Tharuni was born to support Adolescent girls to lead a life where there is no discrimination. We believe that if you provide the right skills to a girl child, she can change the world.
In these 25 years since our inception in the year 2000 it was an eventful journey full of activism, heroism and sacrifice supporting more than 22,000 girls. We can proudly say that we have successfully worked on every challenge a girl child faces including Child Marriage, Child Labour, Human Trafficking, Child Sexual Abuse, Health and Livelihoods. We could create sustainable solutions for these problems which are being scaled up in the entire country. We have used all types of strategies existing in social development like Advocacy, Campaign, Creating Awareness, Training the implementing officials, Legal Activism, etc to minimise these social evils. It takes centuries for anyone to eradicate these issues from the society, but we could do it in a few decades by using a multipronged approach. Thanks to all the Donors, Granting Agencies, Corporates and Government agencies for believing in us and extending the required support. We are indebted to all of them and our most committed staff.
On this page we have documented some of the selected 25 Good and impactful things Tharuni did in these 25 years (2000-2025):
1. Tharuni’s Intervention Helped Undertrials Get Justice!
After seeing the plight of the under trial prisoners who were serving for more time than their punishment due the lack of police personnel to escort them to courts, Dr Mamatha filed a representation to the Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High court in the year 2001. This led to the establishment of ‘Videoconferencing trials’ & ‘Jail Adalats’’ in prisons and accordingly video conferencing facilities have been made available for granting bails to the prisoners.
2. Tharuni helps improve Nutrition among Girls
Fights deficiency of Iron and Folic acid leading to Anemia
When Dr Mamatha saw that almost all the girls studying in the Government run schools are suffering with anaemia, she wrote to the Commissioner, Department of Women and Child Welfare in the year 2001 to supply iron tablets in the schools. This has become a regular practice now in all the Govt run schools since then.
3. THARUNI BALIKA SANGHAS
Dr Mamatha studied the Self Help Group (SHGs) concept and started the ‘Balika Sanghas’ exclusively for Adolescent Girls to bring unity to fight their problems and to create a forum for them to learn and contribute to the betterment of their communities. Since the year 2002, more than 600 Balika Sanghas (Girl Child Clubs) were formed involving 21,000 Adolescent Girls under the age group of 10 to 20 years in various villages of old Warangal district. Through these Balika Sanghas, Tharuni averted child marriages, dropping from schools and being trafficked. The Government of Telangana now adopted this strategy and initiated the formation of Balika Sanghas in all villages in the state under the name of ‘SNEHA Clubs’ with the technical partnership of Tharuni NGO and UNICEF realising the importance of these girl child clubs.
4. Tharuni Combats Child Marriages
Tharuni while organising the first Balika Mela (Girls Collective) in the year 2001 came to know that child marriages are rampant in the Telangana region. In that Mela first child marriage was stopped by Dr Mamatha who is instrumental in bringing out a new enactment against Child Marriages by filing a Public Interest Litigation in the National Human Rights Commission in 2005 & was part of the Parliamentary Committee to bring out this new Law – Prohibition of Child Marriages Act 2006.
Stopped more than 2000 Child Marriages and could help the victims continue their education. Filed 78 cases under Prohibition of Child Marriages Act 2006 in different courts to stop some of these child marriages.
5. THARUNI OOYALA
Tharuni Ooyala – a cradle program for abandoned girl children was initiated to stop Infanticide. Could save 34 girl children within three months of project initiation, who were later given for adoption to childless couples. This initiative has been scaled up to other districts by the State Government. Later this program was converted to Restitution of unwanted infants where the babies are given to the Government by the parents through Anganwadi workers who were later given for adoption.
6. ‘NO GIRL – NO WORLD’
Massive Campaign was taken up by Tharuni on Foeticide & Infanticide with the theme ‘No Girl – No World’ by sensitizing public, training of Government officials & Medical Fraternity along with conducting Medical Audit of Scanning Centers. Tharuni also organized Bikethons to sensitize the public on the importance of the Girl-child.
7. SAY NO TO CHILD LABOUR
Tharuni’s Fight for Child Rights
More than 370 child labourers rescued from Ginning Mills & Brick-kilns who were mainstreamed into regular schools in collaboration with UNICEF in the year 2008 to 2010. But Tharuni continues to work with the communities since then so the children again don’t drop out from schools. About four thousand girls were given education support through Rural Resource Centres in the six villages adjacent to the 100 Ginning Mills in Geesukonda Mandal, Warangal district, Telangana. The girls receive tutions in important subjects, spoken English and martial arts along with livelihood trainings. The ninth batch of girls are continuing their training in these centres now.
