Anubhuti Charitable Trust

18 years ago, the founder Deepa Pawar started working with young girls and women in the urban community she lived in in Mumbai, when she was herself 14. This was the beginning of her practice of collective, grassroot youth-led social change – the principle that those who face the problem should lead the fight against it. Further, values of feminism, anti-casteism, and those of the Indian Constitution informed her work as she started forming and mentoring youth groups, working with and training stakeholders, and leading advocacy campaigns across Maharashtra and beyond.

These organically developed ideologies, values and principles form the base of Anubhuti. After almost 16 years of such work which grew to include community development, research, advocacy, campaigning, module-making, training, networking and movement-building – Deepa felt it was time to consolidate these strategies of work by starting her own organization. Thus Anubhuti was formed in 2016, registered under the BPT Act 1950. Currently the organization has 5 team members - all of whom are under age 35, with a dedicated base of volunteers and well-wishers.

We believe the rights to equity, justice, expression, access and dignity are essential for living a life without violence, deprivation and discrimination. Our theory of change is that youth, given the right opportunities and mentoring, can lead concrete social, economic and political change for themselves, their communities and society.

The organization governance structure consists of Trustee Board, Anti Discrimination Committee, management and team. The Anti Discrimination committee, with representation from the communities that we work with along with few external members, ensures that the above values are respected and followed within the organization too. This committee serves as our Internal Complaints Committee too, as per Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act 2013.

Currently the following activities are ongoing:

Higher Education Spaces Mentally & Physically Safe

WHAT: Training students and teachers of colleges and schools in Mumbai and Thane Districts - through Women’s Development Cell & NSS units - in Mental Health and Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act 2013.

IMPACT: 1500 students & teachers trained in 16 colleges and 1 school.

• 100% have asked for advanced trainings.
• One school has started counselling centre run by teachers, are taking our mentoring for gender justice in their curriculum.
• One college has invited us on their ICC, two are collaborating with us for conferences and advanced programs. Mumbai University stakeholders met with recommendations who responded positively.
• 30 students & teachers already approached us for counselling.
• Youth-led Mann Mela - Mental Health Fair conducted to great response in a school and a college.
• MLA Rohit Pawar met with recommendations, to which he has responded positively.

Community Development through Youth Leadership

WHAT:Forming and training youth groups in deprived communities to lead community development initiatives on public safety, civil rights, women’s empowerment, sexual reproductive health, mental health, sanitation.

IMPACT: 900 youth and community leaders trained, of which 120 youth leaders meet on regular basis in 3 communities. 3000 more people reached with awareness, 22500 people reached with relief operations.

• 98% who are in 10th and 12th have passed, and are continuing in higher education.
• Ration Cards made for 7 Adivasi families by youth leaders’ initiative.
• Community Toilet catering to 1000 women repaired by MLA by girl leaders’ initiative.
• Mental Health stigma reduced in communities, increasing people approaching counselling centre. More than 200 clients counselled for various problems including domestic violence, family conflicts, civil rights, education & career, physical health and mental health.
• Disaster Management from perspective of community resilience trainings being given to 150 nomadic & denotified (NT-DNT) community leaders in context of COVID pandemic.
• Youth and grassroot leaders led relief carried out during lockdown across 15 districst of Maharashtra - reaching 4500 families of most marginalized ST and NT-DNT populations.

Constitution Literacy

WHAT:Constitution literacy with college and community youth, Public awareness campaigns, Conferences with stakeholders on their role in upholding rights, Advocacy with government for democratic policies & implementation.

IMPACT: 600 youth, 40 elected leaders & 300 stakeholders trained. Over 1,00,0000 people reached with awareness.

• Raahi Youth Network of 50 youth leaders formed across Mumbai and Thane districts working for Constitutional Rights.
• 8 colleges participated in our ‘Constitution Literacy Inter-College Exam’ 2019 and 13 registered for the same in 2020.
• Elected women councillors in KDMC are supporting and joining Anubhuti’s work for gender-friendly policies.
• A cultural group named ‘Badlache Parv’ formed of youth leaders who use songs, theater, etc. to take awareness of constitutional values & rights to interiors
• Over 6500 people reached directly through youth-led campaigns on Constitution Literacy, POSH Act 2013, Mental Healthcare Act 2017, etc. in communities, public events and online events.

‘Sharir Sanvaad’ Campaign for Equal Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) for all.

WHAT:Training, research and advocacy in communities, with health workers and with Health Department for equity between partners, dignified SRHR health services and gender-friendly policies.

IMPACT:300 community women, 100 health workers and 200 stakeholders trained.

• Mayor and Deputy Commissioner of KDMC presented with research findings alongwith demands for better SRHR health services for poor women.
• 450 people signed postcards endorsing these demands sent to MCGM.
• Family Welfare and Public Health Department, Mumbai invited Anubhuti and youth representatives to understand these demands.