Sanhita
Empowering Frontline Women Workers in West Bengal
In a powerful step towards building safer, more equitable workplaces, Rukmani Trust has partnered with Sanhita, a pioneering Gender Resource Centre, to empower frontline women workers in West Bengal. This initiative focuses on Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme—raising awareness about workplace harassment and strengthening the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013.
Building a Culture of Safety Through Peer Education
With Rukmani Trust's support, Sanhita launched a pilot project across selected blocks in Howrah district. At the heart of this initiative is a Training of Trainers (ToT) model, which equips Anganwadi Workers to become peer educators—spreading legal awareness and workplace safety practices within their own communities.
Between April and September 2024:
- 21 AWWs across 8 Gram Panchayats were trained as peer educators.
- 12 peer educators are now actively sharing knowledge and driving discussions in their workplaces.
- The project reached 79 Anganwadi Workers directly through orientation sessions and impacted 154 more workers indirectly—covering 72% of the workforce in the block.
Community-Driven Change
What sets this initiative apart is its deep engagement with local governance.
- 80% of participating Gram Panchayats actively supported the initiative—providing training venues and participating in awareness sessions.
- This grassroots involvement lends credibility, ownership, and sustainability to the movement.
To ensure continuous support and learning, Sanhita has created a dedicated WhatsApp group and holds regular in-person meetings—facilitating peer exchange, problem-solving, and shared learning.
A Scalable Model for Sustainable Impact
Instead of training every Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) worker individually—a time and resource-intensive approach—Sanhita's Training of Trainers (ToT) model creates a ripple effect. Trained peer educators serve as catalysts for change within their own networks, making the initiative both scalable and sustainable.
This model not only empowers individual women but fosters a broader culture of safety, awareness, and collective agency across communities.
Looking Ahead
With continued support from Rukmani Trust, Sanhita is committed to:
- Expanding the model to additional blocks and districts
- Strengthening the peer educator network for greater impact
- Deepening advocacy by engaging local governance in long-term workplace safety initiatives
Join the Movement
Together, Sanhita and Rukmani Trust are laying the foundation for systemic change—ensuring that frontline women workers are not only aware of their rights, but empowered to claim them with confidence and support.
To learn more about Sanhita and their work, visit their website.
