Sakar Ngo

Social Action for Knowledge Building and Awareness Raising (SAKAR) was established through extensive deliberations by co-founders Ms. Nitika Pant and Ms. Shilpi Agarwal. Located in Bareilly, central-western Uttar Pradesh, SAKAR is strategically positioned to address regional issues. Despite numerous organizations, a lack of initiatives against violence towards women and girls prompted our intervention. Bareilly's connectivity to Lucknow and Delhi enhanced our networking opportunities. Starting in January 2006, we launched consciousness-raising campaigns, forming women's groups and literacy centers. We expanded to marginalized groups, addressing specific challenges, facilitating remedial classes for children in 10 villages. With backing from Action Aid and SDTT, we focused on women's literacy and leadership, establishing Mahila Shakti Sangathan, empowering Dalit and minority women to engage in panchayat elections and combat issues like domestic violence and early marriage. We also began working with adolescent girls, focusing on sexual and reproductive health rights, sports, mobility, public space access, and education rights. Despite initial hurdles, sports, notably football, gained wide acceptance among girls in every village we worked in. As of 2024, our work spans 40 villages, impacting approximately women and girls. Mahila Shakti Sangathan, our community-based organization, comprises around 2,500 women. We collaborate with 800 adolescent girls, nearly 200 service providers, and other stakeholders. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our initiatives to cover five blocks in the district. Vision: A Society Based on Pillars of Knowledge, Awareness, Justice, and Gender Equity Mission: 1. Collectivize and build leadership of women and girls on the issues of health and education, socio-political empowerment, and gender equity. Economic empowerment through sustainable livelihoods with Gender perspective.