Our History
JAGORI RURAL Charitable Trust, based in Himachal Pradesh, India, is a grassroots feminist organization that has been advancing gender justice, inclusive development, and sustainable livelihoods since 2002. Jagori works closely with rural women, farmers, youth, and marginalized communities to address violence against girls and women, challenge systemic discrimination, and build leadership while improving access to government entitlements.
The organization was founded with a vision to build a just and equitable society, focusing on addressing all forms of discrimination - especially those based on gender, caste, class, sexual orientation, religion, disability and any other
Jagori began its journey with just 12 girls and initially worked in 25 villages. Over the years, it has expanded its outreach to 250 villages across Kangra and Chamba districts, impacting the lives of over 100,000 people. The Trust’s work is rooted in feminist values, non-violence, and simplicity, with a special focus on empowering women and young girls from marginalized communities.
Jagori’s approach is intersectional and holistic, combining sustainable agriculture, livelihoods, health & wellbeing, education & training with gender justice. The organization is known for its creative and participatory methods, including community leadership training, livelihood workshops, and awareness campaigns. Jagori’s team is largely composed of members from the local communities it serves, ensuring that its programs are grounded in local realities and needs.
Today, Jagori is recognized for its efforts in promoting gender equality, sustainable development, and community resilience in the two districts of Himalayan region, working in partnership with local and national stakeholders.
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Abha Bhaiya
Founder, Jagori and Jagori Rural Charitable Trust
Abha Bhaiya, born in Jaipur in 1947, is a pioneering feminist activist whose work has shaped grassroots movements across India and South Asia. Trained in philosophy and social work, with further studies in Germany, she co-founded Jagori in Delhi and later Jagori Rural in Himachal Pradesh. Her activism spans feminist pedagogy, rural organizing, and ecological sustainability, with a focus on women’s health, bodily integrity, and the rights of single women. Abha’s leadership has touched over 250 villages, and her creation of the JAGORI Campus reflects her commitment to lived feminist praxis. As India’s coordinator for One Billion Rising, she has amplified global campaigns against gender-based violence.
Our Founder Trustees
Dr. Barbara Nath-Wiser
Founder, Nishtha Rural Health, Education & Environment Centre
Dr. Barbara Nath-Wiser, also born in 1948 in Austria, arrived in India through her interest in yoga and classical music. A trained medical doctor with expertise in homeopathy and acupuncture, she settled in Rakkar, Himachal Pradesh, and co-founded Nishtha in 1998 alongside Abha Bhaiya and others. Nishtha evolved from a small dispensary into a holistic rural health and education centre, offering herbal remedies, outreach services, and support for women and children. Barbara’s work is grounded in ecological design and community trust, and she has been recognized internationally for her contributions to social service.
Kamla Bhasin
Feminist Thinker, Poet, and Founding Member of Sangat and Jagori
Kamla Bhasin (1946–2021), born in Shaheedanwali, Punjab, was one of South Asia’s most influential feminist thinkers. With a background in development sociology and early work in rural Rajasthan, Kamla became known for translating feminist theory into accessible, creative formats—through poems, slogans, and training modules. She co-founded Jagori and Sangat, mentoring generations of activists across borders. Her iconic poem “Kyunki main ladki hoon, mujhe padhna hai” and her reinterpretation of “Azadi” became rallying cries for gender equality. Kamla’s life was a testament to radical hope, intersectional solidarity, and the joyful power of feminist resistance.
MY Journey
We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
Jagori Rural Campus
Jagori Rural Campus: A Space for Reflection, Renewal, and Connection
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Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, the Jagori Rural Campus stands as a sanctuary for learning, healing, and transformation.
Over the years, it has welcomed countless feminist retreats, youth orientations, multi-country trainings, workshops and yoga sessions — each rooted in the spirit of solidarity and growth.
Founded on the timeless values of equity, mutual respect, and compassion, the campus offers much more than just a retreat.
Spread across 0.8 hectares of natural beauty, it features artistically designed cottages that blend comfort with creativity, offering an environment that nurtures both body and soul.
Here, guests find space to pause, reflect, and reconnect — with themselves, with others, and with nature.
The campus delights visitors with wholesome, locally inspired meals, and the dedicated Jagori team ensures that every experience — even the most spontaneous — is met with warmth and efficiency.
Whether you seek solitude, inspiration, connection or collective renewal, Jagori Rural Campus invites you to experience a retreat that is as transformative as it is peaceful.
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