JWP-'Mera Sahara'-Nithari Village, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

In 2007 the community in Nithari Village, Noida, Uttar Pradesh experienced traumatic and tragic incidents of sexual abuse, and serial murder of children. This was in addition to the already existing incidents of domestic violence, child labour, child marriage, kidnapping, rape, trafficking and abuse.

Children in this area, born into poor families, where mothers are mostly maids, fathers rickshaw pullers, lack nutritious food,  proper clothes, but even basic care. Learning and sharing are non-existent, due to long and tiresome working hours of the parents and unhealthy surroundings. The safety and well-being of these children are at stake. Added to this is the existing socio-cultural discrimination of caste -class, religion, and gender. 

The community actively experiences multiple manifestations of violence and discrimination due to existing controls of old, traditional, customary practices and beliefs. Continuous local political factors that curb holistic, equitable and sustainable development also play a role. 

Children, women, community as a whole at Nithari Village are at the last rung of development, needing direction and support. Laws, Policies and Schemes of the Government do not reach them, nor are they aware of them, due to lack of information and education. Citizens’ rights are therefore unavailable to them.

Education: JWP Mera Sahara Project is a protection centre with a non-formal bridge school. It works for the all-around development of children to become confident, informed, responsible citizens, at par with children of mainstream schools. Children are exposed to mainstream schools by enabling them to participate in child-related programmes and competitions. These efforts have helped them to shed their sense of inferiority and instill a positive outlook on life and their future. 

2.  Women’s Empowerment. Without women being sensitized, informed and conscious of their identity as citizens and mothers, children will have no direction. Therefore, JWP conducts adult education, skill training for economic stability for women. Healthcare, information on law and policies, community awareness and gender sensitization programmes are alco conducted.   

3. Community Programmes for Sensitization and training of parents, leaders, to organize and strengthen a ‘watch dog’ group which oversees the running of the Centre and prevents violence against women and children. Empowerment programmes for women and men to become conscious of their identity, economically self-sufficient, adding to the family earnings for a healthy, dignified life. Tailoring and designing, beautician courses and cooking are conducted. Computer education and the National Institute for Open Schooling (NIOS) classes for further education.

Through the process of interaction, information sharing, and counselling, JWP endeavours to run Centres that provide a safe place for children and women in the Project area. The Educational programme seeks to provide non-formal education, nutrition, and good health. It thus prevents female foeticide, child abuse and rape, sale and trafficking, child marriage, forced child labour, domestic violence, and denial of all basic child rights. 

Local women are informed and trained to become trainers and counsellors to ensure that the correct messages regarding laws, policies, schemes and existing protection infrastructure and law and order machinery are accessible to them. Adolescent girls and women are informed about their citizens’ rights and how to access them. This is imparted through the medium of adult education classes, video sessions, and expert advice from resource persons, both medical and legal. 

The community is encouraged to become part of the ‘Watch Dog’ group to ensure adult education, safety, promote hygienic conditions, and to interact with the various departments of the local government to prevent violence, and enable the community to get all and various identity documents, bank accounts and ration cards, etc.