New Delhi, August 14, 2024 – In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering women in the leather industry, Solidaridad and the Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC) have formalized a significant partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU was signed by Mukhtarul Amin, Chairman of LSSC, and Monika Khanna, Country Manager, of Solidaridad-India. Sanjay Kumar, Executive Director, LSSC was also present. Mr. Amin informed that this agreement marks a pivotal moment for the leather sector, promising to deliver substantial benefits to women workers and drive forward the vision of a more inclusive and sustainable industry. The agreement, signed at the Status Club in Kanpur, promises to bring transformative changes to skill-based training for women workers, particularly those working from home in the Kanpur-Unnao leather cluster.
Women’s workforce in the leather industry currently faces numerous challenges. Many of these women work in informal settings with limited access to formal training or resources. They often deal with poor working conditions, low wages, and a lack of job security. Their roles are frequently undervalued and they have minimal opportunities for advancement. This situation not only hampers their economic potential but also affects their overall well-being. The MoU is set to benefit numerous home-based women workers by providing them with specialized training and resources. This initiative is designed to enhance their skills, improve their productivity, and offer better economic opportunities. By focusing on skill development, the program aims to uplift these women from informal, low-wage positions to more skilled and higher-paying roles within the industry.
Earlier in the day, “Solidaridad Resource Center” was inaugurated Mr. R.K. Jalan (Chairman, CLE), Mr. Sanjay Kumar (Executive Director, LSSC), Mr. Mukhtarul Amin (Chairman, LSSC), Mr. Anwarul Haq (President, UPLIA), Mr. Asad Iraqi (Regional Chairman, CLE), Mr. H. Rahman (President, STA, Ms. Pallavi Dubey (Regional Director, CLE), Mr. Taj Alam (Chairman- UPLIA, Unnao Chapter), Ms. Monika Khanna (Country Manager, SREC), Mr. Tatheer Zaidi (Asia Head, Pollution Management in MSMEs).
The primary objective of this center is to provide training to women in the leather industry, enhance their skills, and empower them to become Independent. The center is equipped with modern machinery, supplemented by better working conditions. In this regard, Solidaridad is signing an MoU with Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC). Solidaridad will award certificates to women upon completion of the training, aligning their skills with industry demands and boosting their overall well-being.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Ms. Monika Khanna, Country Manager, Solidaridad India, said, “Today marks a pivotal moment in our mission to empower women within the leather sector. Through this MoU, we are not only enhancing the skills of home-based workers but also paving the way for them to achieve greater economic independence and job security. Our vision is to create a more equitable industry where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to sustainable practices.”
Mr. Tatheer Zaidi, Head of Pollution Management in MSMEs, Solidaridad Asia, stressed the need for sustainable practices. His remarks underscored the importance of integrating environmental considerations into training programs to ensure that workers can adopt eco-friendly practices in their operations.
Mr. Aditya Kumar Singh, Programme Manager, Kanpur, emphasized the importance of this initiative in promoting gender equity. He highlighted that upskilling woman not only contributes to their personal and economic growth but also enhances overall industry productivity. “This partnership is a step towards leveling the playing field, allowing women to gain recognition for their skills and achieve better job security,” Singh noted.
A sustainability tool kit was also launched for Kanpur and Unnao leather clusters by Mr. R. K. Jalan, Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE). This toolkit is tailored to help industry stakeholders, also the technical strengthening of the tanner capacity of the leather worker, reduce their environmental impact, and adopt sustainable practices. It represents a significant advance towards more environmentally responsible leather production. The event saw strong support from industry leaders like Mr. Anwarul Haq, President of the Uttar Pradesh Leather Industries Association (UPLIA), and Mr. H. Rahman, President of the Small Tanneries Association (STA). Both leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration and the need to empower small tanneries.
Prof. Samsher, Vice Chancellor of Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) Kanpur, introduced the Training Module focused on pollution prevention. This module is designed to equip tannery workers with the knowledge and tools needed to implement sustainable practices, further enhancing Solidaridad’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
In conclusion, Mr. Asad Iraqi, Regional Chairman of CLE, underscored the importance of such partnerships in fostering sustainable growth. “Our collective efforts today set the stage for a future where women are not only recognized for their contributions but are also empowered to lead and innovate within the industry,” Iraqi stated.
The event was graced by several distinguished guests and key representatives, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Executive Director of the Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC), Ms. Pallavi Dubey, Regional Director of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), Mr. Anwarul Haq, President of the Uttar Pradesh Leather Industries Association (UPLIA), Mr. H. Rahman, President of the Small Tanneries Association (STA), and Mr. Taj Alam, Chairman of UPLIA’s Unnao Chapter. This initiative represents a significant leap toward transforming the leather industry, providing home-based women workers with the tools and opportunities to thrive while also advancing environmental sustainability.