Ratri Chaupal CSR programme launched to create safer spaces for rural women after sunset

Udaipur, India: With an aim to create safer spaces for women living in rural villages, Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, has launched a first-of-its-kind CSR program called Ratri Chaupal in India. Under this program, the company is illuminating communal spaces in villages to enable women to gather safely after sunset and attend night school and various information sessions on health, nutrition, agriculture, women safety, government schemes and financial literacy.

The company has partnered with Srushti Seva Samiti to launch the pilot project in 10 villages in the Mavli block of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The project was launched by Shri Jagdish Raj Shrimali, Honorable Minister of State & Vice Chairman, Labor Advisory Board, Rajasthan.

The program aims to positively impact more than 7,500 women and children in the district, by conducting sessions on health, nutrition, agricultural techniques and financial literacy. The project also expects to increase the participation of women in night schools and support the village households with enrollment support for government schemes.

Commenting on the launch, Nikhil Gupta, Head of Commercial Operations, Marketing and CSR, Signify Innovations India Limited, said, “With a vision to unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world, Signify is committed to make people’s lives safer. One of the most significant factors affecting the safety and well-being of women and families living in villages is the lack of adequate lighting after sunset. With a unique program like Ratri Chaupal, Signify will enable women to participate more actively in their local communities, giving them more time to pursue education, social and financial literacy programs and community involvement in a safe environment”

Speaking at the launch event, Shyam Sundar Bhatt, Chairman, Shrushti Seva Samiti commented, “It has been a great association working with Signify to create this unique and impactful Ratri Chaupal program. Women living in villages are afraid to venture out after sunset due to lack of adequate illumination, and as a result they miss out on opportunities to attend night school, learn about various social and financial schemes run by the government or simply engage with other members of the community. With this program, we have created a safe space for these women to connect with each other every evening and gain access to education and information, that can have a significant impact on their future.”

Additionally, the illuminated community centers will also function as libraries, open to all, when not in use for the chaupal sessions. After the success of the pilot project in Udaipur, Signify plans to expand this program to 10 more villages in other districts in Rajasthan.