SHAGUN
Shagun: An Initiative for Mass Weddings for Vulnerable Women
SUMMARY
Shagun is a transformative initiative by Ladli Foundation designed to provide vulnerable women with a secure and dignified start to their married life through organized mass weddings. Many women from marginalized backgrounds face the risk of exploitation, trafficking, and forced prostitution due to delayed or unsafe marriages. This program not only offers these women a safe environment to begin their new lives but also empowers them with the tools they need to become independent and self-reliant. By covering all wedding expenses, conducting thorough background checks on prospective grooms, and providing opportunities for education and skill development, Shagun aims to ensure that these women live with dignity and security.
CAUSE
Marriage is meant to symbolize love, respect, and security. However, for many women from underserved communities in India, marriage often becomes a pathway to exploitation. Delayed marriages or unsafe unions leave these women vulnerable to organized crimes, such as forced prostitution and trafficking, fueled by factors like poverty, illiteracy, and societal pressure. Marginalized women are often targets for these criminal rackets, which prey on their vulnerabilities. This situation highlights the urgent need for a program that offers these women a safe, dignified, and secure entry into marriage, protecting them from exploitation and giving them the chance to build a better future.
OUR ACTION
Shagun goes beyond merely organizing mass weddings—it is a comprehensive approach that focuses on the safety, empowerment, and well-being of the women involved. Our actions include :
Mass Weddings : We organize mass weddings for vulnerable women, covering all related expenses to ensure that the women and their families are relieved from the financial burden of wedding costs. This enables the women to start their married life in a secure and dignified manner, free from the pressures and risks associated with delayed or unsafe marriages.
Education and Skill Development : We offer opportunities for education and skill training to empower the women and make them financially independent. This equips them to build a better future for themselves and their families, breaking the cycle of poverty and exploitation.
Thorough Background Checks : To protect the women from risks such as trafficking and forced prostitution, we conduct extensive background checks on all prospective grooms. This step ensures the safety of the women entering into marriage.
Holistic Support : Our program extends beyond the wedding day. We provide continuous guidance, care, and support to help the women adjust to their new lives, ensuring their well-being and long-term success.
IMPACT
The Shagun initiative has had a profound impact on the lives of over 2,067 vulnerable women, providing them with the opportunity to live with dignity and security. Some key impacts include :
2,067+ Women Empowered : More than 2,067 women have benefited from the program, receiving the support needed to start their married life with dignity, free from the threats of exploitation, trafficking, and forced prostitution.
Breaking the Cycle of Exploitation : By organizing mass weddings and preventing unsafe marriages, we have helped reduce the risk of these women being targeted by criminal organizations. Our efforts have directly contributed to reducing the incidence of trafficking and forced prostitution among marginalized women.
Education and Skill Development : The Shagun initiative has provided women with access to education and skill training, empowering them to become financially independent. This helps break the cycle of poverty and provides them with the tools needed to build a better future.
Enhanced Social Security : Through our program, we have ensured that all wedding expenses are covered and that prospective grooms undergo thorough background checks. This ensures that the women can enter marriage with confidence, knowing they are safe from exploitation.
Shagun has proven to be a lifeline for vulnerable women, providing them with not only a secure start to their married life but also the empowerment to thrive and break free from the cycle of exploitation.
