Centre for Advocacy & Research - CFAR

30/03/2026

For many adolescents growing up in urban informal settlements, the question is not “What career do I choose?”
It is often “Do I have a choice at all?”

In Khoda, Ghaziabad—one of the largest informal settlements in the NCR—young people navigate a reality shaped by limited opportunities, early financial pressures, and deeply entrenched gender norms.

Over the last two years, through CFAR’s programme on challenging gender norms and expanding non-traditional livelihood pathways, we have engaged with this complexity—not just through skill-building, but by working at the intersection of aspiration, agency, and social norms.
The results are both encouraging—and instructive:

· 1,171 adolescents engaged (more than double the initial target)
· 872 girls participated, many stepping into spaces traditionally closed to them
· 3,000+ community members reached through dialogue and engagement
· 101 adolescents transitioned into private sector employment

But beyond the numbers, what stands out are the shifts that are harder to measure:

· Girls beginning to imagine careers beyond traditional roles
· Increased confidence to navigate public spaces and express aspirations
· Families opening up to conversations around daughters’ education and work
· Youth leaders emerging from within the community, creating safe spaces for peer dialogue

This report is not just a documentation of outcomes.
It is a reflection on what it takes to move from exposure to aspiration and to seizing the opportunity in contexts where the starting line itself is unequal.
You can read the full evaluation report here:

https://cfar.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CFAR_Evaluation-Report-Phase-I.pdf

We would value insights from practitioners, donors, and partners working at the intersection of youth empowerment, gender, and livelihoods—especially on how we can strengthen the transition from skills to sustained employment and empowerment outcomes.

-NULM DAY- NULM Trust NGO India Limited Foundation for Inclusive Growth Foundation Mobile Initiative Unilever (HUL) Cipla

24/03/2026

Dausa: Rewriting the Script on Water Rights

This World Water Day, the community in Dausa didn't just share grievances—they negotiated solutions. In a landmark dialogue between PHED, CFAR, and Ward Committees, a formal proposal was submitted to institutionalize "Jal Sathis."

The Dausa Blueprint:
Community Co-Leadership: CMC members proposed that "Jal Sathis" be officially integrated with PHED to manage rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
Accountability: A resolution was submitted for immediate household connections and a "Summer Contingency Plan" (tankers and storage) for at-risk wards.
Voices at the Center: The workshop’s heart was an interactive session with local women, ensuring their daily struggles directly inform PHED's technical fixes.
When the community leads and the system responds, water security becomes a reality.

24/03/2026

In Chaksu, water is no longer just a grievance—it’s a shared mission.

On World Water Day 2026, the community moved beyond highlighting the heavy burden on women and children to building a blueprint for the future. Through a collaborative dialogue between PHED, CFAR, and residents of Wards 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9, the conversation shifted from "what is broken" to "how we fix it together."

The Shift: From Residents to 'Jal Sathis'
Infrastructure is only half the battle. To ensure these systems last, community members are stepping up as Jal Sathis (Water Friends) to:
· Monitor local supply and report leaks.
· Advocate for responsible, waste-free water use.
· Bridge the gap between the department and the household.

"Under AMRUT 2.0, ₹12 crore has been allocated for Chaksu. We are moving forward to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water; residents can expect significant relief in the coming days." — Mr. Nanakram Bairwa, Assistant Engineer, PHED.

In Chaksu, the system is responding—and the community is leading the way.



UNICEF India

23/03/2026

Water is not just a service. It is dignity, time, and equality.

On World Water Day 2026, the community of Dausa shifted the narrative from grievance to governance. In a powerful Public Hearing with the PHED and CFAR, local women and leaders put the lived realities of disrupted water supply—lost education for girls and gruelling labor for women—at the centre of the table.

A New Model of Co-Leadership

The most significant breakthrough wasn't just the timeline, but the partnership. PHED has officially invited the Community Management Committees to:

· Identify high-risk "dry zones."
· Monitor daily supply gaps.
· Co-manage local water distribution.

"We are committed to ensuring uninterrupted water supply to every household." — Mr. B.L. Meena, Superintendent Engineer, PHED Dausa.

11/03/2026

When women step forward, cities move forward.

On International Women’s Day, nearly 600 citizens in Bhubaneswar came together under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”

From a women-led Pada Yatra to recognising community champions, the celebration highlighted how women are shaping healthier and cleaner urban spaces.

Through the SAMPURNA platform, partners including Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, National Urban Health Mission and Centre for Advocacy and Research reinforced a powerful message:

When women lead civic action- from sanitation awareness to public health- communities become stronger and cities become more inclusive.



Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban MoHUA INDIA, Niua India

24/02/2026

Job Alert! We are hiring....
To Apply Click Here: https://cfar.org.in/careers/

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DevNetJobsIndia.org

02/02/2026

Republic Day recognition for women who lead from the ground up.
Grassroots women leaders were honoured for strengthening governance, promoting welfare schemes, and protecting women and children at the Gram Panchayat level.
Honoured leaders:

• Sarifan Bano – Ward Member & Women’s Support Group leader, Chundri
• Guddi Devi – Gram Sathin, Roopangarh (Lado Scheme, violence prevention)
• Safedi Bai Meena – Gram Sathin & Master Trainer, Todabhim (child marriage prevention)
• Urmila Devi – Gram Sathin & Master Trainer, Bhadra (child marriage & violence prevention)
Recognised on Republic Day. Leading communities every day.

31/01/2026

17/01/2026

Job Alert! We are hiring....

To Apply Click Here: https://lnkd.in/gycAQF2G

24/12/2025

Season’s greetings

04/12/2025

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram felicitated the CFAR-supported Community Helpdesk for proving how community leadership can transform governance.

The women-led Single Window Helpdesk has been pivotal, enabling 2,147 PwDs to access vital schemes (UDID Cards, Pensions, Health IDs) in 2024-25. This success highlights the power of sustained coordination between the community and administration.

Mr. Mahesh Patil, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Maharashtra, stressed that lasting transformation requires a shift in social attitudes and administrative practices to ensure the dignity and development of PwDs.

But the community reminds us of the real task ahead:
“Policies exist, but the gaps on the ground need sustained attention.” — Ms. Babita Sadbhaiya, Helpdesk Member