Gulabi Gang fights for women’s empowerment

Ranchi: Gulabi Gang, an organisation run by women in Jharkhand, have been spearheading an awareness drive against the consumption of liquor in Ranchi. They are also trying to empower women so that they can raise voice against any kind of atrocities.
“I was very much inspired by the Gulabi Gang of Uttar Pradesh which was started as a way to punish abusive husbands, fathers, and brothers. I thought there should be a group of women in Jharkhand campaigning against atrocities and educating women about them. We speak out against all forms of violence, but notably, alcohol and drug abuse-related ones,” said Rani Yadav, director of the unit in Jharkhand.
“Addiction becomes one of the major reasons for violence at home. If any woman faces violence because of alcohol addiction of her husband, our team goes there and explains to the man about the charges that can be filed against him,” said Yadav.
The gang in Jharkhand started with 25 members in 2015. At present, it has more than 10,000 members across the state. Because of the efforts of the gang, more than 200 individuals have been imprisoned for eve-teasing, Yadav said.
The gang members travel extensively to help victims of assault. The gang has conducted more than 300 domestic violence surveys so far, she added.
Anjali Devi, a member of the gang, said, “I don’t want another woman to experience violence in the family. We are adding more women in the gang to make them aware and help them to raise voices against domestic violence.”