Chhattisgarh, a state with over 31% tribal population, faces the daunting challenge of empowering its women, especially in the northern Sarguja range, where the tribal percentage rises to 55% and female literacy stands at a mere 42%. In this context, IPS officer Bhavna Gupta has emerged as a beacon of change, leading an inspiring initiative to break the barriers that hinder the progress of tribal women.
Indian Masterminds exclusively spoke with the 2014 batch officer to learn more about her project, ‘Himmat’.
BUILDING HIMMAT
Three years ago, Ms. Gupta, serving as the Superintendent of Police in Surajpur, initiated the Himmat project. The initiative aimed to combat the rising crimes against tribal women by providing them with self-defense training, legal awareness, and career counseling. This comprehensive approach garnered an enthusiastic response, empowering over a thousand tribal girls in Surajpur and subsequently expanding to six other tribal areas in Ambikapur.
“Interacting with the women there, I sensed a sort of disconnect between them and the police. They were apprehensive to approach us and there was ignorance of law. We wanted to start an engagement program, primarily focused on tribal girls and victims of crimes, which is how Himmat came into existence,” Ms. Gupta told Indian Masterminds.
A VISION FOR CHANGE
The officer and her team raised awareness about the project and appointed expert self-defense trainers who would take 4-5 weeks of extended classes, generally scheduled in tribal hostels where residential facilities are already there and classes can be held easily.
“We initially mobilized resources from the police department itself as we have self-defense trainers, combat masters, and trained students among others. The impact was very encouraging and gradually, we started getting calls from various tribal institutions who invited us to conduct the program in their institutions as well,” shared Ms. Gupta.
BEYOND SELF-DEFENCE
The Himmat initiative not only equipped tribal girls with self-defense skills but also imparted legal knowledge and career guidance. This multifaceted approach not only reduced crime rates but also led to a decline in school dropouts among girls. As a result, parents were encouraged to invest in their daughters’ education, breaking the cycle of premature marriages and human trafficking.
“We also selected some of the girls who were extremely enthusiastic to do well in sports. We provided them with advanced training and they participated in the traditional malkham sports. Some of them got selected in national-level tournaments. The group was prepared and represented rope malkham in various district and state level administrative programs which was very encouraging,” she told Indian Masterminds.
AMPLIFYING VOICES
Recognizing the power of dialogue, the officer and her team conducted regular sessions on women’s rights. By encouraging tribal women to voice their concerns, the initiative broke the silence that perpetuated oppressive practices. These sessions not only raised awareness but also instilled a sense of empowerment among the women.
POLICE MITAN: STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY BONDS
To bolster the initiative, local police Mitan were established, acting as friends and allies for tribal women. These community liaisons played a pivotal role in reporting crimes against women and preventing incidents such as child marriages.
“The synergy between the police force and the community became a cornerstone in sustaining the progress initiated by Himmat,” she shared.
RECOGNITIONS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
Ms. Gupta’s exemplary efforts were acknowledged when she received the prestigious International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership Award in community policing.
Furthermore, the Himmat initiative was recognized with the ‘Nexus of Good’ FICCI award, solidifying its status as a scalable and replicable model for empowering tribal women.
The officer’s Himmat initiative stands as a testament to the power of community-driven change. By providing tribal women with education, legal awareness, and self-defense skills, the initiative has not only reduced crime rates but also fostered a sense of independence and confidence among these women.
In breaking the barriers of gender inequality and violence, Ms. Gupta and her team have paved the way for a brighter and more empowered future for tribal women in Chhattisgarh.
