A Mask to Tide Through the Tough Times

A group of 15 women from Dharampur Gram Panchayat, Gopal Panchayat and Manikchak Panchayat in the Malda district of West Bengal were rendered unemployed from their business of beedi making since the lockdown started in March. The SEWA Bangla staff members with the help of the Dharampur Pradhan took the initiative to involve these women in making masks. The Pradhan helped in procuring the raw materials. A total of 5000 masks along with COVID relief kits were distributed to the community. This alternative livelihood initiative helped the women as a source of income during the Covid-19 situation.