When one woman stands alone, she is brave. When thousands stand together, they are unstoppable.

Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan (ENSS) is a vibrant and inclusive platform for single women—widows, divorced, separated, abandoned, those with missing husbands, and unmarried women. ENSS brings them together to raise awareness, build confidence, fight injustice, and collectively assert their rights and dignity. The Sangathan transcends barriers of caste, class, religion, ability, and extends solidarity to women living with HIV/AIDS.

Established in 2005 with just 105 members, ENSS today has grown into a powerful collective of over 17,000 single women. The movement spans 396 Panchayats across 21 development blocks in 7 districts of Himachal Pradesh and continues to grow. ENSS is also an active member of the National Forum for Single Women’s Rights and has supported the development of similar platforms in Punjab and beyond.

Through persistent advocacy and grassroots mobilization, ENSS has made “Single Women’s Rights” a political and policy agenda in Himachal Pradesh. Their efforts have been recognized at every level—from block to state—with ENSS leaders receiving awards from the Government of Himachal Pradesh on International Women’s Day 2014.

One of ENSS's most impactful innovations has been the organization of Jan Sunvais (public hearings) at block and district levels. These forums function as problem-solving clinics where single women present issues—especially bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining income certificates or accessing government schemes. Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) offer on-the-spot solutions or direct officials to act. In cases involving community disputes, government authorities have instructed the police or concerned officials to intervene. More importantly, these public hearings have empowered women to articulate their challenges, take a stand, and reclaim their space in society.

The strength of ENSS lies in solidarity. Supported by partner organizations and the local media, their work regularly receives press coverage that amplifies their voices. ENSS district chapters are now pursuing independent legal registration, a move towards securing formal identities and autonomy. The State-level ENSS is already a registered entity, and local branches are following suit.

Regular awareness camps introduce women to the Sangathan’s mission and encourage them to join the movement. Leadership development trainings are conducted for promising members at the panchayat level—preparing them to become the next generation of community leaders.

For the past four years, ENSS has celebrated Behna Teej, a festival rooted in sisterhood and belonging. Members come together to sing traditional songs, share sweets, and apply tilak on each other’s foreheads—a symbolic gesture of mutual respect and solidarity. The festival affirms what society often denies: that every single woman belongs, matters, and is never alone. Media coverage of the celebration has further helped bring visibility to this unique expression of unity and joy. 

• The Director of the Department of Women and Child Development, Himachal Pradesh formally sought ENSS's support to investigate the alarming trend of missing girls from schools across the state. ENSS contributed to a proposal now submitted to the Central Government to fund this critical study. 
• 398 Gram Panchayats, influenced by ENSS's persistent advocacy, passed resolutions urging the state government to raise income eligibility for pension schemes. As a result, the limit was increased to ₹35,000. 
• ENSS successfully lobbied for enhancement of welfare schemes, including:
   

1. Chief Minister Kanyadan Yojna grant raised from ₹21,000 to ₹25,000. 
2. Income threshold for availing this scheme increased from ₹20,000 to ₹35,000. 
3. Social security pensions increased: ₹550/month for general beneficiaries, ₹750/month for people with disabilities, and ₹1000/month for the elderly.

• A Gram Panchayat in Salani Katola (Nahan Block) allocated its Nirmal Award funds to support a single woman with four daughters, setting up a fixed deposit in the daughters’ names—demonstrating how local bodies can enable real impact. 
• 27 single women in Gagret Block received financial assistance for medical expenses through the Village Health Sanitation Committees in their panchayats. 
• Single women are now recognized as heads of households, enabling them to receive ration cards and improved access to state benefits.

• The state government issued directives to ration depots to prioritize distribution for single women, acknowledging their vulnerability and need for frontline support. 

•  ENSS Himachal has joined hands with sister organizations in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand to form a strong national coalition for single women’s rights. States like Punjab and Maharashtra are being engaged to expand this collective voice. 

The efforts of the National Forum, of which ENSS Himachal Pradesh is an integral part, have led to significant breakthroughs in policy recognition, public awareness, and institutional visibility for single women across India. 

• Policy Recognition: In a landmark announcement in February 2013, the Finance Minister of India pledged ₹200 crore towards addressing the needs and concerns of single women—bringing national attention and financial commitment to their struggles. 
• Academic and Policy Focus: Single women's issues are increasingly being studied and debated in academic, legal, and policy-making circles, reinforcing their legitimacy as a key gender and social justice concern. 
• Media Coverage: Prominent newspapers and international magazines have begun to consistently highlight the challenges faced by single women, amplifying their voices and everyday realities to broader audiences. 
• Census Inclusion: The 2011 Census of India introduced and implemented a new category—single women-headed households—ensuring formal recognition of their existence and challenges in national data systems for the first time.