Green Army

The rural fabric of India is still characterised by various social evils which perpetuate in society in the forms of; domestic violence, addiction to alcohol or other harmful substances and gambling. All these are interlinked and pose a greater threat to the environment which makes it difficult for the vulnerable section which comprises of; women and children. Along with these, hunger, rampant poverty and societal discrimination are also persistent problems which are present in society. 

In order to tackle these issues, Hope Welfare Trust has initiated a mission to empower these marginalized women through various programs. Their multipronged approach includes literacy initiatives, awareness about government schemes, health education, and self-defence training, aiming to break the generational chains of oppression.

What is Green Army?

The Green Army is a grassroots initiative formed under the Hope Welfare Trust, aimed at empowering women in rural India to combat domestic violence and various social evils. Established in 2015 in the village of Kushiyari, this movement has grown significantly, involving thousands of women across several districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Ayodhya.

Key Features of Green Army:- 

 Collective Empowerment: The Green Army consists of groups of 1525 women who unite to advocate for their rights and support each other in overcoming challenges related to domestic abuse, substance addiction, and societal discrimination.

 Social Reform: The initiative actively works to eradicate deeply rooted issues such as alcoholism, gambling, dowry practices, and superstitions. Members engage with local communities to promote education for girls and improve overall village conditions.

 Self-Defense and Training: Women in the Green Army receive training in self-defense and community safety, enabling them to protect themselves and take an active role in maintaining safety within their villages.

 Economic Independence: The Green Army promotes financial independence among women by facilitating skill development programs and establishing small enterprises such as sewing centers. This economic empowerment helps women break free from abusive relationships.

 Recognition and Support: The efforts of the Green Army have garnered attention from notable figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised their work in generating self-employment. This recognition boosts morale and encourages further community engagement.

Overall, the Green Army represents a transformative force in rural India, providing women with the tools they need to challenge oppression, advocate for their rights, and contribute positively to their communities.

Objectives of Green Army:

1. Empowerment through education 
2. Community safety and advocacy 
3. Promotion of sustainable practices 
4. Economic empowerment 
5. Social change initiatives 
6. Collaboration with local authorities 
7. Collective action for change 

How Green Army works? 

The Green Army intervenes in rural communities primarily to combat domestic violence and empower women, employing various problem-solving initiatives:

1. Empowerment and Awareness: The Green Army educates women about their rights and provides training on self-defense, enabling them to stand against domestic abuse and societal oppression. This includes raising awareness about fundamental rights and encouraging women to advocate for themselves.

2. Community Support and Counseling: Members of the Green Army offer counseling to both victims of domestic violence and their abusers. They engage in dialogue with men to address issues of violence and addiction, promoting non-violent resolutions while maintaining a focus on self-defense when necessary.

3. Collective Action: The Green Army operates as a self-help group, with approximately 1,800 members across various villages. By forming collectives of 25 women in each village, they create a support network that empowers individuals to confront abusive situations together.

4. Addressing Substance Abuse: The initiative has successfully reduced alcohol and drug addiction in many villages through proactive engagement and community activism, which helps create safer environments for women and children.

5. Promoting Education: The Green Army actively works towards educating girls and improving overall literacy rates within their communities. They have distributed bicycles to facilitate access to schools, thereby encouraging education among young girls.

6. Promotion of Sustainable Practices: The Green Army encourages environmental stewardship by promoting cleanliness, waste reduction, and the use of eco-friendly materials like jute bags.

7. Economic Independence: To foster financial freedom among women, the Green Army has initiated employment opportunities through sewing centers, vegetable carts, and snack stalls. They also support women in producing goods like diyas and pickles for sale under the brand “Swambhu,” which means ‘Independent’ in English.

8. Community Development Initiatives: Beyond individual empowerment, the Green Army aims to improve overall village conditions by tackling issues like dowry practices and superstitions, thereby fostering a healthier community environment.

9. Non-violent Intervention: While the Green Army is prepared to defend members against aggression, they prioritize non-violent methods of intervention, emphasizing dialogue and persuasion over physical confrontation.

10. Collaboration with Local Authorities: By interacting with local governing bodies, the Green Army ensures that government schemes effectively reach the intended beneficiaries, facilitating rural development.

Through these initiatives, the Green Army not only addresses immediate issues of domestic violence but also promotes long-term social change by empowering women and enhancing community resilience.

Impact of Green Group

• In the villages that host Green Group, social ills that have continued for generations like rampant hooch alcoholism and gambling have come to a halt because of the proactive activism shown by our trained women.
• In Naxal-affected areas, the Green Group keeps a sharp vigil to look out for potential antisocial activities and report any incidents to the police immediately.
• Incidences of domestic violence witnessed a sharp decline, courtesy of Green Group’s activities’
• Also, cases of child marriages have come to a halt due to efforts made for women’s empowerment
• Due to regular interaction with local governing bodies like gram panchayats and choupals, government schemes are made to effectively reach the intended beneficiaries leading to rural development
• Also, cases of child marriages have come to a halt due to efforts made for women’s empowerment
• Another green achievement is the increase in children’s enrolments in schools