The SHINE Women’s Empowerment Conference held by Project Help India has been a beacon of hope for women trapped in cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and gender-based discrimination. Held annually in two states of India, Uttarakhand (in March) and Punjab (in October), this conference is a life-changing event for marginalised women who often face immense hardships—domestic violence, financial dependence, and limited access to education or basic resources.
SHINE is not just a conference; it is a movement dedicated to breaking these cycles. Through powerful talks and workshops, women gain essential knowledge about their legal rights, financial independence, personal safety, and psychological empowerment. They walk away with not only hope but also tangible skills and tools to transform their lives.
This change does not happen in isolation. By educating both women and community leaders, SHINE fosters an environment where long-standing traditions of gender inequality are challenged. This year, we aim to reach approximately1000 women at our two conferences, providing them with resources, education, and a renewed sense of dignity.
Khatoon's Story
Khatoon Bibi, a 37-year-old woman from the Gurjar community, is a mother of five children. Two of her children are married, and her son, Ashraf, attends our center. Khatoon has been struggling to support her family under very poor conditions, as her husband, Shamsher, has suffered from mental health issues for the past two years and is unable to provide for them.
Khatoon herself has been ill for five years and is currently suffering from typhoid and jaundice. Her primary source of income comes from raising buffaloes and selling 2-3 kilograms of milk daily to support her family. Occasionally, members of the Gurjar community provide her with small financial assistance to help her meet expenses.
Khatoon has attended the SHINE Women's Conference twice. When asked about her experience, she shared that she learned the importance of cleanliness and education. Now, she ensures her children attend school daily and practice good hygiene. Expressing her gratitude, Khatoon said she was fortunate to learn valuable lessons from the conference and hopes to attend again in the future. Read Khatoon's full story here. With no financial independence or knowledge of her rights, she felt trapped. Attending SHINE changed her life. She learned about legal protections, financial literacy, and self-defense. Today, she is running a small tailoring business and advocating for women’s rights in her community. Read Rani’s full story here. With no financial independence or knowledge of her rights, she felt trapped. Attending SHINE changed her life. She learned about legal protections, financial literacy, and self-defense. Today, she is running a small tailoring business and advocating for women’s rights in her community.
We cannot do this alone
The cost of running our ninth SHINE Conference this March is $7,500—just $15 per delegate. Your support can change lives, breaking barriers that have held these women back for generations.
This year we are hoping to secure a corporate sponsor to stand with us in this transformative mission. Align your workplace values with a powerful cause and take pride in celebrating Women's Empowerment Day this coming March by supporting SHINE 2025. If you would like to consider this, please reach out to me (Doug) directly to discuss this. I would love to assist you to connect with your employees/team to make this a meaningful opportunity for you all.
Join us in creating lasting change. Please consider Donating today by clicking the DONATE button above.
#SHINE2025 #WomenEmpowerment #BreakTheCycle
"Meet Khatoon, a resilient mother of five from the Gurjar community in Northern India, overcoming immense hardships to support her family. Despite illness and financial struggles, she continues to provide for her children and ensure they receive an education. Attending SHINE empowered her with knowledge and hope for a better future. #SHINE2025 #WomenEmpowerment #BreakingBarriers"
