Sampat Pal Devi, leader of the "Gulabi Gang" a women's rights group in Bundelkhand, India.
But some women have started to break the vicious cycle and fight for women's rights. One is a group of women all dressed up in bright pink sarees, called the Gulabi Gang. The other one is a team of female journalists publishing a rural paper, all written and distributed by women. Both of these very inspiring projects have gained huge respect within their communities and beyond.
They show that with inspiration, guts and intelligence, promoting women's rights can bring about positive change and support for both women and men in society.
The report was compiled in coproduction between IGNOU, New Delhi, and Deutsche Welle
Report: Anwar J.Ashraf/ Nina Haase