Women’s active participation in social transformation- Story of Yasmin Sheikh

Story By: Arushi Narchal
Author: Kajol Tanaya
The sun rises early in the village of India, and the smell of fresh breakfast fills the air. In the kitchen, a woman is bustling about, preparing for the day ahead. She is a mother, rushing through her morning chores so that she can start out on her work as a domestic helper to many households in the neighbourhood. This is not the life she dreamed of, but she is grateful for the work she is doing because it allows sustaining her household. She knows that this is the life she must lead in order to keep her family fed, clothed and cared for.

This is the story of Yasmin Sheikh, a 40 years old resident of the Paithan District of Aurangabad. She has been a mother and a domestic helper, making a difference in the lives of not just her family but also the families that she serves.

Yasmin would spend her day cleaning, cooking and taking care of the household. She works tirelessly, but with a smile, oblivious to the world that exists outside the kitchen, children and her work. She had seen it all. Yasmin had seen her share of struggles and hardships. She had seen her family struggle to make ends meet and had seen them strive to make the most of their lives.

But one day, something unconventional was about to happen that will awaken her inner calling to work for something greater than just family or household.

Yasmin came across CASA at work, helping her community. The on-field staff was giving out information on government schemes, delivering support to vulnerable families, and focusing on the importance of community-based organizations. It was a beacon of hope in a world that so often felt lost and forgotten. The sight of CASA’s work inspired her. She realized that she too could make a difference in her community. She could help those in need, empower families with the knowledge and work with the community to create a brighter future. There begins the transformative journey of Yasmin.

She started to volunteer her time and effort. Yasmin understood the importance of women’s active participation in working towards overcoming their ongoing economic, political and education-related issues. Yasmin no longer felt powerless and forgotten. Once she joined CASA, Yasmin began her journey of learning and empowerment with the help of her peers and mentors. She slowly began to understand the problems of her community, the effects of patriarchy and systemic issues of caste, class and gender. She started to recognize the importance of education and the need for access to better healthcare and nutrition.

Yasmin also learned the importance of collective action and the power of collective decision-making. She was able to provide valuable insights to her peers and mentors on the issues of her community, raising her voice against the oppression of women, and actively working to make justice a reality for many women.

Yasmin was elected as a member of a people’s organization that focused on rural development in Aurangabad. This gave her an opportunity to participate in integrated development processes. Yasmin’s work was gaining recognition. She went on to get selected as a member of an active Maharashtra state-level forum, that actively focuses on development processes, keeping democracy and public interest in mind.

Without CASA’s unabashed support, Yasmin believes she may not have been able to work on various issues, right from the village grassroots to the state level. Her involvement with CASA was not limited to on-field activities. Yasmin attended various seminars and workshops conducted by CASA, which enabled her to gain a better understanding of the issues confronting her community and how to work towards resolving them.

Currently, she is working with the Lokshahi Janhit Parishad and other forums and networks that are based in Maharashtra. As a volunteer in CASA, she is enabling the effective delivery of various benefits to the most vulnerable masses in Aurangabad through CASA’s COVID-19 aid and response activities.

Yasmin’s story is an inspiration for her community. She has been able to bring about positive change within her own community through her dedication, commitment and hard work. She is now a leader in her own right, advocating for the rights of women and minorities and creating awareness about the issues that confront her community. Yasmin is a proud example of how education, awareness and collective action can bring about positive social change.