Almost every woman in India has experienced some form of sexual harassment or violence at some point in her life. Oddly, no one ever spoke about it. Not till a young human rights organisation called Breakthrough stood up and said, “This is not acceptable. Violence against women and girls must stop.” In 2001, Breakthrough resolved to grab the issue by its collar with a music album called Mann Ke Manjeere. The album became a video. The video became a campaign and the campaign slowly built itself into a movement. Women, men, villagers, city-slickers, government and corporates; Breakthrough has invited everyone into the growing discourse on gender equity.
We may be small but we will not stay quiet.
Relying on surprising partnerships, unexpected media platforms and messaging that permeates to bold action on the ground, Breakthrough has gone about transforming one home, one workplace, one community at a time to make a positive difference to the millions of girls and women who have been held back from participating in society. Each person’s experience reflects the truth the organisation is built on: Violence against women and girls can end with you.