The Sole Cause Narrative
The Sole Cause Narrative
Untapped women resources seeking dignified job opportunities, and two visionaries who were all about disrupting the shoemaking industry — seems like a perfect match. At least, with a duo of Mansi and Aparna, this is truer than anything.
On the surface, it will appear as if women are employed in abundance, but as one digs deeper, one gets to the know their perils to work everyday. Made to work on the fringes, playing a menial role in the production process and paid marginally less than what men earned.
The women workers in the shoe industry hail from impoverished backgrounds. They’ ve been physically and sexually abused, abandoned, and left to their own resources by alcoholic and uncaring husbands or fathers. Deprived of education, forced into child marriage, and simply treated like dirt by their in-laws.
Little did they know that they were about to change their destiny. Mansi’s large, world-class, shoe export house in Agra turned out to be a goldmine of opportunities where Mansi took it upon herself to train and upskill the women in making shoes.
The motive was clear: training the women in every aspect of the shoemaking process,making them privy to equal wages and helping them play an equally strong role in the production process as the men. In a short span of time, they were not only able to stand on their feet but also sustain their family with their labour and faith.
Mansi, an accomplished, self-made entrepreneur, single-handedly helms this factory, supplying over one million shoes a year to Europe.
As a woman entrepreneur, she sensed the need to train her women workforce when she heard their heartbreaking stories. She taught them to last, buff and finish a complete shoe with little male intervention. Today, these women work alongside their male counterparts, earning their well-deserved recognition and contributing wholeheartedly to their labour.
Her guiding light in this project is Aparna Rajawat, who’s not only a motivational speaker but also the founder of The Pink Belt Mission – a transformative initiative that has empowered 150,000 Indian women. Through self-defence training, education, and empowerment, this project has redefined safety for women in India. Notably, Hollywood director John McCrite is crafting a documentary about Aparna's remarkable journey, while a biography is also in the works, capturing her evolution from Uttar Pradesh's heartlands to a life in the United States.
The profound impact of Aparna's work is felt through every layer of The Sole Cause. With dreams that reach the stars, Mansi and Aparna envision a future where their factory becomes a training ground for hundreds of women, forever altering their destinies. A truth rings clear: empowering women empowers entire families.
Every woman that stands with Sole Cause today has a story to tell. Despite enduring past challenges, these women have emerged with newfound courage, embracing each day with renewed determination to build a brighter future. The least to say, is that the Sole Cause is harbouring a community of all such empowered women who’re now contributing a lion’s share to the shoe-making processes and strengthening the industry as a whole.
Uncovers her transformative journey from marital rape to single parenthood and defying societal pressures.
Today, as a single, earning parent I feel great that I am able to bring up my daughter and son equally. Even a tiny gesture like giving a glass of milk to both of them means the world to me.
A widow's resilience against sexual harassment, now successfully independent and educating her children.
Sole Cause has given me an opportunity to live with dignity and earn enough to educate not only my son but also my daughter. My life’s mission is to give both of them an equally good upbringing.
Unlocking the journey to self-confidence and empowerment.
Pink Soul has given me economic independence and the confidence to come to work dressed the way I like with no pressure to conform.