Human
Dignity
Forum

"Wake up, women!" is how the name of the Indian organization Jagori translates. It has shaped the women's rights movement in India for nearly 30 years. Based in India's capital New Delhi, the organization's 19 female staff use sophisticated PR techniques to give women in India a voice and make lasting improvements to women's position in Indian society. The action they take includes campaigns, publications, the protection of women's rights and gender equality, training courses, workshops and advice for women and girls who are victims of sexual harassment and violence. Jagori aims to reach out to women throughout the country and mobilize them to stand up for their rights.

One of Jagori’s current initiatives is the “Safe Delhi Campaign” to improve the safety of women in the Indian capital. Many women are afraid to walk around the city by themselves, especially after dark and on less busy roads. Together with the municipal government and in cooperation with UNIFEM and UN Habitat, Jagori has therefore surveyed women and girls to ask where they experience harassment and discuss what to do about it. According to the survey, the problems lie mainly in the poor infrastructure, lack of street lighting and public toilets, as well as drug and alcohol abuse in public parks. Jagori is working on solutions for better urban planning and design of public spaces. The aim for the future is for women in New Delhi to feel safe while traveling around the city.

After the recent horrifying rape cases in New Delhi, which triggered a widespread public debate on women’s rights in India and beyond, Jagori’s programs and the experience of its staff are in more demand than ever. Jagori recently trained 3,800 bus drivers in the capital to make them more aware of violence against women so they can help in an emergency. Telephone hotlines have also been set up.

Suneeta Dhar und Kalpana Viswanath run the organization. Both women have been tireless campaigners for women’s rights over many years. They have managed to address broad swathes of the public with vivid publications and well-designed courses.