Pune: Swamini Lady Bouncers, a Pune based bouncer group of 49 women trained in self-defense provide security to girls and ensure safety by tackling Rowdies at events, clubs and other activities. The group was nearly 18 months ago in concern with increasing crime against women.
The ladies took upon themselves and decided to be protectors to ensure safety of females. The was started by Amita Kadam, 29, a graduate and mother of a 12-year-old boy who stays with her family in Pune’s Janata Vasad, Parvati. She got married at the age of 18 and assists her husband in his laundry business. Kadam, is inspired by Salman Khan and had always been fascinated by the work bouncers did, especially considering there was one in the family — her sister’s husband Swapnil Taru.
She was supported by her husband to fulfill her dream of becoming bouncers after she failed to acquire a job and that is how following her brother-in-law’s footsteps Swamini Lady Bouncers came into existence. According to Kadam , “Women’s safety has always been a concern… I had seen my brother-in-law be a bouncer and it fascinated me. It’s like a policeman’s job, isn’t it? I shared my thoughts with my husband, about how if there were women security guards, then why not women bodyguards. He spoke to Swapnil about it, and that’s how my journey started.
“The major issue was bringing women together to form groups and take the night duty. It was hard to convince their parents and their parents and husbands as it was odd working hours. However it came along, after 18 months we have 49 women (and counting) with us. Most of them are domestic help earning a measly amount every month. Now, they get anywhere between Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 per event”, added Kadam.
They were coached by M Bouncers, the company run by Yogesh Mankar and Ajit Indamdar. They also trained them in karate and other self-defense techniques.
The bouncer job has enabled women to break career and profession stereotypes as security services initially was an exclusive male profession. Secondly, it has increased the income sources of women making them independent. It is empowering to acquire skill sets in order to earn more. It is a new age of feminism, women standing for women in their own way.
Rekha Sutar used to earn roughly Rs 3,000 a month but now earns Rs 10,000 a month. 20-year-old Riku Jadhav, is on duty while taking up a college degree. This allows her to pay for college fees and other expenses.