Top 10 NGO's Working For Women Empowerment

Non-governmental organizations in India have increased rapidly over the past 10 years. These organizations have been providing support to those in need, which has allowed them to have hope and a reason to stay alive. Numerous individuals have put their time and effort into making sure that these organizations operate in different regions of the country. Women's rights are an important area of focus for a number of such organizations. Here are ten such NGOs that are engaged in this sector.

1. SEWA 

In 1972, Ela Bhatt formed the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in Gujarat. Initially started out as a union, SEWA has since gained worldwide recognition. Their main aim is to empower women by providing them a distinct identity as informal laborers. What's more, they strive to promote women workers' rights and to use nonviolent methods of protest. A few of their organizations include SEWA bank, SEWA movement, and SEWA Bharat. At present, the association boasts of having 1.9 million women members standing up proudly for their rights.

2. Snehalaya 

Snehalaya was founded in 1989 in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra and is dedicated to helping those in poverty, particularly women, children, and LGBT individuals. This NGO works to combat HIV/AIDS and put an end to trafficking while also providing resources such as sanitary products, a place to create and sell art, and language lessons.

3. NEN: North East Network

NEN was created in Beijing in 1995 as part of the World Conference on Women. Its mission is to promote gender justice, equality, and human rights, and it services areas including giving gender-related budgetary allocations and guaranteeing the safety of females in war-torn areas. It operates in the North Eastern states of India, such as Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.

4. Azad Foundation

The Azad Foundation is devoted to helping deprived women in urban India who suffer from any form of mistreatment. The Foundation strives to give them a life of respect and autonomy. Women who attend the Foundation undergo a six-month program which includes topics such as self-awareness, self-defence, sexual and reproductive rights, and more. Recently, they have combined forces with Sakha, a female-run taxi service for female clients in cities.

5. CREA

Established in the year 2000 in New Delhi, CREA is a feminist human rights organization which works to fight oppressive norms and carries out initiatives to boost self-confidence, increase sexual knowledge and cultivate leadership skills among women. It is affiliated with the International Women’s Organization in the global south.

6. Centre for Social Research (CSR) 

A conglomerate of social scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru University started CSR in 1983 in New Delhi with the goal to bring about a non-violent, gender equitable society through social research, capacity building, and promotion. It works at all levels—local, regional, and national—to create more adequate gender equality systems.

7. Vimochana 

Vimochana is an activist organization based in Bangalore, established in 1979. They provide a platform for women's rights and Angala, part of Vimochana, offers employment to women who approach them. Additionally, Vimochana assists mothers who cannot take care of their children by finding them a place in an orphanage, and they also provide medical aid to women in need.

8. Swaniti

Rwitwika Banerjee founded Swaniti to bridge the divide between people in local areas and those in government. Swaniti works with rural India and its female inhabitants to develop policies and mobilize government programs that will assist them. Their research on the ground consists of immersing themselves into rural life and comprehending the struggles faced.

9. MAKAM

MAKAM (Mahila Kissan Adhikar Manch) is dedicated to defending the interests of female farmers who lack land ownership. It is active in 24 states across India, with the ultimate goal of providing women with access to sustainable sources of livelihood, such as land, so that they can be self-sufficient and autonomous.

10. Janodaya

In 2017, Janodaya celebrated 30 years of working towards the social and economic advancement of women. Their mission is to improve the lives of disadvantaged women and ex-convicts. To do so, they teach women various life skills and strive to find equitable legal solutions through mutual agreement.