Promoting Gender Equality and Empowering women
Supporting women’s rights to health, education, dignity and self-reliance should be at the core of every society. So far, over 30,000 women have been helped through our programmes. Our work provides vocational and farming training to help women become self-reliant while also providing healthcare, educational and welfare support to underprivileged women.
Over 200 girls who found it difficult to get to school were given 200 bicycles. More than 600 widows have been supported with groceries and other essentials.
Menstruation is still a taboo in many parts of our country. To help menstruating women, we have created period-positive homes where they can feel safe, happy, healthy, motivated, and increase their self-reliance with various skill development activities every month. On World Menstruation Day, Finolex and MMF provided over 7,000 women with sanitary napkins and education about good hygiene practices.
women helped
through our programmes
cycles donated
to schoolgirls
sanitary napkins
distributed
Period Positive holiday homes
impacting 582 ladies
Board Inauguration of Mukul Madhav Foundation
Tribal Villages in Maharashtra declared Open Defecation Free(ODF)
(Backed by Finolex Industries, Supported by the Socio Economic Alternatives Research & Resource Community for Humanity)
Mukul Madhav Foundation’s initiative of sanitation began in November 2016. A journey that started in Palghar has now successfully provided 13 villages in the district with 778 individual, solar illuminated toilets with soak pits, built by local labourers, thereby providing upskilling and employment opportunities through the initiative.
The effort has since been extended to the tribal belt of Gadchiroli district in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra on the request of Dr. Anand and Rani Bang, and a total of 260 individual, solar illuminated toilets with soak pits have been installed in 8 villages, with three more in the pipeline.
Dr Abhay Bang, Dr Anand Bang and Dr Rani Bang are at the helm of the Socio Economic Alternatives Research & Resource Community for Humanity (SEARCH), dedicated to providing home-based primary health care with a focus on the mothers, newborns and children living in the 39 villages in Gadchiroli district. MMF has been working with the NGO to reduce the preventable mortality and morbidity rates among these vulnerable groups, while empowering the community towards achieving the same goal.
MMF has been working on many mother and child care initiatives in 39 villages in Gadchiroli, including Period Homes for the local women, built to provide them with a safe, hygienic and dignified space during menstruation. Through our efforts, 1,000 mothers and 700 newborns have been provided community-based care, and 700 children have received care for diarrhoea and ARI.
Additionally, in the villages of Sonale and Shele, 40 lights and 10 lights respectively were donated by our on-ground Implementation partner GPECO Solutions, furthering the solar initiative in the region.
We are grateful to the individuals, the authorities, Yuva Parivartan, our ground implementation partner and all our representatives who have made these initiatives possible.
Communal Wedding organised for the Bariya Samaj
(Backed by Finolex Industries)
Bariya Samaj, a marginalised community, organised a communal wedding (Samuhik Vivah) on 21st April 2022 for 25 couples from underprivileged backgrounds at the Padra Block (Near FIL Masar Plant) in Gujarat, and requested the support of Mukul Madhav Foundation.
Keeping their basic necessities in mind, Ritu Chhabria gifted each newly married couple a pressure cooker, which Mr Mangesh Bhake presented to the couples on her behalf at the ceremony.
The President of Bariya Samaj was very grateful for the gift appreciating how readily and swiftly the Management contributed to the initiative.
Bariya Samaj has organised a group wedding
Maharashtra Granthottejak Sanstha
FIL/MMF supported Maharashtra Granthottejak Sanstha(Deccan Vernacular Translation Society)
(Funded by FIL)
Finolex Industries and its CSR partner Mukul Madhav Foundation supported Maharashtra Granthottejak Sanstha(Deccan Vernacular Translation Society) founded by 25 visionary Maharashtrian social reformers like Lokmanya Tilak, Justice Ranade and Dr. Sir Bhandarkar in 1894. Its main objective is to uplift Marathi language and literature.
Mukul Madhav always believes in promoting art, culture and heritage which has been carried on from ages, with this vision an appeal was responded to with a computer and printer support to the institution which was handed over on 28.3.2022. This would enable the institution staff to store, convert old, rare documents and manuscripts to digital format.
