WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Breakthrough is a groundbreaking initiative of Development Organization of Rural (DOOR) that tackles gender-based violence at its core, aiming to deconstruct the cultural norms that breed inequality and discrimination. Furthermore it also expands it focus on empowering young women, aged 13 to 25, to become powerful agents of change within their own communities. Transforming Hearts and Minds: Early Intervention for Lasting Change Breakthrough recognizes the critical window of adolescence for shaping beliefs and behaviors. We reach nearly 500+ adolescents in schools and communities, implementing engaging programs that foster positive gender attitudes and leadership skills.exclamation Interactive workshops, discussions, and activities challenge traditional gender stereotypes and equip young people with the knowledge and tools to dismantle them. This early intervention approach aims to prevent the solidification of discriminatory behaviors before they take root.   Building Capacity for a Generation of Leaders Breakthrough goes beyond simply changing attitudes. We believe in equipping young people with the necessary skills to create a lasting impact. Our programs focus on building aspiration, leadership, agency, and negotiation skills. exclamation Through workshops, activities, and mentorship opportunities, young people learn to:   Set ambitious goals: We help them identify their aspirations and develop a roadmap to achieve them, fostering a sense of self-worth and empowerment. Take charge: We provide leadership training that hones their communication and decision-making skills, enabling them to confidently advocate for themselves and their peers. Own their choices: We equip them with agency, the ability to make informed decisions about their lives and challenge societal pressures that perpetuate gender inequality. Navigate challenges: We teach negotiation skills, allowing them to effectively communicate their needs and advocate for change within families, schools, and communities.  Creating an Enabling Environment: Breakthrough recognizes that sustainable change requires a multi-pronged approach. We work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to create an environment that fosters youth leadership and promotes gender equality. This includes:   Families and Communities: We engage with families and community leaders through workshops and discussions to foster understanding and support for young people’s initiatives. Frontline Workers: We collaborate with teachers, social workers, and other frontline workers to equip them with the knowledge and skills to identify and address gender-based violence in their communities.  A Commitment to Evidence-Based Interventions Breakthrough is committed to data-driven progress. exclamation We conduct rigorous evaluations of our programs to assess their effectiveness and continuously improve our approach. Our work has demonstrably contributed to: Delaying child marriage: Young women participating in our programs are statistically less likely to be married off early, allowing them to pursue their education and career aspirations. Increasing girls’ school enrollment rates: By addressing gender stereotypes and empowering girls to advocate for their education, we see a rise in the number of girls staying in school. Shifting attitudes and behaviors: Our campaigns, encompassing workshops, events, and media outreach, reach number of people across the Melghat. exclamation These campaigns foster positive change in attitudes and behaviors, promoting a culture of respect and equality. Breakthrough envisions a future where gender-based violence is a relic of the past, and young people, empowered and equipped with the tools for change, create a world where girls and women can thrive with dignity, equality, and justice. 

In the vibrant tapestry of Indian life, the voices of girls and women in tribal regions often go unheard, especially when it comes to mental health. Samvedana, a initiative started by Development Organization Of Rual (DOOR) is filled with empathy, seeks to address this silence. Heart of Samvedana initiative lies in its user-friendly space crafted with cultural sensitivity. Here, complex mental health issues are untangled, transforming into clear explanations of signs, symptoms, and coping mechanisms. This empowers girls, women, and their families with knowledge, replacing fear and stigma with understanding. But Samvedana doesn’t stop at awareness. It bridges the gap between those needing help and the support available. The website acts as a compass, providing a comprehensive directory of mental health professionals, support groups, and helplines specifically accessible within tribal regions. No longer will distance or lack of information be a barrier to seeking help. Samvedana understands the power of shared experiences. The website will be a platform for uplifting stories of girls and women who have embarked on their journeys to mental well-being with Samvedana’s support. These stories, shared with consent, will become beacons of hope, inspiring others to take that crucial first step towards healing. Samvedana goes beyond information and inspiration. It’s a call to action. The initiative of Development Organization of Rural (DOOR) provides a secure platform for individuals to become agents of change. Through donations and volunteer opportunities, everyone can be a part of the solution.   Samvedana’s initiative is more than just a collection of activities; it’s a web of hope woven with understanding, accessibility, and empowerment. It’s a space where girls and women in tribal communities can find the resources and support they deserve to reclaim their mental well-being and paint their lives in vibrant hues of hope and resilience.

Women empowerment program in melghat Women and girls have always been told what they can or cannot do, how they should behave, and what they can wear with little or no decision-making power over their bodies, choices, and lives. Young girls and women experience issues such as discriminatory practices, control over mobility with lack of access to public spaces, and gender norms reinforced through sociocultural interactions embedded within formal and informal institutions, throughout their lives. In order to ensure that women and girls are recognized as individual rights-bearers, challenge existing stereotypes, address negative discrimination, and are able to exercise control over their bodies and sexuality, Development Organization Of Rural (DOOR) designed a community-level intervention, My Body, My Voice program, with girls from all socio-economic background to work on issues of gender, sexuality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and women’s rights.Development Organization Of Rural (DOOR) has initiated direct work with adolescents and young girls in 2021.While working with girls Development Organization Of Rural (DOOR) have realized how sport can be used in a rights-affirming way to talk about restrictive social norms, sexuality, sexual and reproductive health, and rights. I am a fat girl. People have always teased me about my body, my weight, my clothes and my style. When I joined the IMB program, everyone said how can a fat girl play football. But, I didn’t give up. I stayed on and practiced. Today I want to tell everyone that I can play and do everything that others can and I am proud to be who I am.                                         ——–Vaishnavi Deshmukh, Melghat Maharashtra. Sports is a way to talk about sexual and reproductive health, and rights for two reasons: first, it breaks gender stereotypes around who can and should play sports, and second, it can be used as an effective and fun medium to initiate a conversation with girls about sensitive yet important topics of mobility (accessing a public space in order to play sports), bodily autonomy, choice (what sport to play, where to play it, what to wear), consent, and pleasure (do I enjoy playing sports? Why do I enjoy it? what do I dislike about it?). These discussions then become starting points for deeper conversations around sexuality and rights. Development Organization Of Rural also works with the parents and families of the girls enrolled in the program and other stakeholders in their communities to create a supportive and enabling environment for the girls to exercise their rights. Participants of the program also create sustainable support systems by working collaboratively with older cohorts to guide the younger girls in their respective locations.