Stree Mukti Sanghatana

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Primary information

Year formed

1975

Registered in

1985

Formally registered

On

Language

English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Urdu

Number of members

3,000

Type of members

Members are multi sector, Members are waste pickers

Occupation of members

Solid waste managers, Waste collectors, Waste pickers

Type of Organization

Cooperative, Federation of cooperatives, Network of cooperatives, Non governmental organization, Self-help group, Women´s group

Organizational Reach

Local, National

Workplace of members

Collection from companies, Companies, Door to door, Fixed, Home-based, Landfill, Open, Other, Recycling center, Sorting center, Street

Membership

No

Organization Structure

Trustee-President-Secretary-Treasurer- Executive Committee-Advisory Committee- Coordinator-Assistant Coordinator-Accountant-Supervisor.

Objectives

Improve leadership amongst women, encourage and promote stable and sustainable employment, reduce vulnerability and risk, job creation, savings opportunities, development of educational activities for children and adolescents

Education and training

Business & project management, Cooperativism & solidarity economy, Hygiene education, Leadership training, Learning exchange, Literacy & school, Mobilization, Rights & duties, Risks & health, Waste management

Partnering organizations

The Alliance of Indian Wastepickers

Affiliations

Aiw

Funding

Donor, Donor funded, Government, Local population pay fee, Local population pay fee, Membership fees, Ngo funds, Partners

Internal elections

Every 3 years

Women composition

100,0% All members are women

Social networking sites

Facebook

Benefits

Member benefits

Child assistance programmes, Clean & healthy environment, Education programmes, Health care & insurance, Id cards, Job creation & source of income, Legal assistance, Occupational health & safety, Savings or credit scheme, Social & pension benefits, Training & advocacy

Safety & Technology

Dust coats, Fire extinguishers, First aid kits, Gloves, Masks, Risk training,, Safety boots, Yes

Services

What kind of relationship exists with the municipality?

Integrated into formal systems of source segregation

How is the relationship with the municipality?

Excellent and/or friendly

Types of materials

Biodegradable, Biodegradable waste, Bottles, Cans, Charcoal, Clothing, Electronic waste, Glass, Household items, Metals, Organics, Other, Paper and cardboard, Plastic, Plastics, Shoe soles, Tetra brik

Are they selling to middlemen?

Yes

Activities

Buying materials, Cleaning, Collecting materials, Collection of recyclables, Collection of waste, Composting, Organizing collective events, Selling materials, Sensitization of locals, Sorting waste, Special collections from large generators of waste, Street sweeping, Training and capacity building, Transportation, Tree planting, Waste collection, Waste management, Waste sorting

Sorting Spaces

Sorting center

Treatmet of organic materials

Biogas, Composting

Challenges to access waste

Availability of waste, Exploitation, Lack of education & training, Lack of infrastructure & resources, Lack of recognition, Lack of tools, Negative attitude towards waste, Price fluctuations of waste, Privatization, Transportation

