Build unity so that oppressed and marginalised women lead lives with equality, freedom, dignity, violence-free, and discrimination-free in society
Our Initiatives
Nurturing collective leadership among women
Building collective leadership among women is one of our primary objectives. We believe that this can empower women to access their rights and entitlements for dignified living
Strengthening public health system and improving women’s health
We work with the local healthcare facilities through women collectives to strengthen this system and improve accessibility of healthcare services.
Citizen participation and strengthening public systems
Raising the political and critical consciousness of the women is of utmost importance in order to question the status quo and for women to be able to completely participate in the public systems
Addressing violence
We build the capacity of women and women collectives to recognise violence and respond to it.
Financial independence
We run a co-operative bank owned entirely by the women labourers in the unorganised sector and other marginalised women in Davanagere who have formed self-help groups.
Education
We engage with children and facilitate their education and learning as we believe in Dr B R Ambedkar’s philosophy of education being a way to attain dignity, progress, independence, raise consciousness, and fight oppression.
Our Impact
“A leader is someone who will understand the needs of fellow humans. Someone who can appreciate people who help others and recognise them. A good leader encourages everyone to voice out their opinion whether right or wrong. If there is any form of injustice that is happening, either to me or to other fellow women, be it regarding beedi work or otherwise, then I speak up. I used to notice whenever any injustice happened in the neighbourhood and had the urge to speak. But had some hesitancy. Now there’s no hesitancy. I speak up whatever happens. I feel like I have the capacity to speak up to people, be it at home, at Sanghatan (Union) or anywhere.
If all women come together and raise their voices, we can do anything!”
– Nageena Banu, Executive committee member of Neralu Beedi Workers’ Union and member President of Mehnath Muslim Mahila Alpasankyathara Souharda Sahakari Niyamita (Cooperative Bank)
“मैं ज़िन्दगी में बहुत टूटी हूँ। अभी और टूटना नहीं चाहती हूँ। संघटन के सात रहकर और निखरना चाहती हूँ। दुसरे औरत के हक़ केलिए लड़ना भी चाहती हूँ।”
(I have been broken a lot in life. I don’t want to be broken any more. I want to shine more by being with the Sanghatan. I also want to fight for the rights of other women.)
“Here in the Sanghatan, we speak more about women’s rights, our problems. And women in the Sanghatan don’t think of it as my pain, they think of it as their pain and understand it like that and give moral support. When we had gone to an exposition last, one of the nights we discussed a lot about my life. I felt like my family members were with me. I could see my pain in them and that they could feel my pain. That felt good..
Women should live independently..And we have to fight for our rights, be it at home, or outside. It’s not like women can’t fight. Women can also fight and should fight for her rights. If the country should be better, if lives have to be better, we will have to fight”
Noor Fathima, part of Dalit and Muslim Mahila Okkoota reflects on violence in her life and against women in general and speaks about the power of women’s collective in fighting against it. Read more of what she has to share here.
Contribute
Donate
Support us by donating – UPI ID: 8722959678@axl We are a trust registered under section 80G of Income Tax Act.
Your contribution will directly support our work in strengthening women collectives and building women leadership for leading dignified lives.
Volunteer with us
It takes a community to build a better and just world!
So we would be grateful and welcome you if you’re interested in contributing to our work with your time and efforts. Please write to us on: karibasappahaveri914@gmail.com and we shall get back to you.