Provided administrative infrastructure support to 4 prisons in Maharashtra
(Supported by Police Mitra Sanghatana, Backed by Finolex Industries)
Mukul Madhav Foundation has been providing administrative infrastructure support to prison systems for a long time.
On 6th April, in collaboration with Police Mitra Sanghatana, MMF supported Pune, Satara, Ahmednagar, and Kolhapur jails with computers and printers, to help smoothen the day-to-day administrative work for jail authorities.
The equipment was handed over during a ceremony at Yerwada Jail, in the presence of Mr Patil, DYSP Yerawada Jail, Mr Sarode PI, Yerawada Jail, Mr Sumit Darandale President Police Mitra Sanghatana and Team MMF.
On 9th April, the equipment was handed over and distributed at the Ahmednagar District Jail in the presence of Mr Petras Gaikwad (Jail S. P.), Mr Shamakant Shedge (Senior Jailer), Mr Manikrao Vidhate (President Ahmednagar dist Rashtrawadi Congress), Sumit Darandale (State secretary Police Mitra) Dinesh Kadam (member Police Mitra) and Dadasaheb Gadakh (FIL Ahmednagar).
Donation of Computer and Printer to Jail authority
Shivganga old age home at Kamshet
Senior Citizen home in Panshet, Ambi Village, near Pune supported with renovations
(Backed by Finolex Industries)
Mukul Madhav Foundation received an appeal from Janseva Foundation to extend financial support for renovations including roofing, leakage, painting, and waterproofing of the hall and kitchen at the centre that houses 175 seniors.
MMF wasted no time in making this a reality. On 9th April 2022, we kickstarted the renovation work with a coconut breaking ceremony and the work is now nearing completion. The ceremony was attended by Mrs Ganga Patil, Founder, Shivganga Senior Citizen Home, Kamshet, members of the Home’s staff, along with Mr Jadhav and Mr Bhushan from the MMF team. Ms Sonali Surani – Manager, Mr Pradeep Priswas – In charge of the Janseva Foundation, and Mr Yogesh and Mr Bhushan from MMF were also in attendance.
FIL/MMF supported Sassoon hospital during Samaj Sethu Event
(Funded by FIL)
On 27th March Sassoon hospital conducted Samaj sethu event were over all Maharashtra government hospital Social work were present and Team MMF was present there.
MMF distributed 150 Sack bags to all the social workers present at Sassoon Hospital.
The Cheif guest of the event was Dr Chandanwale , and Dr kale and was attended by Ms Yasmin Shaikh from MMF.
The chief guest Dr Chandwale sir appreciated the work done by the Mukul Madhav Foundation towards Sassoon hospital and always being an helping hand towards the initiatives.
Sassoon hospital during Samaj Sethu Event
Old age home enjoying the magic show
Support to Senior Citizen homes in Maharashtra
(Backed by Finolex Industries)
MMF has undertaken measures to reduce inequalities faced by socially and economically disadvantaged groups, like senior citizens by supporting senior citizen homes with diapers, monthly groceries, and regular health camps in Satara and other rural regions.
During the pandemic, we supported them by arranging for transportation and refreshments as they went out to avail their vaccinations.
Various outreach programs like tree plantation drives and other extracurricular activities are regularly conducted to keep them active and enthusiastic.
To celebrate hope and new beginnings, in the first week of January, 2022, we organised a magic show and a musical evening at the Abhalmaya, Niwara, Shantiban and Sankalp homes that cater to a total of 185 senior citizens.
Promoting gender equality, empowering women, setting up homes and hostels for women and orphans, setting up old age homes, day care centres and such other facilities for senior citizens, is a part of MMF’s belief in reducing inequalities, and we are happy to continue putting smiles on people’s faces with our endeavours.
Installed 10 high mast lamps at the request of 21-year old sarpanch of Khadki village, Snehal Kalbhor
(Backed by Finolex Industries)
The youngest sarpanch, 21-year old Snehal Kalbhor, identified the lack of safe passage for the residents of Khadki village, and reached out to MMF for support. On the 1st of January, 2022, representatives of MMF/FIL, along with the Sarpanch and Gram Panchayat members, installed 10 high mast lamps in the village.
