Blog

On August 28, 2025, independent researcher Ms. Carolina Rota from the University of Oxford spent a day engaging deeply with domestic workers and women from the community. Her visit aimed to understand women’s lived experiences, challenges, and resilience within their social and economic environments.

Ms. Rota conducted several one-on-one interviews and informal group discussions, encouraging participants to share their personal stories and perspectives. Her ability to communicate fluently in Hindi helped bridge barriers, allowing genuine and heartfelt exchanges that reflected the strength and solidarity of the women she met.

The interaction provided valuable insights into the intersection of gender, livelihood, and empowerment in community settings. It also highlighted the importance of cross-cultural learning and academic collaboration in amplifying the voices of grassroots women.

Project STOP deeply values such meaningful engagements that connect global research with local realities, fostering understanding, respect, and empowerment through dialogue and shared learning.

On 12th August 2025, the Tughlakabad Community Centre hosted a Legal Literacy Session in collaboration with the Migration & Asylum Project (MAP). The program created a safe and empowering space for women, ensuring they are better informed about their rights, protections, and access to justice.

🔹 Highlights

• 35 women beneficiaries actively participated
• STOP Team: Paridhi Negi (Project Associate), Gulnuma (Centre In-charge), Saanvi Rajput (Caregiver)
• MAP Facilitators: Poonam, Deepika, Vidya, Promo, Khyati

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🔹 Main Topics Covered

• Domestic Violence → Understanding different forms of abuse and complaint mechanisms (112, Mahila Thana, Sakhi Centres)
• Dowry → Legal provisions under IPC & Dowry Prohibition Act, and how women can take action
• Labour Rights → Minimum wages, working hours, overtime rules, etc.
• Essential Documents → Guidance on Aadhaar, PAN, etc.

Let’s stand united against injustice

We are proud to announce a unique mentorship opportunity conducted in Tigri, specially designed for the students of Tigri, led by two distinguished leaders in public service and academia.

Meet the Mentors:

Shri Amitava Bhattacharyya

• Retired IAS Officer
• Former Chief Information Commissioner
• Renowned expert in governance, transparency, and public administration

Prof. (Dr.) Ranjana Bhattacharya

• Retired Professor and Academic Leader
• Expert in education, leadership, and research methodologies

Why Did Tigri Students Join This Mentorship Programme?

• Gain first-hand insights into administrative and academic excellence
• Learn leadership skills from seasoned experts with decades of experience
• Receive guidance on academic research and professional communication

This was a valuable chance for Tigri students to learn from legends and empower their future careers!

On 29th July 2025, STOP commemorated World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (TIP Day) with a vibrant and deeply moving community event held within its field intervention areas with an audience of 120 eager women, young girls and children. The celebration served as both a tribute to the courage of survivors and a bold call to action for everyone to combat human trafficking at the grassroots level.

The event opened with a gripping nukkad natak (street play) that laid bare the grim realities of how trafficking operates at the ground level—from deception to exploitation—urging spectators to recognize the signs and act against it. This was followed by a gripping nukkad natak (street play) stirring dance performance, symbolizing strength, resistance, and the unwavering confidence of communities in standing up against trafficking. A heartfelt poetry recitation encouraged every attendee to take a personal pledge against human trafficking, adding an emotional and reflective depth to the gathering.

Audience members spontaneously stepped forward to share their insights, with many expressing how STOP’s continued efforts have transformed their understanding of trafficking—not just as a crime, but as a systemic issue tied to socio-economic vulnerabilities.

Two distinguished guest speakers added powerful perspectives to the event:

• Retd. IAS Officer Amitava Bhattacharyya emphasized that while every individual perceives trafficking differently, the collective fight must remain united and uncompromising, as human trafficking is intricately connected to other forms of organized crime.
• Prof. (Dr.) Ranjana Bhattacharya echoed the call for unity, stating that the strength of our resistance lies in breaking the barriers—legal, social, and cultural—that enable trafficking to persist.

Hosts Manpreet Kaur and Saanvi Rajput, both staff members of STOP, guided the event with empathy and resolve, repeatedly emphasizing the role of small yet profound actions in making communities resilient to trafficking.

Narayani Bhattacharya, Documentation Officer of STOP, shed light on how trafficking infiltrates homes and neighborhoods and underscored the importance of building household-level awareness. She passionately highlighted the cross-border vulnerabilities in Darjeeling, Southern West Bengal, and Uttarakhand, reminding participants of the critical role of mahila mandals and youth groups in identifying and preventing trafficking networks.

Poonam Choudhary, Field Coordinator, and Mamta Gopal, Centre-In-Charge, spoke about the long-term, often irreversible impacts of human trafficking on victims, families, and communities. They urged everyone to take the pledge not just in word but in practice—by staying vigilant, informed, and united.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Paridhi Negi, Project Associate at STOP, who acknowledged the unwavering support of the community, the dedication of STOP’s Founder and staff, and the generosity of the local space-providers who made the day possible.

STOP’s TIP Day celebration was not just a commemoration—it was a reaffirmation. A reaffirmation of solidarity, courage, and the will to dismantle trafficking networks.