About Mitr Sanketha

At Mitr Sanketha, we are dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of women and domestic workers in India. With millions of individuals engaged in domestic work, especially women and young girls, we strive to promote fair labor practices, social justice, and empowerment.

We work closely with communities to provide skill development, advocacy, and access to government schemes, ensuring better opportunities and protections for domestic workers. Our initiatives focus on fighting labor trafficking, preventing exploitation, and fostering a future where domestic workers receive the dignity and respect they deserve.

Our Vision-

Envision an egalitarian society free of any form of servitude.

Our Mission-

Our mission is to empower women against gender-based violence and to enable domestic workers to access opportunities and live with dignity, enjoying all the rights accorded to every human being.

History

Our History

Mitr Sanketha, a trust registered in Bangalore and represented by the community-based organization Stree Jagruti Samiti, was founded in response to a tragic case of violence against a young girl in police custody. This incident sparked a movement for justice and dignity, forming the foundation of the organization’s work.

With roots in South Bangalore and extending to Belgaum and Mangalore, the organization began addressing issues in urban settlements — ranging from education and health services to housing and violence against women. For over three decades, Mitr Sanketha has led numerous community-based interventions and campaigns rooted in constitutional values, emphasizing the inclusion of marginalized women in decision-making and governance.

In 2007, amidst the rapid changes brought by globalization and the expansion of the informal economy, the organization supported the formation of domestic workers’ collectives. These collectives have since advocated tirelessly for workplace safety, recognition, social security, and the regulation of live-in domestic work, bringing attention to forced labour and trafficking concerns.

Throughout its journey, Mitr Sanketha has conducted investigations and research on the conditions of nearly 10 lakh domestic workers in Karnataka, consistently fighting for accessible healthcare, legal rights, and dignified work environments.

Our Key Objectives

To raise the issue of gender-based violence both in society and in the workplace.

To prevent the exploitation of child domestic workers through rescue, rehabilitation, and advocacy for their rights to protection, education, and a life free from forced labor.

To advocate with Government and employers for rights, respect, and fair treatment in domestic works.

To empower domestic workers who are part of unorganized sector to recognise their identity and asset their rights.

To facilitate civic entitlements and support system for domestic workers and their families to access help during crises.

To build commuunity awareness on rights of domestic workers to facilitate an enabling environment for domestic workers to work with dignity.

To equip women in domestic work to fight against all forms of violence both within their own homes and in their working places(other homes).

To identify cases of labour exploitation and labour trafficking and work with the criminal justice system for justice.