These high-mast lamps are designed to provide a more visible and uniform lighted area for people passing through it. It provided a safe environment for women, children, and senior citizens, and was greatly appreciated by the entire village.
Board Inauguration ceremony
Bicycle donation, Solapur, Maharashtra
We donated 200 bicycles to 9th and 10th grade female students from various ZP schools in Madha block of Solapur to reduce the drop-out rates of girls in schools. We made this possible with the collaboration of Madha Welfare foundation in 2019.
International Widow Day, Maharashtra and Kashmir
23rd Janurary has been declared International Widow Day since 2011. However, MMF has been working to support widows for many years.
For instance, in Pune, we been supporting widows over the last 23 years at the Mahila Sewa Ashram and Maher Ashram by enhancing their personal well being.
For the last three years, MMF has supported 312 widow farmers in Osmanabad with soya and tuvar seeds.
These women benefit from good crops and prices in the market, which help them clear the private loans that they have taken to support their children in education.
Some other initiatives:
- Supported 60 widows from a group called “Shepherds Crafts” in Srinagar, Kashmir, with groceries.
- 20 widows supported with financial assistance in 2020-2021
- Supported 178 widows with groceries and other essentials in
- Anusaya Mahila Ashram, Ratnagiri
- Mahila Seva Mandal and Maher Institute, Pune
Support to Breakthrough
One of the key areas that Breakthrough works on is the alarming issue of early marriage in India. Girls who are married early are twice as likely to become victims of domestic violence because of the unequal power dynamics when they are married to older men. These young girls go on to face a lifetime of ill health, neglect, and violence.
Breakthrough reaches over 4,00,000 adolescents across 5 states to help change this situation by building the agency of young girls and ensuring that their families and communities value them.
We have been supporting Breakthrough by sponsoring their events.
Women’s Empowerment
Period Positive Holiday Homes
Since 2017, we have been working with Kherwadi Social Welfare Association’s Yuva Parivartan to build individual toilets in tribal villages of Palghar. As of this date, we have completed 778 toilets in 13 villages and all these villages have been declared as Open Defecation Free Villages. In 2019, Yuva Parivartan introduced us to Gadchiroli where we conceptualised Period Positive Holiday Homes – a safe haven for women and girls during menstruation.
Originating from the belief that menstruation is impure, banishing menstruating women to Period Huts or Kurma Ghars is an unhealthy practice among certain tribes like the Madias and Gonds in Gadchiroli. The purpose of this home is to empower women by making them feel happy, healthy, and helping them become self-reliant with skill development activities. Other amenities, such as a small kitchenette with a kerosene stove, space for drying clothes, mattresses, cupboards, buckets, mugs and the like, have been provided.
Looking at these homes, the women of Darachi village, along with a local NGO, have written to us asking to support another Period Positive Holiday Home in Darachi village. This has been announced and the construction will soon begin with the consent of Project Naveli.
Here are some of the milestones we have crossed during this project:
- May 2020: The first home was inaugurated by MMF in Tukum village, which helped 133 women. We always believe in collaborating with various like-minded corporates and partners, like Finolex Industries Ltd in this case, to have better reach and support more individuals.
- May 2021: MMF introduced this project to Shri Janak Dwarkadas and Project Naveli where 2 homes were built in Fasi Toola, which helped 56 women, and Project Naveli, Mohali, for 53 women.
- June 2021: An appeal to collaborate was received from Project Naveli. With their partnership, 6 homes have been inaugurated along with KETTO Donors and a matching fund by Project Naveli, which is now are benefitting 340 women in the following villages:
- Kanal Tola: 42
- Pawani Tola: 49
- Waghbhumi: 50
- Yerandi: 62
- Chicholi: 42
- Motibatti: 95
With this, a total of 582 women have been supported.
