Manual scavenging

Manual Scavenging - Blog

Manual scavenging refers to the practice of manually cleaning, carrying, disposing or handling in any manner, human excreta from dry latrines and sewers. It often involves using the most basic of tools such as buckets, brooms and baskets. The practice of manual scavenging is linked to India’s caste system where so-called lower castes were expected to perform this job. Manual scavengers are amongst the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in India.

In 1993, India banned the employment of people as manual scavengers. In 2013, landmark new legislation in the form of the Manual Scavengers Act was passed which seeks to reinforce this ban by prohibiting manual scavenging in all forms and ensures the rehabilitation of manual scavengers to be identified through a mandatory survey.

- Source UNITED NATIONS IN INDIA (http://in.one.un.org/page/breaking-free-rehabilitating-manual-scavengers/)

A dehumanizing practice prevalent for thousands of years. A society suppressed and stifled for generations based on an outdated caste-system. Humans who have been deprived of basic human rights and empathy. The ‘untouchables’ who are so bottled-up by society, they have forgotten to dream! Manual scavenging needs to end!

In this gloomy picture, Phool offers a new beginning. At Phool, we understand offering employment is not the solution but merely a start. For a society to evolve we need to change mind-sets which have been inherited from thousands of years of societal norms and practices. We pursue an approach which will not only transform livelihood of women working with us but will also secure acceptance of their family into the society. A world where their children will receive education and start to dream again!

Transform Occupational Change

“I used to work with human faeces. I felt it’s because of the sins of my ancestors. But now I work Temple flowers. I feel the gods are forgiving and washing off my sins!”

Opportunity for Financial Freedom

“My wages have increased 4 folds! Now my children don’t have to work for food, they can live their childhood like others”

Acceptance by Society

“We eat together, we laugh together! We don’t care for what they used to do. We do the same thing now! Together! We are equals!”

A Generation of Hope

“My wages have become 3 times! Now my children don’t have to work for food, they can live their childhood like others”

New and improved me

Self-confidence rising story of Parlour lady

Awareness of law and sanitation

“I own an Aadhaar card, Pan Card and have my own bank account. I live a life as any other dignified citizen”

Awareness of law and sanitation

“We learnt about the harmful effects of manual scavenging