Our Engagement

Introduction
JAGORI RURAL Charitable Trust is a grassroots feminist organisation based in Himachal Pradesh, India. Since 2002 JAGORI RURAL advances gender justice, youth leadership, women’s equality, and sustainable livelihoods. 

 

• Our mission is to create a just and equal society for all. In order to do this, we help address discrimination on gender, caste, religion, disability, and sexual identities. We want to strengthen the voices of women and girls and ensure people’s right to life and safety​

• Our approach: Understanding local context and community needs. Taking a holistic approach to personal well being and community resilience. Strive for inclusivity and social justice. Building local capacities and acknowledging community ownership. Be part of larger networks and work in partnership.​​

 

Girls and boys shape the future of their communities

In 2002, we started with a program for adolescent girls (​Aware Adolescent Girls Action for Justice - AGAJ) to build their confidence and their leadership skills. The program gradually expanded both in terms of locations, but also to include boys. The program was supported by a scholarship program (Himalayan Daughters Rise for Education - HDR) empowers girls from marginalised communities to pursue higher education. Recently e added another component (Craft your Future) to guide young adults through skills-building workshops focused on teaching craft skills.  ​​

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Women realise their potentials for a good life

At the centre of our work was always the fight against gender-based violence, injustices and discrimination. The Nari Adalats (women’s courts) and the powerful One Billion Rising campaign combined legal aid, community justice, and collective mobilisation. As a logical consequence we expanded the program later to include Health Education and access to Rights and Entitlements linking women and families to health and social services and government schemes, and encourage active participation in local governance (Panchayats). ​Our newest formation is a Elderly-Wellness-Center that provides direct services and counselling to under-served groups such as elders, persons with disabilities and survivors of violence and disasters.

 

Communities live in harmony with nature

​Early on we started to revive sustainable farming by restoring soil health, traditional seeds, and ecological balance (Sustainable Agriculture, Forest, and Land - SAFAL). This flew into a much larger program to create inclusive, self‑reliant, green livelihoods by introducing new skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, strengthening women’s Self-Help-Groups (SHG) and registering Farmer-Producer-Organisations (FPO). In 2023, when communities served by JAGORI RURAL were heavily affected by floods and landslides, we decided to further expand to prepare high‑risk villages in Himachal for extreme weather and climate change.