I am 26 years old Shabnam (Name changed), married to my second husband Azad(Name changed), who is 46 years old, having 3 sons from a previous marriage. I have a young daughter, a 2-year-old from my deceased husband. I was often called the ‘stepmother’ by my sons., I received no respect nor my due share for the work I was doing as a mother of the 3 sons. On top of it all, I faced physical violence almost on a daily basis by family members. I felt cramped, had no one to share my feelings with, and no place to feel free. I got a ray of hope, when the Mahila panchayat didis, from the Janta Mazdoor colony, came to Kacchi Khajuri for their one-on-one. When they gave me information about the work they do, I thought of reaching out to them. One fine day, garnering all the strength I went to the JMC Mahila Panchayat, and told the didis my story. They held my hand and supported me, giving me the courage that everything will be alright and I will have a better life. One day my husband and my children were called to the Mahila Panchayat and were counselled thoroughly; the didis first counselled me and my husband, and then they spoke to my sons in private and counselled them to realise my importance and respect in the family. The process took time, but eventually, I got my respect. The breakthrough for me was when during one of the regular follow up by the didis, my elder son said that “I had a preconceived notion on how a step-mother is, but because of aunties in JMC panchayat, coming to our house and talking to me, I changed my notion”. I am now and forever will be indebted to the JMC Mahila Panchayat, for bringing my family together, now even my infant daughter, who was initially raised in my natal home, is staying with her new family. I thank the JMC panchayat for their support and such forums should be everywhere to enable women to lead a normal life.

After the training in Local – Self Governance- Community initiative story, the ‘Garima’ community leader group of Dharampura took the initiative to ‘create safe space and environment for all. Along with physical violence, the environment also affects women adversely. If the facilities like clean toilets, clean water, and properly lit galis are not provided to her, a woman feels emotionally distressed and faces psychological violence, hence creating tensions all around her. In order to create ‘violence-free zones’ we provided training to the community group to take action. The provisions of the same are provided in the 74 th Amendment, enabling the leadership to create a conducive environment for all to live with dignity and free from fear of violence. The participants were the residents residing in the E/10 Seelampur area. During training, they identified the local issues that were affecting the entire community, like- narrow and dingy lanes, which become even smaller with the clogged drain that drains dirty water into the houses of that area. The dirt, the smell, and the filth increased the chances of diseases and frequent hospitalizations. Because of the huge gaps in the drains and no or dim lighting, children often fell in the drain and hurt themselves. Because of the lack of electricity/ light, many women and children passing by would often fall prey to heinous crimes. A six-member representative delegation comprising the community women decided to address these issues and took matters into their own hands by preparing a collective document and presenting it to the concerned authority (MCD). The MCD official paid attention to concerns and promised to rectify the issue within 1 month of submitting their request letter. This enhanced confidence, and respect of the leaders within the community. Hence proving that collective actions can bring about change. Although it is a small change yet it’s a start, as the saying goes “well begun is half done”. Similar stories of change were witnessed in Sundarnagri, Seemapuri, and other hubs which addressed the issues of water and sanitation.

Afsana is the epitome of what Action India’s efforts with the home workers strives to achieve. She is one of the bead workers who produces for the exporter. She excelled in sampling designs and soon became a group leader. As the independent marketing of their new products sold at the Dastkar Bazaar, we saw how she interacted with the city buyers and soon learned to maintain accounts. She has taken the risk of annoying the patriarchs of her very orthodox community and the wrath of her in-laws, who called her a bad woman for stepping out of the “chalk circle,” by travelling to Dastkar bazaars in other major metropolises. Besides her work with Agaaz, she also manages 22 Self-help Groups in Salai Gaon and negotiates loans with the Cooperative Bank and SBI for SHG members. Not only has she proven to be a dedicated young business woman, as a single mother, she took her daughter’s education into her own hands, sending her to an English Medium School in Hapur City and defying the orthodox norms of her religion and her village. Afsana only had the benefits of primary school education but her life’s achievements prove that women need access, opportunity, and a little bit of collective support to reach the sky.

Rajrani, a widow and mother of four, endured decades of domestic violence at the hands of her alcoholic husband. Despite working as an Anganwadi helper, she had no financial independence, as her husband and later her sons refused to contribute to household expenses. Her struggles continued even after her husband’s passing, leaving her financially and emotionally drained.
A turning point came when Kamala, a Mahila Panchayat member and her neighbour, encouraged her to take action. Rajrani approached Mahila Panchayat in 2011, where after hearings and intervention, her sons were made to provide her with financial support, and the domestic violence decreased.
However, her journey didn’t stop there. Drawn to the work of Mahila Panchayat, Rajrani became an active member, learning about gender rights, laws protecting women, and strategies to address domestic violence. When her own son, Anuj, abused his wife, Rajrani broke societal norms by supporting her daughter-in-law in filing a case. The intervention resulted in a transformed household—Anuj now shares domestic responsibilities, respects his wife’s autonomy, and supports her personal and professional endeavours.
Over 13 years, Rajrani has evolved into a pillar of support in her community. She now serves as a Dari Behan, a grassroots leader in Mahila Panchayat, handling case hearings, counselling survivors, following up on cases, and assisting women in police stations and medical emergencies.

