Bharatiya Stree Shakti
Founded in 1988, Bharatiya Stree Shakti is a voluntary, autonomous, apolitical organization committed to empowering women, families and the society at large.
We believe it requires collective effort to create a cohesive environment where every woman experiences dignity and freedom. It requires the active participation of women, men and families. In other words, it needs the entire society’s involvement through dialogue, action, compassion and cooperation. We understand this and see ourselves as enablers of a holistic, unbiased and inclusive approach to women empowerment.
Our activities focus on five key aspects or Panchsutri: Education & Skill Development, Mental & Physical Health, Self-respect, Financial Independence and Gender Equality. We address these aspects through our campaigns, surveys and research, workshops and training, events and festivals, seminars and conferences as well as personal and family counselling.
Our team members hail from various backgrounds, classes and sections of the society. We are professors, social workers, lawyers, home-makers, bankers, doctors, engineers, mental health experts and so on.
VISION
To reinstate the innate strengths, qualities and capacities of women; dignity and equal status of women in the family and society. We envisage a gender-just society ensuring eradication of discrimination at all levels and recognizing her contribution and role in family and nation-building.
MISSION
- To create a conducive environment befitting to empower women and to sensitize men
- To work together for equality, justice and action against exploitative compulsions, perpetuated by patriarchal social structures
- To reach out to the last woman who is at the bottom of the pyramid
REACH
Presently, we work in 10 states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh and Odisha. We have 30 branches, 5 NGOs affiliated with us, 10 counselling centres, 120 self-help groups and 20,000 members and volunteers who help us meet our goals. In addition:
- Our counselling centres have handled over 5000 cases so far.
- Two of our counselling centres are funded by Central Social Welfare Board, Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- We are official counsellors for select special cells attached to police stations in Maharashtra.
- We’ve reached over 5000 women through our Legal Awareness programmes.
- Our workshop “Kali Umaltana” – an adolescent age training – has empowered over 2 lakh girls
- We’ve conducted Gender Sensitization programmes for over 7000 teachers and students.
- We are on NGO Darpan’s, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth’s and the Mumbai Sheriff’s list of recommended NGOs.
- We are also registered with National Commission for Women.