Nirnaya, was the first women’s fund set up to make a difference in the lives of the marginalized women in urban and rural areas, and enhance their decision making capacity.

Over the years, for various reasons, marginalized women, who comprise almost 30% of our society, are being relegated to the background. Mostly confined to home and hearth and denied even basic education, their presence is being made inconsequential. This has not only eroded their self -confidence but has weakened them socially and economically. Violence and atrocities against them have become more a norm than exception.

This is a dangerous trend, if allowed to continue. It will not only affect 30% of our population, but will also set off regressive tendencies in our society.

The only solution to the problem is to recenter these women by making them economically and socially strong, supporting them financially and improving their skill base.

Nirnaya is working towards this by helping women form self-help groups, both for economic and social empowerment, enhancing their skill base, promoting entrepreneurship and other livelihoods. The other two crucial areas identified, are literacy / education for women and girls which will create awareness about their legal and other rights and help them claim a rightful place in society.

As a strategy to create the critical mass necessary for bringing about a quantum change in society , Nirnaya funds women with ability to motivate and organize community women.

Apart from this, Nirnaya believes that a change from within is very essential; therefore, it has been working at sensitizing the society to the problems of marginalized women, and raise the public consciousness.