About Us

Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan) was started by a group of students from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1984. Some of the women students were getting aware of the secondary status of women through their own experiences as women. The emergence of the autonomous women’s movement in the country have also created a great impact on these students, their urge to start a women’s organisation in Baroda was strengthened.

The organisation was initiated by women for women, with the long term aim to work towards a society, which is free from any form of inequality, injustice and atrocity. A society in which women have equal status and recognition as a human being.

We Believe……..

We are living in an unequal society. Economic, social, religious and cultural inequalities as well as gender based inequalities are deep rooted in our social structures. Women from all classes, castes and culture are affected by gender based inequalities, but Dalit and tribal women, working-class women and women from minority communities also face marginalisation due to their class, cast and community along with gender based inequalities.

Inequality, oppression and exploitation of women are not rooted in the biological differences between men and women but in the cultural values and socio-economic structures of the society. They are not natural but have been created by human beings. To eradicate these inequalities, it is essential that all people, irrespective of their gender, participate in the movement for social change.

The deciding members of Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan) can only be women. But in our programs, campaigns and ideologies, we have always welcomed and received valuable contributions from gender sensitive male members of the society.