8. EMPOWERING ADOLESCENT GIRLS THROUGH VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Tharuni is Transforming Lives, Building Futures
Livelihood training for Adolescent girls is a far cry as they are below 18 years and they don’t fit into any of the Government schemes. Tharuni saw that through these Vocational training the child marriages can be stopped. Hence in these 25 years livelihood training have become an important activity for all Balika Sangha members under various projects. It started with a Chalkpiece unit in 2003 supplying Chalkpieces to all Government schools in Warangal district Later from cycles repair to Computer training was organised. More than 10,000 adolescent girls got benefitted from these trainings. About 250 young women from Naxalite hit areas were trained to get job placements in various sectors in the cities in collaboration with the police. Presently the skill centre set up exclusively for child rape victims is giving them a new meaning to their lives.
9. CAMPAIGN AGAINST GUTKA
Tharuni had taken up a Campaign against Sale of Gutka near Educational Institutions which resulted in imposing a Ban in 2002 on the sale of Gutka by the District Collectors of Warangal and Karimnagar districts for the first time in the state. Subsequently the State Government extended this ban to all Gutka products, Pan Masala and Zarda in the entire state of united Andhra Pradesh. Tharuni ran a campaign called “Gutkatho Gutukku” and staged 300 puppet shows in various villages & schools to educate people about the evils of Gutka and mouth throat cancer.
10. THARUNI SANDHYA FORUMS FOR THE AGED (FFAS)
RESPECTFUL LIFE, DIGNITY FOR EVERY ELDERLY PERSON
Established Forums for the Aged (FFAs) to help them have a respectful life. About 1200 elderly men & women were supported through this program called ‘Tharuni Sandhya’. It was intended to give a respectful life to elderly who have been neglected by their families. Livelihood programs for the aged was one of the initiatives of this project and this model was later scaled up to different parts of India by Helpage India NGO.
11. THARUNI’S UNICEF PILOT PROJECT ON HIV/AIDS
Tharuni organized a UNICEF Pilot project on HIV/AIDS for Self Help Group women, Adolescent Girls and Youth in 200 villages in Warangal District covering 90,000 people supported by UNICEF and AP. Government. This massive program was very successful and could bring down the cases of HIV in this district. Later a special program was taken up by Tharuni for Tribals and prepared training modules in their Sugali language and brought awareness among Lambada tribals in 450 habitations using the services of educated tribal students.
12. RURAL RESOURCE CENTERS FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS
Rural Resource Centres for adolescent girls have been established in 2013 to train them in soft skills, life skills, Martial arts & livelihood skills. Created a Safe space with a library, sports, Computers and internet facility for the rural girls who never aspire to get such things. More than 6400 girls have been trained till date with the support of Hexagon Capability Centre, Hyderabad in 6 villages and later by Azim Premji Foundation in 25 villages. At present 9 such centres are being run in rural villages of Warangal district, Telangana. The girls get their computer certification from NIIT Foundation.
13. THARUNI SWECHA – CYCLE TO SCHOOL
Cutting across the odds of the lack of transportation in villages, which are resulting in school dropouts, through ‘Tharuni Swecha – Cycle to School’ programme, Tharuni is donating bicycles to girl children to help them attend school daily since the year 2015. Till now 900 cycles were donated with the help of many donors to the rural needy girls giving them Freedom through Mobility.The girls got not only freedom through mobility but also could attend different training classes to empower themselves using these bicycles.
14. THARUNI SWECHA PROGRAM
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH MOBILITY
Another novel initiative by Tharuni is ‘Swecha’ program which encourages women to be mobile by conducting two-wheeler training, both geared and non-geared, thereby encouraging freedom through mobility. About 250 women were trained in driving two wheelers along with motorcycles in the Training track created by Hyderabad Traffic police and Hero Motors in Begumpet, Hyderabad. The trainers were from Bikernis, Hyderabad – a women bikers group. This has been scaled up by the Government and MOWO company as a regular program training thousands of women to drive two wheelers, autos and card in the city.
