ABOUT US

WE ARE RED BRIGADE LUCKNOW

A Brief Introduction

Red Brigade Lucknow — Women Led organization

Red Brigade is a girls and young women survivors-led organization, aiming towards building a safe society and ensuring a zero-tolerance atmosphere towards sexual violence.

Founded in 2011 by Ms. Usha Vishwakarma, who herself is a survivor, alongside 15 adolescent girls, most of whom are survivors of sexual violence from marginalized communities (Dalit, Muslim, and Other Backward Communities). The organization cultivates leadership to empower survivors to reclaim their self-defense and self-image.

"Traversing from victims to survivors by challenging patriarchal mindsets, Red Brigade has transformed thousands of lives."

Starting from a small Basti in Madiyaon, Lucknow, Red Brigade has become a global pioneer in the fight against sexual violence. We have trained over 300,000 women and girls in our preventive self-defense technique, NISHASTRA, helping hundreds of survivors access justice and discover their strength.

With outreach spanning 500 villages and 500 schools and colleges across 20 states and 75 districts (including interventions in 150 villages and 250 schools within Lucknow itself), our work has been recognized in over 60 countries and featured in Forbes India (Top 20 Women Achievers 2020) and various international documentaries.

WE ARE RED BRIGADE LUCKNOW

Women Led organization and Building a Fearless Life of Women (FLOW)

Founded by Survivors

Founded in 2011 by Usha Vishwakarma and 15 adolescent girls, Red Brigade Lucknow has grown into a nationally recognized survivor-led movement working towards a society with Zero Tolerance towards Sexual Violence.

Leadership Transformation

Transforming Victims into Survivors, Survivors into Leaders, and Leaders into Agents of Social Change through self-defense, self-image building, justice, education, leadership, and economic empowerment.

NISHASTRA Impact

Trained more than 3,00,000 women and girls through NISHASTRA (New Instrument against Sexual Harassment and Stand Against Rape Aggression), a survivor-informed self-defense model developed from real-life experiences of women.

Grassroots Reach

Built a grassroots movement spanning 20+ States, 500+ Villages, and 500+ Educational Institutions including schools and colleges, empowering women and girls through collective action and leadership.

Powerful Network

Developed a strong network of trainers, volunteers, survivors, educators, social activists, legal professionals, and community leaders working together to create safer communities for women.

Comprehensive Support

Supported and rehabilitated more than 200 survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, harassment, and gender-based violence through counseling, legal aid, rehabilitation, education support, and access to justice.

Creative Awareness

Raised a powerful collective voice against sexual violence through more than 700 Street Plays (Nukkad Natak), awareness campaigns, public mobilizations, community dialogues, and advocacy initiatives.

Education & Sensitization

Conducted more than 2,000 seminars, workshops, self-defense training sessions, gender sensitization programs, and leadership development initiatives across educational institutions and communities.

Community Outreach

Impacted more than 20,000 lives through Bal Manch and community-based educational initiatives, supporting children and young women from marginalized communities.

Sustained Action

Promoted educational empowerment, women’s leadership, and community participation through programs such as 100 Days–100 Schools, 100 Days–100 Villages, Mission Shakti, Sashakt Kishori, Hinsa Mukt Jeevan, Veerangana Vahini, and National Women’s Day campaigns.

National Women's Day

Revived National Women’s Day as a people’s movement and promoted awareness about India’s women freedom fighters, women warriors, and contemporary women leaders to strengthen self-image and leadership among young women.

Economic Self-Reliance

Advanced economic self-reliance through skill development, entrepreneurship support, vocational training, and livelihood initiatives, enabling women to achieve financial independence and dignity.

Humanitarian Support

Extended humanitarian support during times of crisis through relief distribution, community outreach, nutrition support, and assistance to vulnerable families.

National Recognition

Recognized nationally and internationally for its pioneering work in women’s empowerment, survivor leadership, self-defense innovation, and grassroots social transformation.

The Vision of FLOW

Creating a Fearless Life of Women (FLOW) through Courage, Leadership, Equality, Justice, Dignity, and Collective Action.