We are all entitled to live a dignified life. However, due to societal forces and heinous crimes, many are forced into living a life that is robbed of that basic respect.?
There are several human rights activists who have devoted their lives toward uplifting others and ensuring that the unfortunate are given all opportunities of living a full life.?
These are the people who have impacted a positive change in the world through their relentless efforts.?
Kailash Satyarthi/twitter
An advocate of child's rights and education and a fighter against child labour, Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi has saved over 83,000 children from exploitation in 144 countries. It was due to his efforts that the International Labour Organisation adopted Convention No. 182 on the worst kinds of child labour, which became a guiding force for government across the globe.
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Bharti's activism has saved over 900 underage children from getting forcefully married. She even orchestrated the annulment of 150 child marriages in India. Founder of the Saarthi Trust, Bharti strives to protect the victims of child marriages. Bharti is a rehabilitation?psychologist who helps distressed children out of their misery.?
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Agarwal is the recipient of the?International Women of Courage award - bestowed upon her by the former First Lady of the US, Michelle Obama. An acid attack survivor, Agarwal is the director of NGO Chhanv Foundation that fights for the cause of acid attack victims. Agarwal also spearheaded the campaign to curb acid attacks in India by amassing 27,000 signatures for a PIL. Her efforts led the Supreme Court to direct central and state governments to put a check on acid sales.?
out and around
Kavi is a gay rights activist who runs the Humsafar Trust - an LGBT health organisation trying to get homosexuality legalised in India and that works towards the upliftment of sexual?minority outfits. Kavi has been a frontman of the gay rights movement since the 1980s who founded India's first gay magazine?Bombay Dost in 1990.?
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Wilson has been a long time activist who has campaigned against the degrading practice of manual scavenging.?Wilson has rehabilitated 3 lakh people out of a number of 6 lakh who are still working as manual scavengers. His Safai Karmchari Andolan led the Supreme Court to direct all States and Union Territories to award compensation to the families of manual scavengers who died working in the sewers. He was also awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for "asserting the inalienable right to a life of human dignity".
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Raghuvanshi is a Dalit rights activist who has dedicated his life toward?elevating the lives of people?from the marginalised sections of the society. He is one of the?founding?members of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights. He also tirelessly worked towards ending bonded labour and revolutionising children education by promoting girl education, introducing non-traditional teachings and overhauling the educational institutions.
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A rape survivor, Krishnan found her life's purpose in rescuing victims of sex trafficking and finding a respectable place for them in the mainstream society. She co-founded Prajwala, an NGO in Hyderabad that rescues women from prostitution and offers education to their children. A recipient of the Padma Shri award, she has saved over 10,000 women and children till date.
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Roy is a social activist who works for the vulnerable sections of the society. She has always been on the forefront of running campaigns directed toward helping the poor and the marginalised. It was due to her persistence and hard work that?the Right to Information, the Right to Work (the NREGA), and the Right to Food Acts were passed.?
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An anti-child labour activist, Sinha organised a three-month long project to allow easy transition of children from the domain of bonded labour to public education. She proved instrumental in abolishing child labour in Andhra Pradesh's Ranga Reddy district where over 2.5 lakh children were introduced to their fundamental right to elementary education.?
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A women rights lawyer, Agnes co-founded 'Majlis' that campaigns for women and provides them with legal representation on matrimonial issues, child custody, etc. Nearly 50,000 women have been provided with legal services and counselling through Agnes's organisation. She currently advises the Ministry of Women and Child Development in Maharashtra.?
indian women blog
An equal and indigenous rights activist, Madurai is one of the youngest activists in India and is openly genderqueer. He set up India's first helpline for the genderqueer and organised?Asia's first Genderqueer Pride Parade at Madurai. He founded the?Srishti Madurai Volunteer Movement through which LGBTQIA activists, academicians, human rights advocates and many more work toward protecting indigenous traditions.
Hats off to these personalities who are inspiring thousands to take up activism and do good in the society.?