Rekha joined as a VV-PACS (Poorest Areas Civil Society) Correspondent from Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, a region where forests serve as lifelines for the local communities. Currently pursuing a Masters Degree, she was associated with Ekta Parishad, a development organization working towards the empowerment of marginalized communities in Seoni. Now, with her camera in her hands, Rekha wants to highlight issues…

Rekha Bhangre

Share

Rekha Devi, a resident of Paravpur Village in Uttar Pradesh has not received any pension fund since her husband died. She has 3 daughters and 2 sons to feed, with no source of income. To add to her troubles, she doesn't have any ration card either.

Community correspondent Anjana Yadev is trying to get them their rights.

Rekha's husband migrated to Surat in search of employment where he finally had to drive a rikshaw to support his family. He broke his back in a road accident. For two years, Rekha struggled with his medical expenses while having to raise her children all by herself.

Now, he's gone and Rekha faces the same issue of lack of employment opportunities in her village. Add to that a social scenario where it is difficult for women to come out of their houses and work. This is why the meager sum she will get from her widow pension is vital for her to support her family.

There are 5 other women in the village, who also have not received any widow pension in years. They tried approaching the village council to help them get their due pension or at least a ration card. Some of them have been able to file an application but it has been pending for more than 10 months.

Call to Action: You can help Rekha by calling or messaging the Secretary & Village Head council at +91- 99567183059 asking him to take necessary action as soon as possible. Your contribution will help us build pressure on the officials and get these women their rights.

About the Partnership: The Poorest Areas Civil Society (PACS) Programme and Video Volunteers have come together to create the Community Correspondents Network. The videos generated by the network will be able to highlight voices from the margins, providing skills to social communicators to provide advocacy tools to community based organisations.