Empowering Senior women in our society ‘Aaji Bai School’ – Grandmothers at school
As we get older, thumb-based biometric recognition as signatures often don’t work. We encouraged 25 senior women to become literate by launching “Aji Bai Chi Shala” (Grandmothers’ School) and distributing 25 school bags. This will enable them to use their signature rather than a thumb impression.
A unique initiative was undertaken by MMF to empower and educate 25 senior citizens with basic literacy. The project was formally declared open on Saturday, June 22nd at Wadachi Wadi, a rural village 150 kms from Pune in Murbad, Thane District.
Education for Grandmothers in Remote areas of Malshej – Thane
All the senior citizens were encouraged to continue their education. We made sure that they would encourage others to attend school on a regular basis too.
MMF has been supporting vulnerable women in red light areas through Saheli Sangh, Pune. Since 2014, 40 women have been supported with nutritious food and groceries. Milk was being provided to the children of these sex workers. Saheli Sangh is the only sex workers collective working for the last 20 years for sex workers and their children in Pune city. Like other disadvantaged groups, this is one of the most underprivileged parts of our community. We need funding support for the next couple of months to provide nutrition to these children.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many transgender individuals could not fend for themselves. MMF stepped forward and supported 850 transgender people in Pune and Mumbai by supplying groceries to them.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day
On 28th May, World Menstrual Day, we endeavoured to enhance and empower women with safe hygiene practices.
To support the women of our society, Mukul Madhav Foundation supported more than 7,000 girls with sanitary napkins. These have been procured from Krishi Vidyan Kendra, Baramati, under an initiative called Sobati.
These have been distributed in urban slum areas and rural districts of Pune.
Alongside this, we have also supported 2,000 girls in West Bengal with sanitary towels during this pandemic and the recent floods caused by the Amphan Cyclone, in collaboration with Rangeen Khidki Foundation.
Prajwala NGO
MMF in collaboration with Prajwala NGO, worked to support the welfare of victims of sex trafficking and crimes that were rescued in Hyderabad.
Prajwala has evolved over the last 25 years to build a comprehensive set of interventions that aims to address sex trafficking and sex crimes holistically. It is possibly one of the few that is ahead of the curve.
To tackle the problem, the NGO has developed evidence-based solutions and advocacy with state and non-state partners to replicate or adapt it. From a programmatic perspective, Prajwala believes in experimenting with different approaches.
Prajwala is one of the organisations in the world that have addressed the issue from all ends with considerable success, ranging from prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, restoration, and reintegration.
Collaboration with British Asian Trust in MP and Bihar
Mukul Madhav Foundation, in collaboration with British Asian Trust (BAT) and Finolex Industries, is supporting two meaningful projects to support child rights and have signed an agreement for one year that started in July 2021.
- Elimination of child labour and protection in Alirajpure in Madhya Pradesh
- Preventing child trafficking in vulnerable districts in Bihar
The British Asian Trust was founded in 2007 by the Prince of Wales and a group of pre-eminent British Asian business leaders. The Trust works to tackle the widespread poverty and hardship in South Asia to which millions are currently subjected.
Helping Warkaris in Maharasthra
Every year, MMF embarks on a journey to support the pilgrims on the Pandharpur Yatra by distributing bags, Haripaths, Kunchis, and Gandhi Topis, along with organising health checkup camps along the way.
In 2019, we constructed 3 sheds for Pandharpur pilgrims at Loni Kalbhor, Pirachi Kuroli, and Wakhari. These sheds are taken care of by the Gram Panchayats of the respective villages. All pilgrims travelling from Alandi to Pandharpur every year halt and rest at these locations.
Continuing this endeavour, over 2,00,000 bags, 1,00,000 Haripaths, 25,000 Kunchis, and 10,000 Gandhi Topis have been distributed.
Alongside this, over 300 trees have been planted to provide shade to pilgrims and support the ecological balance.
Regular monitoring and evaluation are being done to ensure these initiatives’ well-being and support.
Yoga Centre Renovated in Anandmayee Ashram, Pune
In the holy land of Maharashtra, the voice of bhakti (devotion) resonates, and the glory of jnana (wisdom) has come to light. This is the birthplace of the great hero Shivaji and is also the place for the spiritual practices of Samartha Guru Ramdas. Ma’s Ashram is situated here at the foot of the Chatursringi hillock on Ganeshkhind Road, Pune.
