Our FocusAreas
Ten interconnected programs addressing root causes of inequality, poverty, and violence in rural Telangana — for over 35 years.
10 Programs, One Mission
Every program feeds into our core mission of empowering women and transforming communities
Training & Capacity Building
Empowering 60,000+ women through intensive training on gender, leadership, legal literacy, and political participation.
- Gender sensitization workshops and leadership training
- Legal literacy programs on rights and entitlements
- Political participation and voter education campaigns
- Violence against women and children awareness trainings
- Training on access to government schemes and benefits
Violence Against Women & Legal Counseling
Weekly counseling with lawyers helping women navigate domestic violence, dowry harassment, rape, and property disputes.
- Weekly counseling sessions with two dedicated lawyers
- Support from Chief Functionary and two organizers
- Legal aid for rape, dowry harassment, domestic violence, bigamy
- Village-wise awareness camps and leadership training
- Focus on sexual harassment at workplace and discrimination
Literacy & Livelihood Development
Evening literacy classes for SHG women combining alphabet learning with awareness on key issues affecting their lives.
- Implemented 1998–2002, funded by Ford Foundation
- Curriculum developed by World Education combining literacy with social issues
- Capacity building support from PRIA, New Delhi
- 300+ Dalit women made fully literate
- Seeking expansion to 40 villages in four districts
Gender Integrated Development (SHGs)
4,000 Self Help Groups with 60,000 women acting as agents of change anchoring development across communities.
- 4,000 SHGs formed and strengthened with 60,000 members
- Rights Based Approach (RBA) integral to strategy
- Rallies and advocacy pressuring government action
- Training women leaders on gender justice
- Focus on single women and their unique challenges
- Bank linkage programs for SHG economic empowerment
Sustainable Agriculture
Promoting chemical-free farming from Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to Non-Pesticide Management (NPM).
- Started with Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Evolved to Non-Pesticide Management (NPM)
- Part of global crusade to protect environment from chemical pollution
- Waste land development programs
- Procurment of food grains project
Care of Senior Citizens & Children
Running homes for senior citizens and children without parental support as a core social responsibility.
- Home for Senior Citizens providing shelter and care
- Support for children without parental support
- Seeking additional funding to expand reach
- Social responsibility towards most vulnerable community members
Right to Information
Spreading awareness about RTI Act as a powerful tool for rural people to make governance systems work.
- Awareness camps at village, cluster, and mandal level
- Chaitanya ratha yatras (awareness vehicle campaigns)
- Get-together meetings to mobilize people
- Wall posters, pamphlets, and voter discussion forums
- Training on how to file RTI applications
NREGA Support
Helping rural people access employment guarantees, understand muster rolls, and resolve grievances under NREGA.
- Awareness on NREGA facilities and entitlements
- Guidance on muster rolls and work registration
- Support for post-office account opening for payments
- Consultation with government officers on grievances
- Ensuring benefits reach the neediest families
Panchayat Raj Strengthening
Training ward and panchayat members to conduct effective Grama Sabhas and advocate for decentralized governance.
- Training on panchayat books and financial management
- Conducting Grama Sabhas twice a year
- Resource management and mobilization training
- Awareness on 73rd Constitutional Amendment
- 300 Dalit women participating actively in Panchayat activities
- Women elected to village, mandal, and district level positions
Health & HIV/AIDS Awareness
Surveys in vulnerable areas, awareness programs, and support for people affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Extensive surveys to locate vulnerable areas and populations
- Awareness programs combating stigma around HIV/AIDS
- Support for affected individuals to lead meaningful lives
- Working in new mandals including Hyderabad city
- Addressing rural-to-urban migration and its health impacts
- Mobile medical units and health camps (future expansion)
Future Programs
RADS is expanding into new areas with these upcoming focus areas