Project presentation
Despite India’s significant economic growth, women workers from disadvantaged backgrounds face multiple forms of discrimination based on gender, caste, and social status, along with physical and economic violence. Whether working in construction, domestic work, or sanitation and waste collection, these women experience extremely low wages, no weekly rest or paid leave, lack of social security, long working hours (often more than 10 hours per day), and widespread violations of labor rights. They earn less than men and are frequently subjected to harassment and physical violence. Although protective laws exist, they are rarely enforced, and inequalities extend to private life and society more broadly.
Frères des Hommes (FdH) and its Indian partner Fedina implement a project in Bangalore to promote the rights of women workers in construction, domestic work, and waste management, sectors dominated by women and highly prone to labor abuses. The project provides training on labor and women’s rights, legal support, and collective action opportunities. Retired women are also supported in claiming their pension rights.
The project is structured around several key actions: raising awareness of women’s rights through weekly visits to workplaces or public spaces; organizing women into subgroups and committees for collective problem-solving, mediation, and legal support; providing weekly training on leadership, labor rights, and domestic violence; establishing a platform for isolated domestic workers to network and share solutions; and mobilizing collective actions and inter-sectoral meetings to strengthen advocacy. Vigilance groups of trained volunteers will conduct evening patrols to prevent domestic violence and direct victims to assistance.
