Empowerment within society and legal safeguards

Sixteen per cent of girls in India are married before reaching 18, exposing them to heightened risks of violence and poverty.

We endeavour to change mindsets that tolerate child marriage, gender-based violence, and the reluctance to seek justice, stemming from undervaluing the girl child, a complex legal system, and social stigma. A mere 4.2% of married women facing violence in India pursue legal action, while dedicated services to address such violence are frequently inaccessible.

Our community-led approach empowers girls to lead transformative change towards a society free from child marriage. Legal aid services facilitate survivors of violence in asserting their rights. This initiative combines SHE’s two rights-based programs: Human Rights and Legal Services, and the Community Empowerment Programme.

Numerical data

70,000

girls are mobilized through 2,600 girl brigades to combat child marriage.

506,574

women leaders actively working to prevent gender-based violence and promote rights in rural areas.

USD 15.32 million

was successfully recovered through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and courts in favor of clients.

How we contribute

Establishing girl brigades and delivering life skills training

We empower girls through grassroots organization and life skills training, elevating their aspirations and enhancing their overall well-being.

Involving the community in efforts to combat child marriage

Our community engagement strategy involves raising awareness, garnering parental support, and educating community leaders to prevent child marriage.

Increasing awareness and enhancing capabilities

Customized social and behavior change communication along with capacity-building initiatives to enhance social awareness and encourage action against child marriage.

Implementing novel strategies to mitigate child marriage

Providing conditional cash transfers and livelihood support based on needs to parents of girls living in vulnerable conditions.

Legal assistance services

Offering legal advice and counselling, alternative dispute resolution, and court case support for survivors of violence.

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Advocacy at national and local levels grounded in evidence

Implementing randomized controlled trials to generate evidence for reinforcing national and local systems. This is done through advocacy initiatives aimed at addressing child marriage and addressing shortcomings in legal aid.

Utilizing action drama and community radio to enhance information accessibility

Utilizing popular theatre and community radio to disseminate information on socioeconomic issues, including rights, entitlements, gender-based violence, and harmful practices.

Our approach

Girls' Empowerment Initiative

There are 3,500 girls groups established across India, providing a platform for girls to actively combat child marriage and realize their potential.

Legal assistance centers

350 clinics are offering free legal support to survivors of gender-based violence and individuals living

Interactive theatre

Engaging 3,500 local folk artists and 270 community theatre groups to raise awareness and disseminate information in local dialects.

Building alliances and fostering cooperation

Collaborating with government agencies, various advocacy platforms and coalitions, and SHE’s programs to empower girls, ensure multi-sectoral services, and facilitate access to justice for survivors of violence.

The reasons for its effectiveness

An approach driven by community and girls' leadership

Empowering girls to cultivate self-confidence and acquire life skills, enabling them to assume leadership roles.

Educational content conveyed through entertaining storytelling

Fosters the tradition of storytelling to raise awareness through popular theatre shows and community radio broadcasts.

Making legal information and services readily available within the community

Extends support to the doorsteps of survivors of violence by providing free legal advice, alternative dispute resolution, and case support based on individual needs

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CONTACT

For any queries related to SHE’s Ultra-Poor Graduation work in India, please contact: info@shieldhumanempowerment.com