In 1960, Mr and Mrs Bhagwan Das Nagpal offered a plot of land along with a new building at the feet of Ma.
In loving memory of the late Mohini and Pralhad P Chhabria, the Yoga Centre at Shri Shri Anandamayee Ashram, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, was renovated on Saturday, January 14th, 2017.
Yoga and meditation classes are conducted here for students and residents of the Ashram and will also be open to devotees who wish to use this facility.
Yoga Centre Renovated in Anandmayee Ashram, Pune
Helmet distribution in Pune and Ahmednagar
In association with the Pune Police and Traffic Police Department, MMF and Gulf Oil Lubricants commemorated Road Safety Week in Pune in January 2017. The two corporations have distributed 1,600 helmets and facemasks to the Pune Police, including the traffic department.
To mark the occasion, a 36 km Road Safety Rally was organised on January 15, 2017.
The volunteers and participants of the rally created awareness of traffic rules and regulations and the need to follow them for a safe, smooth, and congestion-free driving experience.
In 2018, a similar project was initiated for the Ahmednagar Police Force by providing them with 500 helmets in collaboration with Police Mitra Sanghatana.
Infrastructure development to various institutions
MMF supported the infrastructure development for the below-mentioned institutes that care for more than 750 residents.
- Samajik Vikas Kendra is a senior citizen home (Vishram Ghar) in Mandavne-Karjat, Thane, Maharashtra, providing shelter to abandoned older adults. At this home, we supported 12 months of grocery in 2016 and renovated the kitchen shed in 2017.
- Vatsalya Trust is an Orphanage in Alibag, Raigad near Mumbai. The main objective of the trust is to “care, protect and empower destitute and deprived members of society with special emphasis on orphan/ destitute children and marginalised unskilled youth”. This trust houses 18 children. We supported the renovation of the roof and replacing the same with a tin roof in 2018.
- National Association for the Blind (NAB) Lion, Home for the ageing blind, Khandala: National Association for the blind is one of the largest voluntary organisations established in 1952, providing cradle to grave services to the blind in India housing 70 inmates.We have been supporting this institute with monthly groceries since 2014. We also supported this institute with the painting and plastering of their dining hall in 2018.
- Abhalmaya, established in 2010 in Pune, is one of the leading retirement homes housing 70 individuals. They are also known for Institutions For Aged and Charitable Old Age Homes. We have supported monthly groceries since 2019 and supported sanitation facilities, painting, plumbing and kitchen renovation.
- Devtaru: This home for respectful living supports 45 retired senior citizens with qualified professionals caring for them. We have supported this institute with diapers since 2019 and helped with sanitation facilities, flooring and tin roof renovation.
- Nisargik Shiksha Sanshodhan Parshikshan Sanstha, Devale Gaon Malavli: This is a Home for orphans and children of single parents housing 120 children. In 2020, along with like-minded donors, we supported this home with the renovation of the roof, which had worn out during the devasting Nisarg cyclone.
- Sangola Dharamshala: Mathadhipati Muktabai Maharaj Belgaonkar Math. We supported the renovation of this math for Pandharpur pilgrims to rest on the route in 2019.
- Pathan Shah Baba Darga, Khandala, Satara: The Hazarat Pathanshah Baba Dargah is around 150 to 200-year-old and is situated in Padegaon, Satara, near Nira. It is on the road that connects Lonand and Nira. We have supported the renovation by helping them with a shade in 2019.
- Somgiri Guru Samadhi, Sordi, Sangli District: In 2021, we extended Infrastructural assistance to Gram Panchayat Sordi, Sangli with 2 rooms at Shri Dattatray Dev Somgiri Guru Samadhgiri Maharaj Trust, Sordi, and a shelter for pilgrims.
- MMF, with like-minded friends, supported Sordi by desilting and widening the lake there. The lake can now hold three years’ worth of water with no rainfall. At present, the lake is full of water. All the villagers of Sordi are happy as they now have sufficient water for farming.
