The Women Empowerment Program (WEP) by KROSS, initiated with the support of MISEREOR and in collaboration with 14 Diocesan Social Service Societies in1998, aims to empower women by helping them recognize their leadership potential and improve their lives. The socio economically vulnerable women from Karnataka are focused under the program. The program’s core objective is to create awareness to sustain their development through various interventions.

Women are oriented on fundamental rights such as access to food, shelter, property, and education, enhancing their social awareness and participation in governance. State and zonal level training on gender mainstreaming is provided, and self-help groups (SHGs) are formed to foster local-level support. KROSS’s efforts have led to the formation of federations at grassroots, taluk, district, and state levels, enabling women to claim their legitimate benefits and participate in local self-governance.

The program covers across 13 districts, 37 taluks, and 423 Gram Panchayats, reaching more than 9, 07,000 women. It promotes a community-led movement for gender equality and empowerment through a Community-led approach.