Women’s safety & legal aid
Paralegal and grassroots support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking and abuse — accompanying them through police stations, court visits and legal processes.
Established 2006 · Darjeeling, West Bengal
Building safer, stronger and more equal communities
Protecting women. Safeguarding children. Supporting survivors. Creating pathways to dignity and independence across the Darjeeling Hills and beyond.
For nearly two decades, Gorkha Women’s Welfare Forum has worked at the grassroots to protect and empower women and children facing violence, trafficking, exploitation and inequality — from legal and paralegal support to rescue, rehabilitation, community awareness, disability inclusion and emergency relief.
About us
Rooted in Darjeeling. Driven by change.
Gorkha Women’s Welfare Forum (GWWF) is a grassroots organisation established in 2006 in Darjeeling, working for the protection, welfare and empowerment of women, children and other vulnerable communities.
Our work focuses on issues that are often deeply hidden — domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, child protection, exploitation, discrimination and economic vulnerability. We work directly with survivors, helping them reach the systems they need: police stations and courts, healthcare, counselling, rehabilitation and livelihoods.
Our vision
A safe, just and empowered society where women and children live free from violence, exploitation and discrimination.
Our mission
To protect and promote the rights of women and children by preventing violence and exploitation, strengthening access to justice and essential services, supporting survivors, and creating pathways towards dignity, resilience and economic independence.
Dignity
Every individual deserves compassion and respect.
Safety
Environments where help can be sought without fear.
Justice
Survivors understand and access their legal rights.
Equality
Equal opportunity regardless of gender, disability or circumstance.
Empowerment
Beyond assistance — confidence, independence, agency.
Community
Sustainable change begins with local people.
Our approach
Meaningful change does not end with rescue.
Survivors need safety, justice, healing, rehabilitation and the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity. Every programme we run sits somewhere on this path.
1Prevent
Education, awareness and community mobilisation in villages and tea gardens.
2Protect
Responding when women and children face violence, exploitation or trafficking.
3Support
Counselling, legal assistance, healthcare, shelter linkages and FIR support.
4Rehabilitate
Helping survivors regain stability, confidence and security.
5Empower
Skills, livelihoods, financial independence and leadership.
Our impact
Measured in lives, not just numbers
Over the years our work has reached thousands of people across communities in the Hills. Behind every figure is a person, a family and a second chance.
200+
Community awareness camps in rural and tea-garden areas
300+
Families counselled
150+
Trafficked girls rescued and rehabilitated
5,000+
Women reached through health, shelter and legal support
10,000+
Hepatitis B vaccinations in remote villages
50+
Wheelchairs distributed to persons with disabilities
7
Differently-abled athletes supported to compete at national-level events in Kolkata
2006
Working at the grassroots since
Impact figures represent cumulative programme achievements reported by GWWF.
Our work
From protection to empowerment
Rescue, support & rehabilitation
Safe shelter, counselling, emergency medical support, FIR assistance and rehabilitation — with family and community reintegration where appropriate, keeping the survivor’s wishes at the centre.
Child protection & anti-trafficking
Awareness in schools, villages and tea gardens on child marriage, deceptive recruitment, unsafe migration and false promises of work or education — with rescue support when children are at risk.
Community awareness
Programmes on trafficking, domestic and sexual violence, child protection, cybercrime, women’s legal rights, health and disability inclusion — taken to communities where information is scarce.
Financial empowerment
Education, vocational skills, financial literacy and income generation, so that economic dependence never traps a woman in an abusive situation.
Health & community wellbeing
Health awareness, support for vulnerable families and interventions in remote communities, including vaccination drives.
Disability & spinal cord injury
Reaching beyond barriers
Spinal cord injury remains significantly under-addressed in the Hills. GWWF has led awareness initiatives across Darjeeling District and provides guidance, essential medicines and rehabilitation support to patients and their families.
We have distributed more than 50 wheelchairs, and we facilitated — at our own expense — the participation of seven wheelchair users from Darjeeling in the National Tournament for the Differently Abled in Kolkata.
Disability does not diminish ability. Sport became a pathway to confidence, visibility and dignity.
On the ground
Real communities. Real work.
Teesta flood relief — 2023
When floods along the Teesta cut off roads and access routes, GWWF volunteers carried clothes, food and daily essentials through difficult terrain to families that were hard to reach.
When communities are in crisis, we stand with them.
First 3 Days — photographic exhibition, Darjeeling
Curated through the lens of photographer Debalina Majumder, the exhibition portrayed the lived experiences of women affected by domestic violence and the courage it takes to seek support and rebuild. It was never about defining women by violence — it asked society to see their strength beyond their circumstances.
Sometimes a photograph can begin a conversation that words cannot.
Our proposed next chapter
Darjeeling’s first dedicated rehabilitation centre for women survivors
The Hills have no dedicated rescue, shelter and rehabilitation centre for women survivors of rape, domestic violence, trafficking and exploitation. GWWF is committed to establishing one — and is making approximately one acre of GWWF-owned land available for the project, while seeking government and institutional support for construction and development.
The centre would provide
- Safe temporary accommodation
- Counselling and psychosocial support
- Legal assistance
- Medical support
- Rehabilitation services
- Skill development
- Livelihood assistance
- Support for safe reintegration
Leadership
The people behind the work
Kabita Tamang Pradhan
Founder & President · DLSA Para-Legal VolunteerA social activist working at the grassroots since 2006, when she founded GWWF. She has supported survivors of rape, trafficking and violence, helped rescue and rehabilitate young girls, stood alongside disadvantaged women through legal battles, and worked with families and communities so survivors can return with dignity and build financially independent lives.
Kritika Pradhan
General Secretary & Project HeadStrategic and administrative lead, overseeing project planning and implementation, institutional partnerships, legal and regulatory matters and organisational compliance — extending GWWF’s foundation in women’s rights towards economic independence, health, inclusion and long-term resilience.
“Our work begins with listening — to women, to children and to the communities we serve. Meaningful change happens when people are given not only support in moments of crisis, but the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures.”
Get involved
Be part of the change
Sustainable social change cannot be created by one organisation alone. We welcome individuals, institutions, corporates, professionals and volunteers who share our commitment.
Partner with us
CSR teams, foundations, government bodies and NGOs — build a programme with measurable community impact.
Start a conversationVolunteer
Your time, skills and expertise can make a difference — in community programmes, awareness campaigns, communications and events.
Volunteer with GWWFSupport our work
Your contribution helps provide essential services, rehabilitation support and opportunities to vulnerable women, children and persons with disabilities.
Donate
Need help?
You are not alone.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation or trafficking, reaching out can be the first step towards safety. GWWF can help connect you with appropriate support.
Confidentiality matters. We respect the privacy and dignity of everyone who seeks support.
Contact our support team- Counselling
- Legal assistance
- Police & FIR support
- Medical referrals
- Shelter linkages
- Crisis intervention
- Rehabilitation support
- Livelihood assistance
Contact
Reach out
Office
Gorkha Women’s Welfare Forum
Pradhan Building, 3/1 Kutchery Road
Darjeeling – 734101
West Bengal, India
Registration & compliance
- Reg. No.
- S/IL/39693
- PAN
- AACAH9253R
- 12A
- AACAH9253R23KL01
- 80G
- AACAH9253R24KL01
- CSR-1
- CSR00052736