Two Indian school girls have received national bravery awards for helping police uncover and arrest a group of cross-border human traffickers. DW spoke to the two girls about the motivation behind their Mission.

An incident of “mass molestation” on New Year’s Eve in Bangalore has put an ugly spotlight back on sexual assault against women in India. But some officials insist on blaming victims and western values.

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Child marriage impedes a girl’s education and fosters violence. It must be eradicated, says Monika Michell from the women’s rights organization Terre des Femmes.

Indian Witch Hunting victims (L-R) Sugani Rabha, Lakshmi Rabha, Khedai Rabha, Lansun Rabha and Sampui Rabha sharing their ordeals at a state level consultation on ‘Witch hunting’ organisaed by Asam Mahila Samata Samiti on the occasion of International Human Rights Day in Guwahati city, northeast India, 10 December 2010. © picture-alliance/dpa

Every year, hundreds of women in India are attacked and even murdered after being accused of being witches. DW travelled to India’s eastern state of Jharkhand to take a closer look at what could be behind this often fatal superstition.

India recently launched its first women professional Kabaddi league. The popular South Asian sport has traditionally been dominated by men but women Kabaddi players say they are out there to demonstrate the ‘girl power.’

Siddi Kids © DW/Murali Krishnan

They are a community that migrated from East Africa to India between the 15th and 19th century. And today, the 60,000-strong community has settled primarily in the Indian states of Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.　

An indian woman walks on a dried and cracked water pond as she carries bucket to take drinking water. © Imago/Zuma Press

In the baking sun and swirling dust, Madhu, 37, looks dejected as she surveys the parched field of kharif paddy and pulse crops in Hamirpur in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.