It was after walking out of an abusive marriage in 2013 that Hyderabad designer, Divya Reddy, decided to help other women become self-dependent. The organization, Her Right, currently works with 50 women prisoners in Chanchalguda jail, each serving life sentence. They are trained in stitching and their finished products are showcased at fashion shows, exhibitions. Each dress not just has the Her Right label, but also the maker’s signature.
The money from the sale each cost between Rs 500 and Rs 6,500 is put back into the organisation. Since the inmates are not interested in being paid in cash and instead want to meet their children as prize for their labour Reddy arranges these visits every month.
She also provides for the travel and all other expenditures. Going forward the designer wants to support these women when they step into the real world again as she feels that it is important for them to be able to join the mainstream. She plans to employ them and support them till they are completely independent. Reddy also wants to take this project to other prisons.
