Mobilizing women’s groups in the Varanasi slums and Village

Women groups have been formed in 10 communities in part of Varanasi. They take action on behalf of women experiencing violence or exploitation, sometime directly exerting community pressure and sometimes referring cases to SARC. One of the groups is now empowered enough to approach police department to report cases. These groups create favorable environment for women so that they can speak out about violence and get support. While this does not entirely prevent violence, it effectively impacted several cases of violence against women, which were successfully solved in the earlier stage itself. The groups serves as a big support system for women who are pursuing legal cases. Recently one of the group dealt with a trafficker effectively who already preyed more than 20 women and girls. He got in contact with one of a girl who was in touch with the women’s group and he was lured in a trap set by the women group. Once he was caught, the group informed the police and the trafficker got arrested. The women’s groups also tackle other issues, such as the right to food, public distribution systems and right to education.