Project – “Empower Her” Women and Adolescent Girls Empowerment
Project Summary
In Nagwa block, Sonbhadra, our project empowers girls and young women across 10 villages to combat discrimination and violence. By forming groups, we unite approximately 1200-1300 adolescent girls and women, enhancing their knowledge of rights, health, and entitlements. We re-enroll out-of-school girls in local schools and train 40-50 leaders to guide their peers.
Through weekly meetings, trainings on gender equality, leadership, and menstrual hygiene, and community events like kishori melas and sports, we foster confidence and mobility. By engaging with families, we work to prevent child marriage and early pregnancy. Additionally, we connect these groups with local governance to advocate for their needs and access welfare schemes.
This initiative is a step towards a future where every girl and woman in Nagwa block can live with dignity, education, and opportunity.
Empowering Girls and Women in Nagwa Block, Sonbhadra
In the heart of Sonbhadra, within the 10 villages of Nagwa block, a powerful movement is taking shape. Here, girls and young women are coming together to challenge the discrimination and violence that have long shadowed their lives. Our project is dedicated to supporting them, providing the tools, knowledge, and community they need to thrive.
Our Mission
We believe that every girl and woman deserves the right to education, health, and a life free from violence. Our mission is to:
- Unite and Educate: Bring together approximately 1200-1300 adolescent girls and women in collectives, where they can learn about their rights, health, and entitlements.
- Reclaim Education: Identify and re-enroll every out-of-school girl in local schools, ensuring they have the opportunity to learn and grow.
- Cultivate Leaders: Train a cohort of 40-50 girls and women to become leaders who can inspire and support their peers.
- Access Resources: Improve access to essential welfare schemes and services, such as ration, pension, and health programs.
How We Work
Our approach is rooted in community and empowerment:
- Group Formation and Training: We mobilize girls and women into groups, holding weekly meetings and orientation sessions. These gatherings are spaces for learning about gender equality, leadership, menstrual hygiene, and more.
- Community Engagement: Through exposure visits, kishori melas (girls’ fairs), sports activities, and community dialogues, we encourage girls and women to step out, speak up, and engage with their communities.
- Advocacy and Support: We connect these groups with local governance bodies like panchayats and school management committees, empowering them to voice their concerns and advocate for their rights.
- Family Involvement: By working with families, we address issues like child marriage and early pregnancy, fostering a supportive environment for girls and women.
Impact and Vision
Our project is more than a series of activities; it’s a journey towards transformation. We envision a future where:
- Every girl in Nagwa block is educated and empowered.
- Women lead with confidence and are respected in their communities.
- Discrimination and violence are relics of the past.
| No. Of GP | 10 |
| No. Of Village | 20 |
| Geographical Coverage | Nagawa Block |
| Social Group | SC/ST/OBC/Minority |
New Area for Coverage of Gram Panchayat and Village
| Sl.No. | Gram Panchayat | Village |
| 1. | Chakaya | Piyari |
| 2. | Chakaya | Bichiya |
| 3. | Deveri may Devara | Devari May Devara |
| 4. | Saraigarh | Sarigarh |
| 5. | Saraigarh | Piparadeeh |
| 6. | Gotibaandh | Gotibaandh |
| 7. | Gotibaandh | Domariya |
| 8. | Sikarwar | Sikarwar |
| 9. | Sikarwar | Sadshot |
| 10. | Sikarwar | Shikarpur |
Old Area for Coverage of Gram Panchayat and Village
| Sl.No. | Gram Panchayat | Village |
| 1. | Baradand | Baradand |
| 2. | Kajiyari | Kajiyari |
| 3. | Kajiyari | Vishrampur |
| 4. | Kajiyari | Tenudahi |
| 5. | Nagawa | Nagawa |
| 6. | Baanki | Baanki |
| 7. | Baanki | Kodai |
| 8. | Baanki | Siyarinya |
| 9. | Panikab Khurd | Baliyari |
| 10. | Panikab Khurd | Parsauniya |
No of Group in Field Area
| Sl.No. | Gram Panchayat Name | Group | |||||
| Adolescent Group | No of Girls | Women Group | No of Women | Peer Leader Group | No of Girls | ||
| 1. | Chakaya | 04 | 30 | 04 | 30 | 01 | 04 |
| 2. | Devari May Devara | 04 | 30 | 04 | 30 | 01 | 04 |
| 3. | Saraigarh | 04 | 30 | 04 | 30 | 01 | 02 |
| 4. | Shikarwar | 06 | 30 | 06 | 30 | 01 | 04 |
| 5. | Gotibaandh | 04 | 30 | 04 | 30 | 01 | 02 |
| Total | 22 | 150 | 22 | 150 | 05 | 16 | |
| Sl.No. | Gram Panchayat Name | Group | |||||
| Community Based Organization | No of Women/Men | People Organization | No of Women/Men | Youth Group | No of Girls/Boys | ||
| 1. | Baradand | 01 | 20/25 | – | – | 01 | 04/11 |
| 2. | Kajiyari | 01 | 22/23 | – | – | 01 | 05/15 |
| 3. | Nagawa | 01 | 20/25 | – | – | 01 | 02/13 |
| 4. | Baanki | 01 | 21/24 | – | – | 01 | 06/14 |
| 5. | Panikab Khurd | 01 | 25/20 | – | – | 01 | 04/16 |
| Total | 05 | 225 | 01 | 250 | 05 | 90Suc | |
Success Stories
Title: Radhika’s Journey to Financial Stability
Initiative for Change: Group Leader “Durga Devi”
Village: Devri May Devara
Block/District: Nagwan, Sonbhadra
Introduction: Radhika, wife of the late Jai Prakash Vishwakarma, aged 40, is a resident of Devri May Devara village. She became a widow at the young age of 25 when her husband passed away due to a prolonged illness. Her family consists of three children—one daughter and two sons—and her father-in-law. Jai Prakash used to support the family through daily wage labor, but after his death, the responsibility of raising her children and caring for her father-in-law fell on Radhika’s shoulders.
Challenges: After her husband’s death, Radhika’s life became extremely challenging. The family owned very little agricultural land, leaving them without a stable source of income. To make ends meet, Radhika stepped out of her home and began farming on leased land while also taking up tailoring work. Whatever little she earned from these efforts was used to sustain her family. However, raising her children and managing household expenses was far from easy, and she felt emotionally broken. Over time, her elder son started working, which provided some relief, but financial struggles persisted.
Radhika sought help from many people to apply for a widow pension and approached village heads (pradhans) with requests, but no one paid heed to her plight. Several pradhans came and went, but her situation remained unchanged.
Intervention: A turning point in Radhika’s life came when the group leader, Durga Devi, recognized her struggles. Durga Devi had attended a training program by a local organization, where she learned about government schemes and the application process. Using this knowledge, she decided to assist Radhika. Durga Devi worked with Radhika to prepare the widow pension application and ensured all necessary documents were submitted. Her dedication and proper guidance led to the successful processing of the application.
Outcome: Thanks to Durga Devi’s efforts, Radhika’s widow pension application was approved, and she began receiving the pension from January. This regular income improved her family’s financial condition. Radhika is now better able to care for her children and father-in-law, and she feels a sense of relief and hope for the future. She is happier and more content than before.
Conclusion: Radhika’s story highlights the importance of community support and proper guidance. By leveraging the knowledge gained from her training, Durga Devi not only helped Radhika secure her rightful pension but also instilled new hope in her life. This case underscores the need to train and empower local leaders to support the marginalized sections of society. Radhika’s hard work, resilience, and Durga Devi’s assistance together created an inspiring example of positive change.
