Durga is a Bangalore-based public charitable trust that works towards creating a safe environment for women in public spaces. Though Durga’s main objective is to equip young girls and women with crucial skills to deter sexual harassment and other crime, they also work with communities and other genders to create awareness about the importance of safety in public spaces and what needs to be done to avoid unsafe situations.
Team Durga comprises facilitators, coordinators, and other professionals who are passionate about creating a change in the society. In fact, they have successfully organized campaigns and theatre-based workshops over the years and have worked with over 5000 women and girls.
Durga NGO Bangalore Contact Details:
- Website: durgaindia.org
- Mobile: +91 90082 12828
- Email: contactus@durgaindia.org
- Address: 193, 36 B Cross, Jayanagar 7th Block, Next to National College, Bangalore -560070
Durga, Bangalore – An Overview
In 2009, a blog titled “I’m Every Woman” was created, which tells stories of women from different backgrounds with difficult circumstances. The blog was a hit, and within a year, it became an offline forum for female entrepreneurs to discuss ongoing issues.
The ‘I’m Every Woman’ trust was registered in 2013, after which the first set of workshops was conducted. Over the years, many initiatives were organized by the trust and today, Durga is still planning new campaigns in public spaces.
Anybody is free to volunteer with Durga. People can also register to attend workshops or even visit their official website to make contributions.
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Initiatives For Women By Durga NGO
Be A Durga: Durga conducts workshops to aid women to address sexual harassment in public places with confidence.
Box-It: Durga has partnered with the Bangalore Bus Transport system and has started the Box-It system to help women voice their issues/complaints whenever they feel unsafe. Box- It boxes are placed at various bus terminals, giving women an opportunity to post their complaints at their convenience. The team goes through the grievances, checks the authenticity of each one, and takes care of the rest.
BeTogetherBangalore: The trust constantly works with the police, government, and civil society to increase the presence of women in public areas.
Citizens Audit Public Spaces: This initiative was started to identify public spaces that are accessible for women. Anyone, regardless of their gender, can be a CAPS volunteer and assist in this drive.
PinDrop: Durga has created this initiative to assure women’s safety while dealing with delivery agents.
Safe Transport: Safe Transport is a collaboration between Durga and the Bangalore Bus Transport system to help women voice out against sexual violence. As a result of this initiative, panic alarms have been in all Bangalore buses.
Street Vendors: The main objective of this campaign is to create safe public spaces for women street vendors and to help these women build the confidence to speak out when in uncomfortable situations.
Voice Out: Durga aims to educate people to create safe virtual spaces and speak out when women are in vulnerable situations in the world of the internet.