaker November 24
Our guest speaker on November 24 was Jyoti Mhapsekar.
In 1975, Jyoti and six of her friends created a group called Stree Mukti Sangathana (SMS) to improve the lives of disadvantaged women in India. Their initiative has since grown into a global apolitical, autonomous, voluntary organization.
Jyoti and her group began by helping the most disadvantaged group of women in India, known as “ragpickers”. These women sort garbage. Jyoti and her group set about improving their lives by providing training, education, and organizing them into cooperatives. As a result, they have increased their bargaining power and have developed leadership skills. As the women become more informed of their rights as citizens, they gain confidence in dealing with middlemen in the garbage management system. The women have banded together to train others resulting in a self-creating movement of progress.
The initiative has become global, and Jyoti is recognized as a leader in the women's movement, as well as being an accomplished playwright and songwriter.The global movement is creating social awareness about women’s issues related to equality, peace and development. It directs its efforts toward women’s rights irrespective of class, creed, religion, language or nationality.
The movement achieves its goals using a large volunteer network of speakers, hosting conferences, campaigns and workshops, publications, counseling centres and through the performing arts.
In 1999, the organization received Special Consultative Status from the United Nations.