Building houses by joining bricks, mixing concrete and plastering have always been considered men's work. These manufacturing sectors have been considered male-dominated and male-dominated, but women's empowerment in Bihar has added a new chapter to this sector as well. The situation is rapidly changing with the emergence of women as 'Rani Mastri' like architects. Under Chief Minister Mr. Samrat Choudhary, many efforts are being made to empower Didis, giving them more priority and empowering them to become self-reliant. Recently, when dozens of women associated with Jivika groups took up Karni and Sahil (stoner's tools) in their hands, a change in the society took place. Today, more than 250 Jivaka Didis of the state are showcasing their skills through construction and plumbing work in the form of 'Toilet Clinics', but have also become an inspiration to neighboring states.
The 'Toilet Clinic' campaign was started in Muzaffarpur in 2024 by the Department of Rural Development with the support of UNICEF, which has now taken the form of a campaign. Due to special training in construction and plumbing work, Jiveka Didian is efficiently carrying out the works like P-trap, drainage pipe, proper slope of pipes, flush valves, connections, proper use of slits, under-sheet and P-trap gap construction and repair work, ventilation etc. They are also training women in neighboring states like Bengal and Jharkhand.
According to the Department of Rural Development, this Didi, who runs toilet clinics in various districts of the state, is popularly known as "Rani Mistry". Now she is not limited to cleaning, but also providing services in toilet connection technology, safety tank installation, retrofitting, as well as murta and other small and large construction works. This gives an additional income of 8-10 thousand rupees per month for every Jeevika Didi. Through their services, these women have not only challenged the male dominance in construction and plumbing, but have also pioneered a new path towards affordable and accessible services for the public.
According to officials of the Rural Development Department, new avenues of employment and economic empowerment have opened up for rural women engaged in masonry and plumbing work, who are known as Rani Mistry in the state. Minister of Rural Development and Information and Communication Department Mr. Sharun Kumar said that thanks to the foundation laid for Jeevika by former Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar a few years ago, our didis are now imparting skills to people in India and abroad. Skilled Jeevika Didi is not only engaged in construction and plumbing herself, but is also teaching these skills to skilled women making them financially self-reliant.