EMPOWER PEOPLE is an organisation singularly focusing on work with victims and potential victims of human trafficking (bride trafficking to be precise) and honour crimes against women. The organisation is gradually taking the form and shape of a social movement, with a set of community based organisations, activist individuals and groups.
Work first began in 1999 as an educational initiative called Career Development Corner (CDC) and in 2006 it took the form of EMPOWER PEOPLE. With a singular focus on empowerment and rescue of victims of Bride trafficking with an active engagement of religious/ethnic leaders, community members and other stakeholders, EMPOWER PEOPLE is known for its work to protect, support and organize trafficked women and girls, against the vicious cycle of trafficking.
Work first began in 1999 as an educational initiative called Career Development Corner (CDC) and in 2006 it took the form of EMPOWER PEOPLE. With a singular focus on empowerment and rescue of victims of Bride trafficking with an active engagement of religious/ethnic leaders, community members and other stakeholders, EMPOWER PEOPLE is known for its work to protect, support and organize trafficked women and girls, against the vicious cycle of trafficking.
Legal Status
57377/06 Registered under SRA 1860 with the registrar of societies Government of NCT of Delhi, having a 80G Registration DEL – EE23691-08022012 5454 and 12A NQ.DIT (E) 2011-12/Del ER21901 – 08022012
57377/06 Registered under SRA 1860 with the registrar of societies Government of NCT of Delhi, having a 80G Registration DEL – EE23691-08022012 5454 and 12A NQ.DIT (E) 2011-12/Del ER21901 – 08022012
For tie-ups or donations, Trusts, Foundations and CSR groups that believe in our cause may please contact:
Kumar Hrishikesh
Phone: +91 1140671714
Email ID: mail@empowerpeople.org.in
Kumar Hrishikesh
Phone: +91 1140671714
Email ID: mail@empowerpeople.org.in
| audit_report_09-10.pdf |
| audit_report_10-11.pdf |
| audit report 11-12.pdf |
| audit_report_2012-2013.pdf |
| audit_report_2013-2014.pdf |
| audit_report_2014-2015.pdf |
| audit_report_2015-16.pdf |
| audit_report_2016-17.pdf |
| audit_report_2017-2018.pdf |
| Audit_report_2018-19.pdf |
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(Photo: Shafiq in launching ceremony of CDC)
The Organization was started in the form of a Movement. In the initial stages, the organization was called Career Development Center (CDC). It started imparting education and played a key role in spreading education as an awareness program among the youth. The aim to provide education to poor marginalized children soon was fruitful. Thereafter, the movement gathered a huge potential of students from schools and colleges who joined CDC as volunteers and helped achieving its goal.
The establishment of CDC was an expression of youth’s awareness and cause. A Coordinating Committee was formulated to monitor and scrutinize the path of development in this process of awareness with imparting education as its core issue for a larger participation of the masses. At the outset, the organization confronted many challenges in resource development due to lack of experience. Majority of them were senior students of Schools working as volunteers. The challenges opened new avenues.
The CDC successfully established an informal centre for primary education with the help of students at Shastri School, Gaya district. A goal was defined that every volunteer would be bestowed with the responsibility to impart education in chain management.
The pilot program was initiated at Amas block of Gaya district and toil of members proved fruitful upon achieving their motto. Twenty three centres were then formally established at Gaya district of Bihar and Chatra (now in Jharkhand) as a larger project. All centres have been handed over to the youths at the local plane.
The organization moved onward and successfully made its way to Delhi and worked to safeguard the rights of migrant labourers and ensure basic education to their children as their right.
In the year 2006, the organization was formally established as EMPOWER PEOPLE, registered under the society registration act 1860.
Empower People was initiated with a PadaYatra of three hundred kilometers against female foeticide under the premiership of its founder Shafiq ur Rahman Khan from Jind to Hisar in Haryana.
The establishment of CDC was an expression of youth’s awareness and cause. A Coordinating Committee was formulated to monitor and scrutinize the path of development in this process of awareness with imparting education as its core issue for a larger participation of the masses. At the outset, the organization confronted many challenges in resource development due to lack of experience. Majority of them were senior students of Schools working as volunteers. The challenges opened new avenues.
The CDC successfully established an informal centre for primary education with the help of students at Shastri School, Gaya district. A goal was defined that every volunteer would be bestowed with the responsibility to impart education in chain management.
The pilot program was initiated at Amas block of Gaya district and toil of members proved fruitful upon achieving their motto. Twenty three centres were then formally established at Gaya district of Bihar and Chatra (now in Jharkhand) as a larger project. All centres have been handed over to the youths at the local plane.
The organization moved onward and successfully made its way to Delhi and worked to safeguard the rights of migrant labourers and ensure basic education to their children as their right.
In the year 2006, the organization was formally established as EMPOWER PEOPLE, registered under the society registration act 1860.
Empower People was initiated with a PadaYatra of three hundred kilometers against female foeticide under the premiership of its founder Shafiq ur Rahman Khan from Jind to Hisar in Haryana.
