Event Category: Campaign

In 2024, Azad Foundation successfully carried out the Samanta Bandhan campaign, transforming the traditional festival of Raksha Bandhan into a powerful movement for gender equality. The campaign called on communities to reject patriarchal notions of ‘protection’ and instead embrace equality and mutual respect.

During the campaign, participants tied the thread of equality to one another, symbolizing a commitment to gender justice. Engaging discussions were held on the burden of unpaid care work on women and girls, highlighting the importance of sharing responsibilities at home. The campaign also promoted non-traditional livelihoods for women, sparking conversations in schools and communities about the importance of empowering women through skill education and employment.

Samanta Bandhan 2024 was not just a celebration but a collective stand against gender-based violence and restrictive norms, fostering a society where every individual, regardless of gender, class, or caste, is treated with dignity and respect.

The #GharKaKaamSabkaKaam Campaign was a nationwide campaign launched on International Labour Day by Azad Foundation, MenEngage India, and the Non-Traditional Livelihoods Network. The campaign aimed to highlight the value of unpaid care work, which is predominantly performed by women and girls, and to encourage men and boys to share these responsibilities. Through a mix of street plays, workshops, rallies, and creative activities like film screenings and puppet shows, the campaign worked to challenge and change outdated gender norms surrounding caregiving.

The campaign reached over 40,000 people across nine states and engaged with communities through interactive fairs, “PAPA’s Kitchen” events where men took on household tasks, and various other activities. Over 30 organizations partnered in the campaign, successfully fostering conversations about the equal distribution of care work, supporting women’s access to education and employment, and promoting healthier family dynamics.