Meet The Team

Sakhi Mandal – State Collective of Survivors is a survivor-led state collective supported by Empower People, bringing together women who have faced trafficking, forced marriage, and domestic violence. The collective works to strengthen survivor leadership, ensure access to justice, identity documents, and government schemes, and build safe support systems. Sakhi Mandal empowers women to reclaim their rights, dignity, and voice through collective action and community advocacy. 1. Urmila Badal President | Survivor Leader Urmila Badal is a survivor leader who was brought from Madhya Pradesh to Haryana through marriage and later abandoned with her young daughter after her husband’s death. Denied inheritance, social security, and basic recognition, she fought a long legal and administrative battle for shelter, documentation, and dignity. When local systems failed her, she directly approached the Chief Minister, resulting in housing support for her family. Today, Urmila leads Sakhi Mandal as its President, advocating for the rights of inter-state brides and survivors of trafficking and forced marriage. She regularly engages with district authorities and grassroots institutions to ensure access to welfare schemes and justice. Her leadership is rooted in lived experience, resilience, and a deep commitment to collective empowerment. ________________________________________ 2. Meena Devi Vice President | Community Organizer Meena Devi, originally from West Bengal, was trafficked under the pretext of employment and forcibly married in Haryana. She endured years of domestic violence, religious coercion, and social stigma. Despite multiple attempts to escape abuse, she returned for the sake of her children, demonstrating immense emotional strength. Today, Meena works as a daily wage laborer and serves as a community mobilizer within Sakhi Mandal. She supports other survivors in accessing protection, counseling, and legal help. Meena is a powerful advocate against forced marriage and domestic violence, using her lived experience to build trust and inspire collective action. ________________________________________ 3. Aliya Fernandes (Lara Dutta Fernandes) Secretary | Youth Leader & Documentation Champion Aliya was trafficked from Chhattisgarh to Haryana as a minor and forced into marriage through false promises. She faced prolonged domestic violence, alcohol abuse in the family, and deep social discrimination. In 2023, she connected with Empower People and began rebuilding her life. Aliya has since helped dozens of women secure identity documents, open bank accounts, and form peer-support groups. As Secretary of Sakhi Mandal, she manages organizational documentation, records, and communication. She represents a new generation of survivor leaders committed to systemic change through awareness and institutional engagement. ________________________________________ 4. Chanda Lather Joint Secretary | Anti-Trafficking Advocate Chanda was sold twice by traffickers—first into marriage with a mentally ill man and later resold to another family. She was confined, threatened, and denied freedom. Today, she is a mother of three and continues to fight for land rights, documentation, and her children’s education. As Joint Secretary, Chanda works on prevention and awareness, educating women about trafficking risks and legal safeguards. Her lived experience makes her a credible voice in community outreach programs, helping vulnerable women avoid exploitation and access support systems. ________________________________________ 5. Sugandha Rajbhar Treasurer | Financial Steward Sugandha comes from the UP–Bihar border region and was married into Haryana under false promises of land and financial stability. After marriage, she discovered the deception and faced severe health challenges, including the loss of her newborn due to medical negligence. Despite poverty and illness, she continues to manage her household through wage labor. Sugandha has experience working with self-help groups and savings collectives. As Treasurer, she ensures transparent financial management, maintains records, and promotes savings culture among members. She believes economic independence is fundamental to women’s dignity and long-term security.