15. SAMAGRA GRAMEENA VIKASAM INITIATIVE
KATRAPALLY – A MODEL VILLAGE TRANSFORMATION
A remote village Katrapally in Rayaparthi mandal, Warangal was converted into a Model Village under Samagra Grameena Vikasam initiative. Promoting the concept of collective planning and execution of village developmental works by rational utilization of available resources, which will help them to evolve as model villages with involvement of the villagers was done through this concept.100 farmers were encouraged to cultivate Lemon grass and a tripartite agreement was made between State Bank of India, Medicinal Plant Board, Government of Andhra Pradesh and a exporter where extraction of lemon oil was taken up. It was very successful project improving the financial status of these micro farmers. 450 toilets were constructed under a Government scheme with the help all villagers and was nominated for Swatch Bharat award. The village once most backward is now the most prosperous one in the district and follows all the rules of Samagra Grameena Vikasam.
16. Tharuni Newsletter
Tharuni runs a quarterly Magazine – THARUNI Newsletter, focusing on different issues related to women & girls along with inspiring stories for adolescent girls. Till today 40 issues have been produced. One of the founder of Tharuni Dr Hemalatha Devi who is a retired Professor in Journalism runs these magazines. This newsletter received lot of recognition from girl students and teachers in the State. But alas after COVID this newsletter has been paused.
17. THARUNOPAYAM – 9000243000
Tharuni runs a unique SMS Help Line named ‘THARUNOPAYAM’ (9000243000) for Girls & Women. Tharuni could help more than 2000 girls through this help line. Anyone can approach this helpline through SMS and geṭ prompt help on issues concerning adolescent girls and women. Now it is updated to WhatsApp. Many suicides were everted through this helpline. This concept was presented in an International Conference and Myanmar Government took it up as a strategy for women during disasters.
18. THARUNI SUPPORTS RURAL TOURISM
In collaboration with the Department of Tourism & Culture, Telangana
Tharuni supports Rural Tourism in collaboration with Department of Tourism & Culture, Telangana, by helping provide a livelihood for the Cherial painters who are practicing the dying Nakashi art and Pembarthi Bronze Metal Sheet Artisans.They were trained in redesigning their art and given exposure visits to other similar artisan sites in India helping them to understand the markets. An Interpretation Centre at Cheriyal, Siddhipet has been created by Tharuni, getting a one acre Government land allocated and constructing this centre to popularize Nakashi Art & train local youth in this dying art. More than five years of support given to these Artisans made them prosperous and could get many awards.
19. THARUNI’S FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Tharuni works for reducing the vulnerability of girls and women to Human Trafficking in the state of Telangana. Tharuni ran many programs to sensitize different stakeholders on this issue and prevented hundreds of girls from being trafficked. These initiatives have been supported by the State Government, police, & British High commission, Hyderabad. Tharuni developed a unique Knowledge Portal – dhruvaaht.org for police personnel for E-learning on Human Trafficking. Dr Mamatha attended a three weeks training in US on Human Trafficking as part of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) in 2009. Her experience helped in developing the training modules for police officers to strengthen Anti- Human Trafficking units. She also presented in a UN conference in Vienna Austria in 2018 on how Balika Sanghas – Girl Child Clubs can prevent trafficking which was well received.
20. Tharuni – BHAROSA Support Centres
THARUNI IS THE TECHNICAL PARTNER TO TELANGANA POLICE
Tharuni is the Technical Partner to Telangana Police in the establishment and running of Bharosa – Support Centres for women and children who are the victims of sexual violence. These centres cater to rape victims providing integrated & one-stop services like psycho-therapatic, legal, police, rehabilitation, etc. There is a Special Child friendly Court attached to Bharosa Center in Hyderabad. Till now more than 24,000 women and children were supported through 29 centres in 29 districts. The Supreme Court of India appreciated this initiative and asked the Central Government to set up such centres in every district in Tharuni could support Jammu and Kashmir Government in strengthening similar centres in their state. Tharuni contributed nine years of voluntary service to Telangana police in conceptulizing, strengthening, developing Operational guidelines and successfully running these Bharosa centres and is the only Non-Police member in the Executive committee of Bharosa which is registered as a Non-profit organization. Twenty buildings were constructed by Corporate companies for these centres in various districts making this program as a unique and successful partnership between Government, Corporate and the Non-profit, Tharuni.