Amazing Indian award 2013
Founder of EMPOWER PEOPLE Shafiq R. Khan, was honored with the Amazing Indian Award by Times Now, for his contribution in the anti-trafficking movement in India. Mr. Khan won the award in the Stree Shakti Category for his work in rescuing girls who fall victim to “bride trafficking.” Times Now has instituted this award for the person, who in their words, 'has gone beyond his own circumstances, risen above the norms of society, to make this country a better place to live in.' The stories of Amazing Indians are 'extraordinary stories of compassion, dedication, selfless service, pioneers, educators, and ambitions that are not for the self, but for the Nation. These are real icons of the country - who ought to be followed in every walk of life.'
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VIDEO
Social Bravery Award-2013 (CID Gallantry Awards)
Our Founder, Shafiq R. Khan has been awarded the Gold medal of ‘CID Gallantry Award’ of Social Bravery for above 15 years of his commitment to the rights of trafficked brides and girls who are living alone and at risk.
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VIDEO
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EMPOWER PEOPLE was felicitated by the eNGO Challenge South Asia 2012 which aspires to create an ecosystem by recognizing and honouring NGOs which are using Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital media tools for good governance and practices that are benefiting societies and communities at large.
It is a joint initiative of Public Interest Registry (PIR) and Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) for using Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital media for good governance transparent practices to combating Bride trafficking and Honour crimes. Award book |
Grinnell College Innovator in Social Justice Prize
Shafiq R. Khan has been selected as the 2019 Grinnell College Innovator in Social Justice Prize winner to celebrate and honor the work he has done through EMPOWER PEOPLE to disrupt bride trafficking and empower survivor leaders in India. "Because of its unique approach among anti-trafficking organizations, EMPOWER PEOPLE is a perfect match for the Grinnell Prize."
Cynthia Hansen, the chair of the Grinnell Prize selection committee, remarked on the value of Khan’s visit to Grinnell, “Our hope in presenting the Prize to Shafiq and EMPOWER PEOPLE is that he will continue this innovative work, advocating for social justice for these women and their communities. I think we are already seeing how coming to Grinnell has helped hone his message and the focus of his work, and I look forward to seeing where Shafiq takes this work in the future.”
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Cynthia Hansen, the chair of the Grinnell Prize selection committee, remarked on the value of Khan’s visit to Grinnell, “Our hope in presenting the Prize to Shafiq and EMPOWER PEOPLE is that he will continue this innovative work, advocating for social justice for these women and their communities. I think we are already seeing how coming to Grinnell has helped hone his message and the focus of his work, and I look forward to seeing where Shafiq takes this work in the future.”
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Coming Soon... Stay tuned!
Amruta Khare
With a background in Psychology, Research Editing, and Special Education, she finds Empower People to be a platform which looks at gender issues in the most humane manner. As the name of the NGO suggests, it simply wants to support people and help them to realise their potential. She likes to participate in meetings as and when her schedule allows and takes upon editing and writing assignments. Though her approach remains work oriented, she loves the fact that she can participate in any ongoing campaign and is free to ask questions and develop her understanding further. 
Reema K Thunderbolt
With a background in Architecture and work experience in Education, at Empower People she claims to have found a space where she can channelise her passion for people. She participates in meetings, loves to make minutes and likes to ensure that maximum ideas can be brought to fruition and works with various tools to make that happen, be it design or fundraising. |
Badal Thakkar
Growing up on the farm in a very small town, Badal had witnessed the harsh realities of women trapped in bad marriages. He studied architecture from K.Raheja, Mumbai but always maintained his passion for letting his work make social impact that can help further a feminist dialogue that has been long overdue. It is with this firm belief in equality and social justice that he moved to New York to pursue a Masters degree in architecture with an emphasis on cultural theory, specifically feminist cultural theory. Empower People has allowed Badal to exercise his vision of bringing change by subverting the notion that women are commodities meant for bridal trade. In his free time, he likes to sketch, watch sci-fi films and cook. 
Roohi Sahay Chandrabhan
A journalist turned filmmaker Roohi has worked in-depth on several developmental and environmental subjects across India over a decade. Women related issues have been very close to her heart and her association with Empower People has helped her develop a pragmatic approach towards such matters. The comprehensive work done by the organization helps volunteers like Roohi contribute to the cause in their best capabilities. |
Debalina Dey
She comes from a family of social workers. Her grandfather Sri Nirode Ghosh was a renowned social worker and freedom fighter in Guwahati, Assam. She was naturally drawn to social work, especially problems concerning women in society. She has a keen interest in societal structures regarding oppression of women and other downtrodden communities of society. She has completed her graduation in Physics. She has a flair for writing and acting, and has done few pieces for Empower People. She is a keen worker of Empower People. 
Shafiq R Khan
A passionate activist with a singular attention on Bride Trafficking, he founded EMPOWER PEOPLE starting with a 300 kilometer "March Against Female infanticide and gender inequality" in Haryana in 2005. His humble demeanor and enduring patience are his major strengths. He conducts workshops with various duty bearers with a strategic priority of enforcing women and children’s rights as human rights. |
