Protecting Breastfeeding Rights and Maternal Health of Musahar Women in Brick Kilns, Varanasi, India

Protecting Breastfeeding Rights and Maternal Health of Musahar Women in Brick Kilns, Varanasi, India

Submitted by: People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and Jan Mitra Nyas
Reporting Period: August 2025 – February 2026

Executive Summary

This report presents a major human rights advocacy success achieved by PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas in protecting the breastfeeding rights and maternal and child healthcare of Musahar women working in brick kilns in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Following a formal petition submitted by PVCHR, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India officially registered the complaint and issued directives to the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the District Administration of Varanasi.

As a direct result of this advocacy:

• NHRC formally intervened and registered the case
• Uttar Pradesh Government issued official compliance orders
• District Magistrate, Varanasi, directed to take action
• State health authorities instructed to intervene
• Maternal and child healthcare rights officially recognized

This intervention represents systemic change at national and state levels.

Background and Problem Statement

Musahar women working in brick kilns represent one of India’s most marginalized communities. PVCHR’s field research identified serious human rights violations affecting maternal and child survival.

Key findings:

• Over 335 Musahar families working in brick kilns
• 103 pregnant women and more than 300 children under five
• Lack of access to Anganwadi services, maternal healthcare, and immunisation
• Women forced to return to work immediately after childbirth
• Severe risks to maternal health and infant survival

These conditions violated national and international human rights standards.

Link article of Soha Moitra jee of CRY : https://themigrationstory.com/post/how-musahar-women-in-varanasi-brick-kilns-are-reclaiming-the-right-to-breastfeed/

Advocacy Intervention by PVCHR

On 8 August 2025, PVCHR submitted a formal petition to the National Human Rights Commission of India.

Full Petition Documentation:

https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2025/11/nhrc-acts-on-petition-highlighting.html

Additional documentation:

https://www.scribd.com/document/957300231/NHRC-Acts-on-Petition-Highlighting-Violation-of-Breastfeeding-Rights-of-Musahar-Women-in-Varanasi-s-Brick-Kilns

The petition requested:

• NHRC investigation
• Protection of breastfeeding rights
• Maternal healthcare access
• Enforcement of labour protections
• Government accountability

Institutional Response and Policy-Level Impact

1. National Human Rights Commission Action

NHRC registered Case No. 23695/24/72/2025-WC and issued directives to:

• Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Uttar Pradesh
• District Magistrate, Varanasi

NHRC Intervention Report:

https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2026/02/nhrc-intervenes-to-protect.html

NHRC ordered authorities to:

• Investigate violations
• Take corrective action
• Report compliance
• Associate PVCHR and affected communities

This represents formal recognition of systemic violations.

2. Uttar Pradesh Government Compliance Order

The Government of Uttar Pradesh Medical and Health Department issued official directives on 23 February 2026 to:

• Director General, Medical and Health Services
• Chief Medical Officer, Varanasi
• District health authorities

This order mandated:

• Immediate action
• Compliance with NHRC directives
• Health service intervention

This confirms state-level administrative accountability.

3. District-Level Government Action

On 25 February 2026, NHRC issued instructions directly to the District Magistrate, Varanasi, requiring:

• Field investigation
• Immediate intervention
• Protection of maternal and child rights
• Compliance reporting

This ensures implementation at the district level.

Link: https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2026/02/nhrc-intervenes-to-protect.html

Programmatic Intervention Model and Demonstrated Results

PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas implemented a rights-based intervention model in partnership with CRY – Child Rights and You.

Program components:

• Community mobilisation and awareness
• Maternal health education
• Health service linkage
• Nutrition support
• Government system engagement

Documented outcomes (2022–2024):

• Institutional deliveries increased from 54% to 65%
• Colostrum feeding quadrupled
• Child immunisation tripled
• Infant mortality reduced by 50%
• Zero child deaths reported in 2024 in intervention areas

This demonstrates proven impact and scalable solutions.

Human Rights and Policy Impact Achieved

This advocacy resulted in:

National-Level Impact:

• NHRC official intervention
• Case registration and investigation
• Formal recognition of violations

State-Level Impact:

• Government of Uttar Pradesh issued official orders
• Health authorities directed to intervene

District-Level Impact:

• District Magistrate directed to implement corrective action

Community-Level Impact:

• Protection of breastfeeding rights
• Improved maternal healthcare access
• Increased government accountability

Beneficiaries Impacted

Direct beneficiaries:

• 335 Musahar families
• 103 pregnant women
• 300+ children under five

Indirect beneficiaries:

• Thousands of brick kiln workers
• Migrant women across Uttar Pradesh

Potential replication beneficiaries:

• Millions of brick kiln workers across India

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This intervention contributes directly to:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Donor Contribution and Role

Donor support enabled:

• Field research and documentation
• Community mobilisation
• Legal and human rights advocacy
• Government engagement
• Policy intervention

This demonstrates effective use of donor resources to achieve systemic change.

Sustainability and Next Steps

PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas will continue to:

• Monitor government compliance
• Support implementation
• Expand intervention model
• Advocate for national replication

Conclusion

This intervention represents a major human rights advocacy success resulting in national and state government action.

It demonstrates that donor-supported grassroots human rights work can:

• Influence national institutions
• Achieve policy-level change
• Protect vulnerable communities
• Improve maternal and child survival

Protecting breastfeeding rights protects the future of a generation.

Key Documentation Links

NHRC Intervention Report:
https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2026/02/nhrc-intervenes-to-protect.html

Original Petition and NHRC Action:
https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2025/11/nhrc-acts-on-petition-highlighting.html

Full Petition Documentation:
https://www.scribd.com/document/957300231/NHRC-Acts-on-Petition-Highlighting-Violation-of-Breastfeeding-Rights-of-Musahar-Women-in-Varanasi-s-Brick-Kilns