Project Safe Childhood
Tharuni took up “Project Safe Childhood”, supported by British Deputy High Commission, Hyderabad to principally sensitize and train Teachers, Parents, Police and Prosecution Officers to reduce vulnerability from Sexual Abuse and online abuse among school children in Hyderabad. The communication materials developed in this project are being used by the Juvenile Welfare Department, Telangana in all children homes in the State.
Tharuni Swalambana
Tharuni also started a Rehabilitation and Skill centre – Tharuni Swalambana to support child sexual abuse victims to fill the lacuna of having a Rehab for such victims in Telangana. It is a 50 bedded centre offering training for these victims in Life Skills, Livelihood skills, Martial arts, along with Trauma care and psychiatry support. It helps in building their confidence to rebuild their lives.
21. Tharuni Gurukul
A UNIQUE CONCEPT SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN OF DOMESTIC WORKERS
Tharuni runs a Concept School by name ‘Tharuni Gurukul’ for children of Domestic Workers in Hyderabad. This is an unique concept school being run by one of the Tharuni founders, Dr Hemalatha Devi since the year 2005. This school runs on Sundays and in Summer Holidays. The children are taught Carnatic Music, Drawing & Painting, Sloka recital and Life Skills. A free tailoring centre is also being run for the women. Whole generations of children have benefitted from this school, and Dr Hemalatha helped many girls continue their education by giving financial support and tuitions.
22. Tharuni – Childline India Foundation
FIRST EVER CHILD HELP LINE IN WARANGAL
Tharuni in collaboration with Childline India Foundation had run a Railway Child Help Desk at Warangal Railway Station in collaboration with Childline India Foundation. More than 400 children have been rescued through this initiative. Many children are run away children or from neglected families. They were all given support for placement in good children homes to continue their studies. Families of these children were counselled on parenting. It was an unique opportunity for Tharuni to help the children who are in need of care and protection.
Tharuni also ran the first of its kind child help line in tribal areas in Eturunagaram, Warangal district. About 250 tribal children were supported for schooling and nutrition in collaboration with the district administration and Childline India Foundation.
23. THARUNI LEGAL ACTIVISM & AID
Advocating for justice and safety to Women
Legal Activism & Lagal Aid: Tharuni filled 128 public interest litigations in various courts in India to support the needy women and children which is a great achievement for any NGO. Tharuni won in almost all the cases bringing changes in the Laws, policies and programs.
NILA (Network of International Legal Activists)
Tharuni started a legal network named NILA (Network of International Legal Activists) in collaboration with Vasantha Lakshmi Foundation to help women & children from all over the world. Through this Network could help in more than 100 cases from 7 countries since 2015 and could help the Ministry of Labour, Government of India in Policy making for NRI marriage related Domestic violence. NILA started “NRI Women Safety Cell’ in the Women Safety wing of Telangana police in 2018 and supported more than 500 women who are suffering marital disputes in their marriage with Non-Resident Indians.
24. THARUNI MITRA AWARDS
Instituted in 2017 to honour remarkable Men
Tharuni lets women nominate all those wonderful men who’ve always stood for them as much as they’ve stood for themselves. All the selected men are therefore felicitated as ‘Tharuni Mitras’ for more men to be inspired and follow suit. This event happens on International Women’s Day every year. About 114 extraordinary Men have been honoured with Tharuni Mitra Awards from 2017 till date creating an opportunity to felicitate these men who implement Gender equality in life.
Balura Sanghas for Boys
Tharuni also runs Balura Sanghas for Boys in the age group of 10 to 14 years in rural areas to train them to be Gender aware and break the gender stereotypes in their lives. They are mobilised using sports and science fairs unearthing their talents. The mothers of these boys measure the change in these boys.
25. ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS AND HONOURS
Tharuni won many awards and honours. Received Two Awards for Children Films produced by Girls from Tharuni in UNICEF Children Film Festival – ‘My Frames 2010’. The girls were trained by Ns Surekha Adimulam, Joint Secretary, Tharuni who was inturn trained in film making by Central University of Hyderabad and UNICEF. Out of six short films produced by Tharuni, five were screened and two received Awards.
Tharuni was awarded as Best NGO by NTR Trust on 11/11/2011 during ‘Swaraveda’ programme and honoured by Hon’ble Governor of Telangana on International Women’s Day 2020.
Tharuni’s film on Balika Sanghas “Girl power” won the second place in the documentary category at Central Illinois Feminist Film Festival 2023.
