Komal’s childhood was spent in the garbage heap. He roamed the dusty streets of Bengali Colony barefoot, and collected scraps of paper in Bhagtanwala’s dustbin. He would then be eight years old – or less.
Now 38, Komal still lives with the burden of that childhood.
Komal, a single mother of two, remembers the pain of her husband leaving. She said, “I am not educated. Never went to school. As a woman I may have lacked courage, but as a mother I have to be brave.”
For other women ragpickers like Komal, survival is no less than a struggle.
These women are responsible for sorting and collecting over 80% of India’s waste economy. Still, their work remains unnoticed.
Whereas men earn almost twice as much as these women by transporting waste from one place to another.
“We pick fast and work hard,” says Komal, “yet we get paid less.”
His journey is an example of bravery. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Komal’s income was only 250 rupees ($3) per day, which was not enough to survive.
Komal took a bold decision in such a situation. Using his savings, he bought a scale for his small shop.
UNDP’s Uthana project has helped them in this step towards self-reliance. The program gave Komal access she never expected.
Komal Uttan received health facilities, financial training and food security assistance as part of the initiative. Under the direction of the project, he took a bank loan and opened a plastic waste shop.
Komal has also formed a self-help group with other women, where they are trained in composting to diversify their income.
Komal said, now this work has become a little easier.
Their shop became a source of regular income and unity within their group was a source of strength.
Seeing Komal’s determination, her daughter recently told her, “Mom, you have worked so hard in life. I don’t know if I can work as hard as you.”
Remembering that, Komal smiles. Her message is clear: “I’m encouraging women to work. We have to work hard. It’s very important.”
It is clear from Komal’s story that women do a lot when they get access to wealth, respect and opportunities.
The change in her life with the help of UNDP’s Uthana project is no less than an example for other women waste workers.
His steady voice, full of pride, seemed to convey the essence of this campaign.
“We women are stronger than we think,” she says. And when women have access, their power can change the world.