Association For Development

Women empowerment encompasses the social, economic, and educational strengthening of women, with a focus on eliminating gender bias and ensuring equal rights for women in society, workplaces, and communities. Despite significant progress over seven decades of independence in India and the inclusion of provisions in the Constitution to protect and empower women, deeply ingrained patriarchal norms persist, leading to the victimization, humiliation, torture, exploitation, and discrimination of women in various social, economic, and educational aspects of life. The organisation aims to address these challenges and work towards achieving true gender equality and empowerment for women in Indian society.

The organisation considers child protection and development a crucial aspect of nation-building, recognizing the challenges posed by urbanization, globalization, privatization, and industrialization. Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is of paramount importance, as studies indicate potential risks to the nation's development if child protection is not urgently addressed. AFD, as a part of civil society, sees it as its responsibility to prioritize child protection issues. It believes that safeguarding children's rights ultimately contributes to nation-building and a brighter future for the country.

AFD recognizes that youth empowerment differs from youth development as it shifts the focus from individual development to fostering community change through the enhancement of individual capacity. Youth, as the future leaders of society, possess the potential to introduce innovative solutions to prevailing challenges. They constitute the foundational strength of a society, making their active participation across all societal facets imperative. Regrettably, many Indian youth face exclusion from such roles, be it in decision-making processes or leadership initiatives, particularly in urban areas. This exclusion leads to various problems like drug abuse, illegal activities, depression, and more. Meanwhile, youth represent a crucial demographic capable of shaping India's future, emphasizing the urgency of their inclusion and empowerment.