Samarth Projects

 
 
 

 Nirbhaya Helpline

Launched in 2014, the toll free Nirbhaya HelpLine has been aimed at empowering girls and women of Rajasthan facing gender-based violence. Under this project, a toll free NIRBHAYA helpline 18 001 200 020 was launched to assist women and girls by providing services directly to survivors of violence with a focus on domestic violence, sexual abuse, harassment, rape, and acid attacks or through providing referrals to other agencies. This HelpLine provides easy access to counsellors, who would be able to help them in resolving their issues.

During lockdown due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the numbers of women affected by violence have gravely increased since women were confined in their homes with abusive partners or families. Loss of income, isolation, alcohol, or drug dependency with constricted knowledge of gender norms are few of the underlying issues that factored the violent surroundings. During the pandemic, the domestic violence cases have doubled from 161 in April to 397 in May 2021.

This has prompted us to promote the Nirbhaya helpline to the Sambhali Nirbhaya project. As part of a Crisis Management Team we aim to provide knowledge of legal rights and services available to survivors; connect them with our in-house psychologist to offer counseling and emotional support as well as with the medical team in and around the city. We also help with finding rehabilitation centres for women who are affected due to violence. Sambhali also provides vocational training to help with further education and help provide the opportunity for an independent income.

Sambhali also aims to provide educational awareness through workshops and publicity material to provide information on gender-based violence, how to access help and support, and knowledge of their legal rights.

 

 SOS Helpline

Sambhali aims to provide an Emergency Medical and Legal Support Service which helps women (and their families) throughout Rajasthan, who are unable to afford emergency medical treatment or legal representation.

Through the Emergency Provision Fund, we aim to provide emergency support in cases of critical need; this may cover emergency medical care, diagnosis, emergency medication, ambulance transport, emergency shelter accommodation and other similar critical expenses. The aim is to provide critical needs assistance and once the situation has stabilised the person is transferred if necessary to Government services or other suitable organisations operating in Jodhpur. This would include medical conditions such as tuberculosis and long-term medical treatments such as kidney dialyses and HIV medication which Sambhali would provide for in the short-term (up to 3 months treatment) after which another organisation providing these same facilities and treatments would need to be found in Jodhpur, (Government hospitals/clinics or NGOs).

The Legal Support Fund would be available to pay for legal costs in matters of divorce, for those suffering from or at risk of domestic abuse, forced marriage and similar situations, who are unable to afford to pay for legal expenses.

Garima (LGBTQIA+ Rights)

Project Garima (Dignity), under which our Office in Jodhpur offers a safe drop-in centre for the Members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This pilot project organises professional support for the members who suffer physical, mental and financial abuse so that they can combat their vulnerable situation.

Through professionals we try to help members create a strong and trustworthy network. Our office offers a safe heaven where the members can spend some time to learn about their rights, about their emotional well-being and find guidance and long-term dedicated support from our experts.

The idea is to sensitize and build a bridge between the LGBTQIA+ community and the mainstream society. With workshops we try to build self-esteem, build confidence, unite the members and make them independent individuals who are able to make their own decisions.

Sambhali Garima Project's foundation is laid on trust, faith, hope, kindness, gratitude, love and affection. Garmia provides ear to hear and heart to understand the members.

At our weekly Sunday meetup members of the LGBTQIA+ community and members from the mainstream society join in to break the barriers and share each other's experiences and unite for human rights, talk about gender stereotype, about their emotional and physical health, talk about HIV and STDs, attend recreational activities, discussing about cyber crime, law and youth affairs.

Follow Project Garima on Instagram and Facebook to get regular updates about our work.

 
 

Aadarsh

When we founded the No Bad Touch Project in 2013, Sambhali Trust became the first organisation to address the issue of child sexual abuse openly within the city of Jodhpur. The goal was to educate children, families, and teachers on how to recognize sexual abuse and actions to take to prevent and to respond to abuse. This project has grown over the years and is now the Aadarsh (Ideal) program.

We approach this sensitive issue in two main ways:

  • Holding regular conferences for local government agencies and community leaders to encourage them to take action to prevent child sexual abuse.

  • Prevention and education programmes around the topic of child sexual abuse. 

 

 Sambhali Sarai

Sambhali Sarai, currently undergoing renovations and slated to open in the fall of 2024, will be a shelter for women escaping gender-based violence and for members of the LGBTQ+ community facing violence or who have been rejected by their families. Both needs are significant in Jodhpur.

Sarai is a local word for a resting place for caravans or people on their lifelong journeys to rest for a while.

In the past, the space Sambhali had for emergency shelter for women was limited to a small area within the boarding homes, which was not ideal for women and their minor children in stress or for the already busy boarding home girls. There has been no place for members of most members of the LGBTQ+ community who face enormous discrimination. In true Sambhali fashion, the organization will work holistically to help those who seek shelter find a way to reestablish their lives, including providing vocational and educational training when needed.  In addition, Sambhali Sarai will serve as a drop-in center for LGBTQ+ members, and the bottom floor will be a new Empowerment Center and Primary Education Center.

Construction progress images