HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Empower Communitites
Monitor the Monitors
Defend the Defenders
Custodial Justice
Balancing the scales of justice with compassion and healing has been an elusive goal across the ages. It requires a nuanced, multifaceted engagement with the entire ecosystem
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Child Rights Protection
All children have age specific rights, in addition to all the other human rights, so that they can live a life of dignity during childhood and beyond.
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Gender Justice
Correcting the privileging of the male and the masculine over all other genders is an important historical task for the progress of humanity and the human race
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Coastal Watch
Securing the progress of the coastal communities, the health of the coastal echosystem, and the equity in the blue economy, is essential for the safety and security of the planet
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Local Governance
Local self-government is the first and closest government to the communities. Empowered local government institutions, with equitable participation and inclusion of all communities in decision making
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Dalit and Tribal Rights
Socially excluded and vulnerable communities need to have a seat at the high table, with voice and agency to determine their priorities in development and in execution, and determine the basic characteristics of the welfare state
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SDG Watch
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
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Our Initiatives

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Proxy to Power
Single Women Action Network (SWAN)

Updates

Monitoring the Monitors | 28 April – 03 May 2026 | Kodaikanal

Two-Day State Level Training for Women Leaders from CSOs | Chennai 2025

SWAN Arankoodam Inaugural | 03 October 2025 | Mayiladuthurai

SWAN Arankoodam Inaugural | 02 October 2025 | Karaikal

SWAN Arankoodam Inaugural | 30 September 2025 | Muthupettai Tiruvarur

Upcoming Programmes

Programmes and training material are in Tamil; (national programmes are multi-lingual)
For periodic updates send a mail to in-tn+subscribe@googlegroups.com

September
01: Zonal training on protective laws – IX:  Chennai
02: District level: Quarterly engagement and dialogue
05: CEO forum online review: Implementation of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, POA, in Tamil Nadu
08: SWAN monthly coordination meeting
10: State level: Strengthening local government: Social security implementation (SDG based)
20: State level: SSWF: Review of district processes
20: Regional level : Women Leads in Solidarity: Monthly check-in
24-27: State level residential training: Social media for feminist organisations
26: District level: Quarterly Lawyers’ forum
26: National level: Monthly POA review

Wednesday (02, 09, 16, 23, 30):
1530: Evidence building: Audio visual documentation
Saturdays (05, 12, 19, 26):
1100: Programme support: POA implementation
1500: Programme support: Strengthening SWAN
1530: Study circle

(more…)

Focus Areas

Child Rights

All children have age specific rights, in addition to all the other human rights, so that they can live a life of dignity during childhood and beyond. Every person below 18 years of age is a child, and entitled to all these rights.

Intervention
Training
Resources
Gender Justice

Gender Justice

Correcting the privileging of the male and the masculine over all other genders is an important historical task for the progress of humanity and the human race. Gender equity - the goal of gender justice - is informed by intersectionality.

Intervention
Training
Resources
Dalit and Tribal Rights

Dalit & Tribal Rights

Socially excluded and vulnerable communities need to have a seat at the high table, with voice and agency to determine their priorities in development and in execution, and determine the basic characteristics of the welfare state

Intervention
Training
Resources
Sustainable Development Goals

SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. We track the progress towards all 17 goals for specific socially excluded and vulnerable communities.

Intervention
Training
Resources
Coastal Watch

Coastal Watch

Various interest groups such as Fishing People’s Organisations, Non-Government Organisations, Environmental and Consumer Groups, Academics, Lawyers and activists felt the need to evolve a broad based forum to protect the rights of the coastal communities and the coast from environmental degradation.

Intervention
Training
Resources

Local Governance

Local self-government is the first and closest government to the communities. Empowered local government institutions, with equitable participation and inclusion of all communities in decision making. In addition to the training, HRF provides support (including litigation) when WPPs are prevented from discharging their duties.

Intervention
Training
Resources
Custodial Justice Hands of the prisoner on the prison

Custodial Justice

Balancing the scales of justice with compassion and healing has been an elusive goal across the ages. It requires a nuanced, multifaceted engagement with an ecosystem that encompasses the constitution, law, judiciary, lawyers, police, correctional institutions, victims, survivors, accused, undertrials, convicts, families and communities.

Intervention
Training
Resources
Human Rights Interventions

Human Rights

HRF conducts a range of human rights courses – from the introductory to advanced, from specialised/thematic focused to comprehensive integrated courses, covering the history, the theory, tools, and practical tips and workarounds in the field. Customised courses are conducted for academic institutions, government agencies and other civil society organisations on request.

Intervention
Training
Resources
Coastal Systems Monitoring

Systems Monitoring

Securing the progress of the coastal communities, the health of the coastal ecosystem and equity in the blue economy is essential for the safety and security of the planet

Training
Budget Analysis Training

Budget Analysis

Budget research, analysis and advocacy has gained increasing importance in the pursuit of social justice—whether for socially excluded communities, women or children.

Training