The Green Army In UP Is Smashing Patriarchy And Rising Against Social Evils, Support Their Mission

The ghoonghat, the purdah, or simply put, the veil, is considered to be a sign of oppression and patriarchy. But what happens when these ghoonghat-clad women rise up in arms and decide to end the years of violence that have been meted out to them? 

That’s exactly what happened almost 9 years ago when members of a student-led NGO, Hope Welfare Trust, met Asha Devi in the small village of Kushiyari. Married at the tender age of 14, Asha Devi’s life has always been one of struggle, as it is for most women in rural India. Despite utter poverty and suffering at the hands of her abusive, alcoholic husband, she silently carried on with her household responsibilities. Until one incident that changed her life forever. 

Asha Devi’s struggles gave birth to a movement to empower vulnerable and marginalised women in rural India   

It was during the festival season when Asha was cooking for her family. Little did she know that her husband would pour hot oil on her, nearly killing her. Asha writhed and cried in pain as they took her to the hospital, where she spent days fighting for her life. But Asha Devi is a fighter - she survived the attack and decided that she wouldn’t stand for his abuse any longer. Together with Hope Welfare Trust, Green Army was formed under the stewardship of Ravi Mishra and Divyanshu Upadhyay, both Banaras Hindu University pass-outs and young changemakers. Clad in green-coloured sarees and armed with a baton, these women were determined to reform society. 

“The main aim of forming this group was to empower women from backward sections of society to come out of their abusive households and take a stand against oppression, and sexual and domestic violence. We taught them to read and write and told them about the inspiring stories of Rani Laxmibai and Jyotiba Phule. Armed with self-defense techniques and the power of knowledge, these women were ready to create a huge difference,” - Divyanshu Upadhyay, Secretary, Hope Welfare Trust 

This movement soon spread to Deora, Jagadeopur, and Bhadarsi villages of Varanasi where about 40 percent of the 12,000-odd men were addicted to the two vices. Things started to look up as these women visited the secluded addas, destroying liquor bottles and playing cards. Their efforts were recognised by the UP government which integrated it with its flagship campaign ‘Mission Shakti’, which is aimed at promoting the security, dignity, and empowerment of women. 

Together with the government agencies and police forces, the Green Army is now raising their voices against the dowry system, child marriage, female foeticide, and superstition in around 150 villages across several districts in the state including Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ayodhya, Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Baliya, Tungabhadra and Jaunpur.

But their fight doesn’t end here. These women now dream of financial independence. They want to be able to earn enough so that they no longer have to be dependent on their fathers, husbands, and brothers for money and they can walk out of any abusive household

But what these women are demanding is a herculean task and requires support from all corners  

Hope Welfare Trust is working tirelessly to help these women set up different kinds of factories like bag-making, stitching, container-making, etc. For this, they need wooden carts, sewing machines, Donal Patta production setup as well as support with their skill training programs so that more and more women can become financially independent. 

“These women have once faced terrible atrocities. No one valued them or their capabilities. Now with many others beside them and giving them much-needed support, they are ready to scale new heights. With your love and generosity, their dreams are sure to come true.” 

Besides, the products for the factories, you can also donate groceries and clothes which will be used by the Green Army to distribute among old, sick, and pregnant women in the villages. Every donation you make is going to make a difference in the lives of thousands of marginalised women in Uttar Pradesh. 

About Green Army and Hope Welfare Trust: Almost 9 years ago members of a student-led NGO, Hope Welfare Trust, met Asha Devi in the small village of Kushiyari. Asha Devi had been a victim of domestic violence almost all her life. But she was finally mustering the courage to fight back against this evil.  Together with Hope Welfare Trust, Green Army was formed under the stewardship of Ravi Mishra and Divyanshu Upadhyay, both Banaras Hindu University pass-outs and young changemakers. Clad in green-coloured sarees and armed with a baton, these women were determined to reform society. Hope Welfare Trust aims to bring sustainable development to rural communities, with women’s empowerment playing a key role.