By Swati Shirtar, Program Manager, Gender Unit
To promote gender equality and enable women to break into traditionally male-dominated roles, Centre for Youth Develoment and Activities (CYDA) has formed the Non-Traditional Livelihoods Alliance in collaboration with like-minded organizations and pioneering women who have already made their mark in these sectors. This alliance aims to challenge gender stereotypes and create a supportive ecosystem for more women to pursue non-traditional career paths with confidence and dignity.
In a powerful gathering of resilience and progress, 25 young women involved in the Non-Traditional Livelihood initiative came together for a focused NTL Alliance Meeting. This event, held in Pune, aimed to foster solidarity, peer learning, and strategic dialogue.
The session celebrated women’s achievements in male-dominated sectors and provided a platform for collectively charting a path forward. The meeting reaffirmed an important truth: when women unite, they do more than share stories—they build movements. These women are not just workers in traditionally male fields; they are changemakers, role models, and architects of a more inclusive future. Through solidarity, skill-building, and ongoing advocacy, they are paving the way for hundreds more to follow in their footsteps.
These women—drivers, security guards, mechanics, retail operators, and mall workers represent a growing movement of individuals who have challenged gender norms and redefined what women can do in the world of work. Most of them come from marginalized communities and have faced multiple layers of discrimination—economic, social, and gender-based. This meeting offered a rare space for them to reflect, connect, and build community.
A Space for Shared Experience and Empowerment
The meeting began with a round of introductions where each participant shared their journey into the non-traditional workforce. What emerged was a moving tapestry of courage—stories of escaping domestic violence, overcoming widowhood, resisting family opposition, and balancing unpaid care work with long shifts in male-dominated workspaces.
One young woman security guard shared:
“People used to laugh when I said I wanted to be in uniform. Today, I stand tall with a stable income and self-respect.”
Another woman working as a delivery assistant reflected:
“I had never touched a bike before. Today, I make 10 deliveries a day, and my daughter says she wants to be like me.”
The group identified key challenges they continue to face: lack of childcare support, workplace harassment, absence of restroom facilities, and delayed salary payments. But more importantly, they expressed a strong desire to organize, raise their voices collectively, and advocate for better working conditions and recognition.
Alliance in Action: Building Collective Power
The meeting also served as a platform to strengthen the emerging NTL Alliance—a collective of women in non-traditional workspaces who are coming together to support each other and push for systemic change. The women brainstormed ideas to formalize peer support mechanisms, initiate mentorship circles, and identify allies within the government, private sector, and civil society.
A key discussion focused on the importance of continued learning and leadership development. Participants expressed interest in training on workplace rights, financial literacy, and digital tools. They also discussed creating a shared communication channel—such as a WhatsApp group or monthly meet-up—to stay connected and informed.
Gender Lens: Redefining Roles, Reshaping Futures
The meeting is not merely a networking event—it is a political act of visibility and assertion. These women are challenging deep-rooted patriarchal structures by occupying spaces not traditionally assigned to them. Their very presence in security booths, driving seats, garages, and malls sends a powerful message: gender should never determine livelihood potential.
This alliance is also a response to the loneliness that many women feel in their non-traditional roles. As one participant said:
“It gets tiring being the only woman in a team of 15 men. Today, I know I’m not alone.”
Way Forward: Anchoring the Alliance
The meeting concluded with clear next steps:
- Formation of a core group to lead monthly alliance activities
- A calendar of peer-led learning sessions
- Mapping of government schemes and entitlements relevant to NTL women
- Identification of mentors among experienced NTL workers
The women left the meeting energized, supported, and committed to each other. As they walked out—not just as individual earners but as a collective force—the impact was unmistakable.
