India

India, located in South Asia, borders Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar, with Sri Lanka off its south-eastern shores.

Its population is the second largest in the world, with numerous ethnic groups, languages and religions, making it one of the most diverse countries on the planet. 

While India is emerging as a global power, the gulf between rich and poor is considered one of the greatest in the world. There are deep-rooted divisions between casts and ethnicities. Consequently, minorities and marginalised groups – including people from lower castes, tribal and rural populations, and women and girls – face huge hurdles and are often trapped in intergenerational poverty.

Gender inequality is extremely high, with the World Inequality Report finding that the female labour income share is 18%, significantly lower than the average in Asia. * Trafficking of women and girls for sex work and forced labour is an enormous problem.

Our partner Cathedral Relief Service (CRS) works with slum communities in Kolkata and rural areas in West Bengal and Jharkhand, equipping marginalised people with the skills needed to take control of their lives. They educate women about health and rights and provide training to support them in setting up small businesses.