Empowering women has been a core mission of POPET since its inception. Through the Women Empowerment Movement, POPET has conducted large-scale awareness campaigns aimed at challenging gender stereotypes, promoting women’s rights, and encouraging their participation in education, leadership, and development initiatives.
One of POPET’s most notable contributions was the production and performance of the street play “Abla Nuhe Drubala” (Not Weak, But Strong) in 1995. With support from the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Odisha, this campaign was performed across 8 districts, reaching thousands of villagers. The play addressed critical issues such as:
Using emotionally engaging narratives and local dialects, POPET’s street theatre created powerful conversations around women’s rights in conservative rural communities.
Beyond performances, POPET organized interactive sessions, workshops, and group discussions with women, men, and youth to ensure deeper understanding and long-term attitude shifts. They also distributed awareness materials and connected women to local support groups, legal aid, and government schemes.
Over the years, POPET has worked closely with women’s collectives, SHGs, panchayat leaders, and NGOs to promote women’s leadership in community development. The organization has also been instrumental in encouraging women’s participation in watershed programs, education campaigns, and sanitation drives, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes.
By combining cultural storytelling with grassroots mobilization, POPET’s Women Empowerment Movement has helped transform mindsets and strengthen the role of women in Odisha’s social fabric—empowering them not just to participate, but to lead.
