Mumbai (India). On 6 April 2025, 350 women from rural areas of different States and districts in western India, belonging to the woman’s empowerment groups led by the Daughters of Mary Auxiliary of the St. Mary Mazzarello Province (INB), were warmly welcomed by 150 volunteers, young people, and Sisters at the Auxilium Convent in Wadala, Mumbai, to celebrate together Woman’s Day with the theme “Woman: Ray of Hope”.
Festively dressed for the occasion, the women lived a day of reflection, celebration, and joy with the role of women as rays of hope in society at the center.
The Provincial, Sister Meenakshi D’Silva, expressed her joy at seeing such a large number of participants and encouraged them to give importance to the education, not only of their sons and daughters, but also of themselves, “Every woman should be proud and happy to learn how to read and write,” she said.
The other guest, Ms. ra Anita Vitthal Ithubone, Deputy Inspector of Police, also stressed the importance of educating girls to make them “stand up for themselves”. At the end of the day, she thanked for the invitation “to such a beautiful and spectacular event, organized with great commitment”.
The FMA coordinators of each community’s Social Development Sectors, under the able guidance of Sister Manisha Parmar, Coordinator of the Office of Social Development (SDC) and National Coordinator for Youth at Risk, took care of every detail of the Celebration. All participants came from inland villages. They are gradually getting rid of everything that prevents them from living their female status to the full, especially the traditional and cultural barriers.
Women’s self-help groups (SHG)
In 2003, the INB Province launched the Self-help Group (SHG) for the empowerment of women in rural areas and shantytowns, coordinated by Sister Aruna Castelino, FMA, and her team with the Mysore Rehabilitation and Development Agency (MYRADA). Numerous formation seminars for Sisters and lay people have been organized throughout the Province.
To date, more than 80,000 women have been formed and continue to form others. These groups are linked to savings and credit banks, thus improving women’s financial stability. A good number of women have started their own small businesses, developed advanced entrepreneurial skills, and are now trainees, motivating themselves and others. It is this process of formation that opens the way to transformation in their families and communities, leading to social transformation in their villages and society at large.
A cooperative bank in Dakor – Gujarat
In 2011, the FMA and women succeeded in starting a cooperative bank in Dakor – Diocese of Ahmedabad. This was the beginning of financial independence for women, not only in the SHG network but also outside. The bank provides financial independence and decision-making power to women; offers affordable loans for small businesses, SHG’s, and women entrepreneurs; helps women avoid turning to high-interest rate moneylenders; assists women in creating a credit history, allowing access to greater financial opportunities for the future.
Other significant initiatives implemented are: the Children’s Education Support Program (since 1998); the Farmers’ Club (since 2022); the Young at Risk Reception Centers (YaR), since 1995; the Neighborhood Children’s Parliament (NCP), since 2010; the Ministry of Migrants and awareness raising about human trafficking (from 2020).
Promoting Volunteering
Women, children, and youth volunteer for education support programs, activities, and Women’s Day celebrations in all centers. 30 volunteers also collaborate with Sahayini, the Development Office of the Province.
On 6 April at the Auxilium Convent Wadala, joyful and energetic women alternated on stage bringing success stories full of hope through dances and skits, interwoven with fun and laughter, in a wonderful symphony.
“On the day of the Celebration I was amazed – commented Sister Manisha – to see the smiles and enthusiasm on everyone’s face. It was undeniably a multicultural, interreligious, and interfaith celebration.”
Sister Manisha’s dream: “My dream is that we become a vast movement of female strength. Women transforming their families, the locality in which they live, and gradually the whole world. On 6 April, we saw heroines who gave themselves to the humanitarian cause and found meaning in their commitment. These exemplary women are inspired by their faith, supported by their spiritual practices and face every day with hope.”
