Dear AVI Supporter,   

2018 has been an important year for women. In the UK we have celebrated 100 years since British women first received the right to vote. Around the world we have witnessed the global tidal waves of the #metoo movement, as women, joined by men, speak out against widespread sexual assault, harassment and abuses of power. Every country still needs to make significant strides in the pursuit of true gender equality – in India, this is especially so.   

Despite the fact that there have been many advances in the position of women in some strata of Indian society, the majority of the 600 million women in India continue to face discrimination on a daily basis. This is particularly true for the 70% of Indian women who live in rural areas, working in agriculture and carrying the burden of domestic and child-rearing duties, often with a severe lack of access to suitable healthcare and education. Dalit women or those from scheduled castes suffer double discrimination. Indeed, a recent survey found India to be the most dangerous country in the world to be a woman due to levels of sexual violence and oppressive cultural traditions.   

For over 25 years, Action Village India has been working through its partners to impact the lives of women and girls in India, to enable them to stand up for their rights and to gain social mobility.    This year, we are asking you to join us in supporting them so they too can choose a different way of life.   

Thank you for your support.