Complementary Information

Other publications

1) Kachara Navhe Sampatti Author: Jyoti Mhapsekar Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: This latest publication of SMS focuses entirely on the ever-increasing problem of Urban Waste and `Simple Ways to Solve the Problem’. Waste is not waste but wealth is the basic principle of SMS environmental wing Parisar Vikas and this books talks about this wealth in detail. With beautiful illustrations and simple language, this book would go a long way in creating awareness among urban waste and how to manage it. 2) Lalkari Author: Sharada Sathe Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: Lalkar is a collection of editorials written by Sharada Sathe, Chief Editor of`Prerak Lalka-ri’, the house magazine of SMS. Prerak Lalkari has a tradition of 27 glorious years and Sharada has been the Chief Editor for all 27 years consistently. The collected editorials range from women’s general problems, women related laws and overall note of the chang-ing social and economic scenario in context of Indian woman. 3) Nari Mukti Ki Lalkar Author: Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: A collection of different Hindi songs, which the cultural troupe of SMS presents at different stage shows. Before starting with street plays, SMS cultural troupe sing these songs to reach out to people . The songs mainly contain social issues and the collective efforts by common people to solve these issues. 4) Hunda Nako Ga Bai Author: Jyoti Mhapsekar Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description This play gives out a strong message against dowry in Indian marriages. Over a period of time, dowry is not taken/given in its traditional form but has developed many new names and faces, which ultimately leads to a monetary burden on the bride’s parents. Along with stopping dowry, we as a society should collectively demand simple weddings which will not burden the parents of both, bride and the bridegroom. 5) Souvenir Author: Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana 6) Khsitijavaril Shalaka Author: Jyoti Mhapsekar Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana 7) Antaricha Theva Author: Jyoti Mhapsekar Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana 8) Goph Janivanncha Author: Vrushali Magdum Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: A collection of short stories and real-life incidences narrated by the writer herself. Central theme of all the stories is `Common Woman you can find all over India’ and her typical problems related to workplace, attitude towards girl child in India, etc. Many a stories talk about how Vrushali, the writer has participated in solving some issues. 9) Samasya Sodavitana Author: Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: SMS runs family counselling centers at different places in Mumbai and Maharashtra. The counsellors working there deal with varied types of cases and have garnered a huge experi-ence while solving problems faced by women. All these have been collated in this book. The book also talks about the actual procedure of counselling, the different bodies that need to be contacted while solving family problems and view of SMS while running the counsel-ling centres. 10) Aamche Ghar Author: Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: Amache Ghar is a clear see-through of the activities of different child-care centres run by SMS. It explains the basic thought behind starting these centres and also gives an opportunity to know the day-to-day working of the centres. The book also notes experiences of par-ents, children as well as the staff of these centres. 11) Prabodh Katha Author: Arvind Vaidya Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: Arvind Vaidya is the member of Prerak Lalkari editorial team for a long time. He has writ-ten many effective series in PrerakLalkari. `Prabodh Katha’ is the collection of traditional stories narrated in modern way. 12) Beti Ayee Hai Author: Vasant Deo Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: This is a Hindi version of Jyoti Mhapsekar’s famous play `MulgiZaliHo’, translated by Vasant Deo. The play talks about the different hurdles faced by the girl child at different stages of her life. Hindi version was mainly made available for stage shows of `MulgiZali Ho’ all over India where Hindi is the predominant language. 13) Jidnyasa Author: Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: The book `Jidnyasa’ covers various topics that are discussed during the adolescence education program conducted by SMS and Institute of Psychological Health (IPH). The book gives a complete view about the thought behind starting Jidnyasa, the different modules used in the program and also some articles of renowned personalities working on the issue. 14) Lekicha Janmabhovati Author: Ravindra R.P Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana 15) Krutadnata Author: Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: Krutadnyata is the gratitude expressed by SMS towards the senior stalwarts of Indian Women’s Movement. The names include Comrade/s Ahilya Ranganekar, Mrunal Gore, Tara Reddy, Kamal Desai, Mehrunnisa Dalwai, Shobhana Ranade, Kalindi Mazumdar and many more. It is because of their foresight and support, the Women’s Movement in Maharashtra has taken a lead in the national scenario. 16) Airanivarche Prashna Author: Pratibha Ranade Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: The book gives a total review of problems faced by Muslim women in India, with a special reference to Goa State. It mainly stresses the need for a `Common Civil Code’ and how Muslim women are suffering because of a different Muslim Personal Law in the country. The title of the book emphasizes the urge for such efforts. 17) Nivdak Lalkari Author: Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana Description: It is the collection of select important articles & poems published in `Prerak Lalkari’ till 2006. Prerak Lalkari has been consistently publishing articles on social, economic and legal aspects of Indian women. The articles which have a long-lasting impact on the readers have been collected in this book. 18) Ek Aarsa – Striyaan Sathi Author: Jyoti Mhapsekar Publication: Stree Mukti Sanghatana

Information source

The information was provided by Parisar Vikas Programme Coordinator Sunita Patil to the secretariat of the Alliance of Indian Wastepickers.

Comments / Narrative

Stree Mukti Sanghatana (SMS) – SMS will be the principal implementing organization. SMS was founded in 1975 for the upliftment of the urban poor, especially women. Since its inception, SMS has worked towards providing employment and raising awareness regarding issues related to women. SMS started out with theatre but now it has nine programs ranging from adolescent training to counselling centres running successfully across Maharashtra and reaching out to thousands of marginalized women and children.

The Parisar Vikas program of SMS aims at addressing the problems of waste pickers engaged in the ‘menial’ task of ‘cleaning waste’ and also the critical problem of  Solid Waste Management (SWM ) engulfing current urban existence and impacting climate change adversely.

SMS’ vision for SWM & climate change is

• Decentralized,
• Low Cost,
• Energy Efficient
• Labour Friendly
• High Resource Recovery
• Environmentally-sound
• Sustainable

To achieve this, SMS has organized women waste pickers in self-help groups and trained them in sorting, composting and biomethanization of waste. Through them, SMS has initiated many zero-waste campus projects with college and corporate campuses by collecting their segregated dry waste and processing their wet waste in the campus itself, either by composting or by Biomethanation. For smooth operation and to maximize the direct benefit to urban poor women, SMS has initiated and registered a Federation of self-help groups and ten cooperatives.  SMS has developed various methods for composting of wet waste at the Individual, Society and Ward level. SMS also conducts school-based awareness programs for SWM with 5000 students every year. SMS runs Health and Education program for waste pickers and their children. SMS and its affiliated organizations have tied up with the Municipal Corporation in 13 Municipal Wards, including H-West Ward (covering Bandra Reclamation) for collection and disposal of dry waste