Recognition

Achievements & Awards

Every award is a recognition not just of the organisation, but of the survivors who built it.

Honors

National & Government Awards

Savdhan India Award

Awarded by national TV programme for outstanding contribution to women's safety.

Stree Shakti Award

Government recognition for exemplary work in women empowerment.

Mind of Steel Award

Awarded for resilience and determination in fighting sexual violence.

Devi Award

Recognised for transformational leadership by women.

Women in Public Life

Honoured by the President of India for public service at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

No More Kamzor Campaign

Institutional recognition for the programme combating internalised weakness in women.

Mission Sapne

Award for innovative community-based intervention for women and girls.

Kaun Banega Crorepati

Featured on national television as an inspirational social work story with Amitabh Bachchan.

Forbes India 2020

Founder Usha Vishwakarma listed among India's Top 20 Self-Made Women Achievers.

The Republic of Women

Recognition for our unique Women Led organization model.

Maja Koene Award

International social activist award recognising our grassroots impact.

Govt Recognition

Multiple state and national level honors from Central Ministries and the Govt of UP.

Media & Press Recognition

CNN (2013)

'Meet India's Red Brigade: The teens fighting back against rape' — Global long-form story.

Deutsche Welle (2016)

'India's Red Brigade' — International documentary-style coverage.

The Hindu (2017)

'Red, black and Krav Maga: Lucknow's Red Brigade is empowering young women'.

Times of India (2016)

'Red Brigade: Force that teaches girls to beat harassers'.

Navbharat Times (2017)

Extensive coverage of our district-wide Scooty Yatras.

Hindustan Times (2022)

'Women come together in Lucknow to build non-violent economy'.

The Pioneer (2020)

'Red Brigade Trust helping women, girls protect themselves'.

India Legal (2017)

Detailed coverage of rape justice cases supported by RBL.

Our Leaders

Individual Recognitions

Usha Vishwakarma — Founder

Named 'Woman of Action' (2013) internationally and recognized as one of India's Top 20 Self-Made Women by Forbes (2020).

Recognized by the Govt of India and Govt of UP for pioneering the survivor-led movement in self-defense.

Manshi — Programme Leader

Transformed from a deeply traumatised survivor into a core team member and certified self-defense trainer.

Currently leads the Chikankari Women's Economic Empowerment Programme, a model of survivor agency.

Annu — Balmanch Coordinator

Rescued at age 12, Annu is now a master trainer and the coordinator of Balmanch education centre.

She is the living symbol of Red Brigade's model: victims becoming fearless leaders.

Diya — Fighter for Justice

Fought a landmark legal battle with Red Brigade's support, resulting in the perpetrator's imprisonment.

Her journey from survivor to a life rebuilt is a cornerstone case of our Justice Access initiative.