MISSI means 'SISTER' in local Mundari language of Jharkhand. MISSI was established on 8th March 1995 on International Women's Day, towards promoting rights of women and eliminating all forms of discrimination against them. After twenty seven years of addressing women's issues and working towards their rights, Chotanagpur Sanskritik Sangh realized that a separate wing for rural women is needed for the organization and so MISSI was born.
MISSI is an unregistered organization devoted to advancement of human rights of women and girls. During the period 1995-2000 its main activities included organization of women for speaking out against discrimination against them and breaking the shackle of traditional practices. Group meetings, training workshops, guidance and counseling, legal support, formation and promotion of SHGs, networking with like-minded NGOs etc. were the initial work with the women.
During 2000 to 2005 focus of the organization was on providing need based emergency services to women and girls in distress and with special needs. Activities like Celebration of Days like Women's Day, Human Rights Day, World Disability Day, Girl Child Education Day etc. also started during the period.
From 2005 till date the focus has been on supporting women to take up leadership in the PRI and other spaces so that women can take decisions regarding their villages and the state. Advocacy for implementation of legislations and laws has been an important role in legislation of "Prevention of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.", implementation of the Persons with Disability Act 2005 apart from advocating for the formation of "Women's Commission" in Jharkhand as well as the formulation of 'State Policy for Women'.
In 2015 MISSI initiated it work for Women with Disabilities (WwD) and the organization's vision was to address gender and disability and socio-economic inclusion of Women with Disabilities.
The mission of MISSI has been primarily promoting the human rights of women and girls, their socio-economic empowerment, providing need based referral and rehabilitation services, and highlighting the need for women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. At the community level our group has been successfully advocating for inclusion of women in decision making positions, entitlement realization and proper implementation of government programmes and schemes.
MISSS is and has been functioning as an unregistered organization having formal administrative system. All members of the organization are women. In 2018 an important milestone for MISSI was formation of cooperatives, FPOs, Farmer Clubs and other producer groups.
The Annual Women’s Day Celebration is a highlight event every year for which members eagerly wait. More than 5,000 women participate in this event.
MISSI women are role models
for their families, community
MISSI women are Vendors
/Entrepreneurs
Women are PRI Members
ICDS Workers
ASHA Workers
Self Help Groups including
inclusice SHGs linked with
NABARD, NRLM
Plus free legal aid and
rehabilitation provided
Women Farmer's Cooperative
created