Unskilled women labourers will now work as mason

Pune, July 4, 2018: “The bricklaying, plaster and tiling work have always been done by men. While we women have always been doing physical labour work at construction site as we did not have any know how for the same. Now, that we have gained skill training there is boost in self-confidence and we want to do something for family, children and the village. We can now build our own home too,” confidently expressed Renuka and Sheetal at the felicitation ceremony held for first all- women mason skill training batch in the city.

In an innovative initiative to promote gender equality in the construction sector, the Confederation of Real Estate Developer’s Associations of India (CREDAI), the apex body for private real estate developers in the county, has initiated its first-of-its-kind skill training program for women masons. The program aims at boosting gender equality by transforming the livelihood of women construction workers, by empowering them with the necessary skills.

Women’s Wing of CREDAI Pune Metro have initiated first such all women mason skill training program under CREDAI Kushal at the construction site of Windsor Shelters in Ambegaon. The first batch of around 25 women underwent Level 2 skill training in construction which was successfully completed in a month. All of them are now eligible to work as skilled mason and also will get rise in their wages. Anu Aga, businesswoman felicitated all the 25 women and handed over the certificates during the ceremony.

Shrikant Paranjape, President, CREDAI Pune Metro, Darshana Parmar Jain, Chairman CREDAI National Women’s Wing, J. P Shroff, Chairman, CREDAI Kushal, Kumar Gera, founder member of CREDAI National, Archana Badera, co-convener of CREDAI Pune Metro Women’s wing, both Mahesh Rathi and Sapna Rathi Directors, Windsor Shelters and other fellow CREDAI members were present on the occasion.

Anu Aga stated, “In my childhood, my performance was much better in studies than my brothers. But the parents often said that is alright as you have to get married later and want to be a mother. Men must help women in cooking, looking after kids and household chores and this message should be given to children from their childhood. With the changing mindset of the society to encourage empowerment of women, we can now progress rapidly in these areas through such initiatives.”

While speaking on the occasion, Shrikant Paranjape said, “It is overwhelming to see them speak here with such tremendous confidence. This is the result of training they have underwent. Skill training will surely open up many opportunities for progress and growth.”

“This effort by CREDAI is to change the current status quo, where very few women are employed in this profession. This training has not only boosted their self-confidence but also increase their employability chances. It will surely help them in earning better wages and livelihoods,” expressed Darshana Parmar Jain.

Gera said, “Skill training is just the first step and now the next step for these women will be to learn to deliver quality work every time on the site, said Kumar Gera.

“Many responsibilities in the family are on the shoulders of women, it was challenging to maintain their presence in the civil skill training camp. But we repeatedly tried to talk to them to be present every day. That’s the fruitful result we see today,” said Sapna Rathi.