Divine Shakti Foundation’s vocational training centers in Rishikesh, and other areas of the Himalayas, are a place where more than 1000 young girls and women receive free training in such fields as sewing, embroidery, handicrafts, tailoring and and in various skills from the beautician industry. Not only do our women learn valuable life skills, but also build confidence and self-esteem and self reliance, to help them gain greater success in life.  Click here to learn more!

Dear to Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji’s heart is the empowerment of women and girls and the creation of a world in which they can not only survive but truly thrive. On the occasion of her 50th Birthday the Parmath Nari Shakti Kendra was officially inaugurated, which is our center of excellence and empowerment for women and girls based next to one of the largest slums in Uttarakhand. This newly-expanded center includes a whole suite of vocational training offerings. With the help of generous supporters, this center will continue to grow and serve more women and girls from these needy communities with high quality offerings.

The Divine Shakti Foundation runs karate self-defense classes in different centers to give girls and women the courage to stand up for themselves. Teaching karate at DSF enables our women and students to become stronger, more confident and able to exercise their rights, and helps with health and in maintaining a positive outlook. Recently we have celebrated our students who have excelled in their efforts and an interstate karate tournament by winning Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals!  Click here to learn more!

Gender Inequality, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Marriage are social problems that have a negative impact on society as a whole and undermine the core values ​​of human rights, liberty and dignity for all. A comprehensive faith based toolkit has been developed as a reference book to sensitize faith leaders from Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism traditions on the current problems and solutions of these critical issues that are adversely impacting Indian society. The toolkit gives the scriptural references and spiritual teachings that counteract inequality and biases. These teachings can be spread through large faith events and through other communication means. Ultimately, this toolkit aims to inspire a change in human behavior towards gender-based disparities, leading to an environment of harmony and inclusiveness at home, in our society, in the nation and, ultimately, in the world.

Life Skills Education is a special program that promotes ‘Rights and Choices for All,” aimed at adolescents in that critical phase of life. It is geared toward guiding, grounding, anchoring, inspiring and empowering youth to know themselves, develop confidence, find their voice and their unique gifts and use these gifts in service of their communities, their country and the world. LSE is a system of value-based courses and classes that trains students on the inner aspects of their personalities and addresses issues such as low self-confidence and that so often lead to significant mental health problems in their futures.

Life skills are social and psychological abilities that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. For students, Lifeskills improves their listening, reading, writing and communication skills. If given effectively, it improves problem solving skills, develops interpersonal skills, creates ability to think out of the box, builds confidence, determination, and creates positivity & cooperation skills.

More importantly, Life skills teaches teenagers to socialize healthily, identify their dreams, realize how to achieve those dreams, identify the obstacles as well as ways to get rid of the obstacles, and to develop leadership qualities.

Divine Shakti Foundation is glad to be providing this program in partnership with Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

It was a great opportunity for some of the adolescents in the Life Skills programme to share their experiences with the Hon’ble President of India Shri Ramnath Kovind during his visit to Parmarth Niketan.

LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION FOR ADOLESCENTS

The partnership with UNFPA has, in just two short years since the then-Country Representative of India and Bhutan for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms. Argentina Piccin’s visit to Rishikesh, has already begun to create a future in which the women and youth of Uttarakhand are receiving access to information, skills and services that expand their consciousness of self and others.

They are already seeing improved health and well-being; and are empowered to make informed decisions that result in positive outcomes for their lives and society as a whole.

The importance of protecting, nurturing and celebrating the girl child is being inculcated in the participants. These outcomes are achieved through the programs and initiatives designed within the goals and framework of UNFPA’s established procedures.

Divine Shakti Foundation is glad to partner with Just Like My Child Foundation to bring the beautiful Girl Power Project to India. Girl Power Project is a transformational program targeting girls as they enter the most vulnerable juncture of their lives: adolescence.

The project of uplifting and empowering girls has four main goals; keeping the girls in school, protecting girls from violence, avoiding early pregnancy and instilling leadership qualities in girls, to broaden their horizons for a brighter future.

In just the pilot phase The Girl Power Project empowered 300 teenage girls in the surrounding areas of Rishikesh with significant life tools and leadership skills enabling them to create a healthy and a dignified life for themselves.

The pilot project was a huge success. By the end of the pilot phase, 98% of participants could name one of their special strengths as compared to 2% girls prior to the pilot. Additionally, 95% of girls post-pilot knew about menstruation compared to only 52% before the project.

Testimonial from Samreen, Class 10: “ I am very happy that GPP came to my school. I have never witnessed any program coming to my school of this sort. I am so happy, I learnt important things that no one talks about.” Another participant who wants to keep her identity anonymous expressed, “ I was in an abusive relationship. My boyfriend has also beaten me up twice in our relationship. I loved him a lot and though now I don’t talk to him but I always used to think whether I took the right decision of leaving him and somewhere I have to change myself. Today after a long time, I can say my lost confidence has come back. I know I did the right thing. Thank you Girl Power Project.”