The Role of NGO in empowering children and women: A case study of ‘SHAKTI SADAN’ Cachar, Assam

Abstract

Women and children are crucial to a prosperous society, promoting social transformation and cultural progress. Empowering women and ensuring children’s well-being promote sustainable development, poverty reduction and a more just and prosperous community. However, despite their crucial role, they continue to face numerous challenges related to discrimination and inequality, gender-based violence, lack of education and healthcare, social stigma and barriers. Organizations like- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Non-profit organizations (NPOs) make a crucial contribution in promoting social, cultural, educational, political and economic empowerment, especially for disadvantaged groups such as women and children. This article examines the importance and effect of Shakti Sadan in empowering these groups. Shakti Sadan works as an Integrated Relief and Rehabilitation Home for women and children facing affliction, distress and challenging circumstances. It provides necessary services such as shelter, food, clothing, counseling and primary healthcare, together with vocational training and social security benefits to help women overcome misfortune. Shakti Sadan is an integrated scheme that merges Swadhar Greh, which supports women in difficult situations and Ujjawala, which focuses on preventing trafficking. It operates under the Mission Shakti program, an umbrella initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development aimed at ensuring women's safety, security and empowerment addressing issues across all stages of a woman’s life and empowering them to become competent partners in nation-building. This study is based on a case study of the NGO Shakti Sadan, located in Silchar, Cachar, Assam.