Our Causes

Girls born into India’s lowest social class have three strikes against them. First, they are rural or live in city slums. Second, they are Dalits – Untouchables - born into the lowest rank of India’s social caste system. Third, they face discrimination at almost every level: from access to education and medical facilities, to restrictions on where they can live, worship, and work. Menial, hard labor jobs, such as 12-hour days as a field worker, yield a mere 200 rupees a day (about $2 per day). Most married women are often unskilled, and if the husband is unable to work, everyone suffers. Many elderly widowed and childless women end up begging on the streets. These outcomes can change when women learn an income producing skill through India Partners’ seamstress program. This new skill can financially stabilize her future and allow her to have a dignified home-based business. Photo credit India Partners