HMF strives to promote gender equality through a multipronged, rights-based approach that involves men as equal partners, while empowering women and adolescent girls to challenge gender-based violence and discrimination. Since 1996, beginning with an intervention that encouraged women to speak out about the violence they faced, HMF delved into the root causes the issue, and worked out strategies to challenge patriarchal social and gender norms to change mindsets (attitudes) and behaviours in the rural community.

To achieve this, HMF has focussed its interventions on adult men and women as well as adolescents in the villages using various strategies aimed at preventing violence. Such activities include group activities, awareness campaigns, working with newly married couples for nurturing healthy relationships and more.

Simultaneously, HMF undertook up programmes to assist and support women and girls facing violence through HMF’s Counselling Centre services. Additionally, HMF initiated efforts to empower the community through formation of support groups and conflict resolution committees so that they take ownership to prevent and resolve violence and conflicts.