My name is Munira and I am 19 years old. We are a family of four. My father works as a tailor. I had to leave my studies in 8th class due to various issues. With that my dream of becoming a doctor was also shattered. Somehow my family heard that girls were taught in a center in Seemapuri and told me about it. I was not keen at first but once I started my classes it made me truly happy. I liked the way things were taught, studies were mixed with sports and games. I also found people with whom I was comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings. I was not absent even for a day in the 18 month course. With the help of Action India’s PACE Centre, I managed to get a 50% scholarship to get admitted to 10th class. I was extremely scared about passing exams but Halima didi had full faith in me and she motivated me to work hard and give my best. I passed the exam and my father was so happy that he got me a scooty. Now I will take admission in Class 12 and simultaneously pursue nursing assistant and English speaking courses. I have also got a chance to work as a worker in PACE center for one month. This feels like a dream come true. As a kid, I used to play games where I would pretend to be a teacher and now this is part of my life.

Jyoti, is a 34-year-old proactive member of the Support Group from Ajit Nagar, who has been actively engaged with Action India since 2021. She has four school going sons and a husband working in a private job in Gandhi Nagar. Not only has she become a key advocate for women's rights, but she has also encouraged her son to join the youth group, fostering awareness and activism across generations.
Jyoti has played a crucial role in addressing public facility issues in her locality. She collaborated with local representatives, sanitation workers, and government officials to resolve problems affecting her community. Recently, when sanitation issues arose, she directly contacted the sanitation worker, ensuring the entire locality was cleaned.
Jyoti has also used her legal training to support family and community members. She acted boldly when her sister-in-law coerced her brother into a fraud marriage and threatened to falsely accuse Jyoti's mother. It was discovered that the woman had previously gotten into 12 fraudulent marriages with men, and that she would get a divorce within a few days of the wedding in return for a certain amount of money. Using her legal knowledge, Jyoti brought her mother's case before the Mahila Panchayat in an attempt to get justice. She was able to escalate the matter to the SDM Court under the Senior Citizen Act, ensuring legal protection
Impact: Beyond her personal efforts, Jyoti actively participates in Mahila Panchayat hearings and has been involved in two Mini Panchayat cases in Ajit Nagar. She listens to domestic violence cases, ensures survivors receive legal support, and helps them navigate the justice system. Through her persistent advocacy, legal knowledge, and problem-solving approach, Jyoti has emerged as a trusted leader in her community. Her ability to mobilize resources, engage with authorities, and empower others makes her a driving force for social change and justice in Ajit Nagar.

Shahid, a 16-year-old from a densely populated slum, grew up in a household where traditional gender roles were deeply ingrained. His father, an electrician earning ₹12,000 per month, and his mother, with limited education, managed the family of seven. His twin sister, Rehana, often faced subtle restrictions—on clothing, movement, and household responsibilities—reflecting the unspoken norms of their community. For the past three years, Shahid has been an active participant in Action India’s Youth and Men Engagement Program, which aims to challenge patriarchal customs and promote gender equality. Through interactive sessions, he learned about:
● Gender-based violence and its impact on women and society
● Substance abuse and its prevalence in his community
● Adolescence, sex education, and LGBTQ+ issues
● Safe and unsafe spaces and how to create a safer environment for women and girls
● importance of communication and fairness within the family, values he now upholds in all aspects of life.
Before joining the program, Shahid viewed domestic violence in his neighbourhood as a private matter between husbands and wives. After attending discussions on gender-based violence, he recognized it as a serious social issue and began calling out such behaviour. Participating in a debate on Dowry Prohibition Day further transformed his thinking. He learned about the dangers of dowry, including how it leads to violence and even bride killings, the importance of financial independence and rejecting dowry in marriage and became aware of his responsibility to ensure his sister’s marriage is free from dowry-related demands. Shahid also attended sessions on menstruation and gender roles, which changed his views on household responsibilities. He realized that housework is not just for women—men should equally participate. He learnt that women need rest during menstruation, and he began assisting his mother and sister with household chores. He also stopped restricting his sister’s clothing and mobility.
Inspired by the program, Shahid took an interest in sports, winning first prize in a cricket tournament and participating in a Kho-Kho competition. These achievements boosted his confidence and encouraged him to speak more openly within his family.
Impact: Shahid is no longer just a participant—he is a changemaker in his community. His actions have created a more equal and respectful home environment, encouraged his peers to reject traditions like dowry and made him a role model for other young boys, proving that small shifts in mindset can lead to bigger societal change. Through Action India’s Youth and Men Engage Program, Shahid has evolved into a champion for gender equality, ready to challenge patriarchal customs and inspire others to do the same.