Kat-Katha

What Kat-Katha does

Kat-Katha is a New Delhi-based non-profit society (registered under the Societies Act 1860) founded in 2011 by Gitanjali Babbar to end forced sex work at GB Road, Delhi's largest red-light area. The organization operates a four-phased intervention model spanning Field Research & Relationship Building, Bridge School (education for children of sex workers), Empower Projects (HeARTshala tailoring and Maitri Meals FSSAI-registered cloud kitchen providing alternative livelihoods), and Dream Village (residential rehabilitation for women survivors). The organization has reached 2,200+ women and 200+ children over 9 years, with 120 women employed full-time in alternative livelihood projects, 900 children enrolled in Bridge School, and 8,000+ families supported during COVID-19 relief.

The organization generates revenue through three streams: (1) individual donations and charitable contributions via website and crowdfunding, (2) project-based grants from foundations and corporate sponsors, and (3) modest social-enterprise revenue from sales of Maitri Meals food products and HeARTshala handmade crafts (distributed through Craftroots marketplace and direct sales). It does not operate a technology platform; the core operating model is field-based, with staff physically embedded in 85 brothels at GB Road. The beneficiary base is geographically concentrated in Delhi, while the donor base spans individual givers, corporate partners (PVR Nest, Landmark Group, Craftroots, Teach For India, UNFPA, Goonj), and government bodies (Delhi Police, Delhi Commission for Women).

Name

Kat-Katha

Legal name

Kat-Katha

Website

https://kat-katha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kat-Katha is a New Delhi-based non-profit (founded 2011) that operates education, alternative livelihood, and rehabilitation programs for women and children in GB Road's 85 brothels, serving 2,200+ women and 200+ children through field-embedded community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services & Non-Profit Programs

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Safeguarding, Child Protection & Reporting Services (EDAJAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE), Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG), Behavioral Support & Positive Behavior Intervention Childcare (HSAAAIAF)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Anti-trafficking programs
• Women empowerment
• Child education initiatives
• Alternative livelihood training

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations contribute funds to support programs for women and children in GB Road brothels. The organization runs crowdfunding campaigns and accepts online donations through their website.
2. Social Enterprise Revenue: Maitri Meals cloud kitchen and HeARTshala tailoring project generate revenue through sale of food products and handmade crafts. Products sold through Craftroots marketplace and direct sales.
3. Project-Based Grants: Funded by foundations and organizations for specific programs like COVID relief, education initiatives, and alternative livelihood projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kat-Katha is a non-profit organization that runs a four-phased program for women and children affected by forced sex work at GB Road, Delhi: Field Research & Relationship Building, Bridge School (education for children), Empower Projects including HeARTshala (tailoring/skills training) and Maitri Meals (cloud kitchen), and Dream Village (residential rehabilitation). The organization provides education, vocational training, livelihood opportunities, and emotional support directly to beneficiaries embedded within the brothel community.

Product overview

Kat-Katha is a non-profit organization (registered under Societies Act 1860) focused on ending forced sex work, founded by Gitanjali Babbar in 2011. The organization operates a multi-phased approach comprising Field Research & Relationship Building, Bridge School (education for children), Empower Projects (HeARTshala for tailoring and Maitri Meals for culinary training), and Dream Village (residential rehabilitation). Their programs transform brothels into spaces for education, skill development, and alternative livelihoods, enabling women and children to live lives of their own choice with dignity. The organization also hosts the annual Kat Kalrav event celebrating their mission to make GB Road a street of love.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maitri Meals: An FSSAI registered Cloud Kitchen in New Delhi where women from GB Road cook and turn financially self-reliant, run in collaboration with PVR Nest and Art of Play.
• HeARTshala
• Dream Village
• Bridge School

Products and services

• Bridge School Educational program operating at GB Road providing academic support, language learning, extracurricular activities, and exposure visits for children living in brothels. Children are enrolled in certified schools and supported with mentoring and tutoring.
• HeARTshala Tailoring and craft skills training project enabling women from brothels to create handmade products including heart pins, strings, bags, and masks. Products are sold through Craftroots marketplace and directly by Kat-Katha.
• Maitri Meals FSSAI registered cloud kitchen in New Delhi where women from GB Road cook and serve food, enabling financial self-reliance. The project provides training in culinary skills, operations, accounting, and other necessary skills for running an independent kitchen.
• Dream Village Residential rehabilitation and empowerment home for women survivors from forced sex work. Provides social empowerment, emotional support through therapy and art therapy, and empowerment through learning and leadership development.
• Field Project (Field Research & Relationship Building) Field-based community immersion program where staff live and work within the 85 brothels at GB Road, conducting relationship building, field surveys, health and hygiene awareness, adult literacy, and skill training.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2200+ trafficked women transformed over 9 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• APPIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with APPI during COVID-19 crisis to provide relief to families at GB Road. APPI contributed to crowdfunding efforts for emergency response.
• Landmark GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner during COVID-19 relief operations, providing resources for ration kits and essential supplies to families in 85 brothels at GB Road.
• GoonjcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO partner for COVID-19 relief efforts, contributing to distribution of ration kits, masks, sanitizers, and hygiene kits at GB Road.
• PVR NestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Maitri Meals cloud kitchen project. PVR Nest supports the women-led culinary business providing operational support and market access.
• Art of PlaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Maitri Meals project, supporting alternative livelihood for women from GB Road through culinary training and employment.
• CraftrootscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketplace partner selling handmade products from HeARTshala tailoring project including heart pins, strings, bags, and masks. Products available through Craftroots online platform.
• Delhi PoliceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner during COVID-19 response. Collaboration for welfare activities and community outreach in GB Road area.
• Akshay PatraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 relief partner contributing to food and ration distribution efforts for families at GB Road.
• Inner Wheel Club Civil LinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService organization partner in COVID-19 relief efforts and ongoing community support activities.
• India Against CoronaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrowdfunding initiative partner during pandemic relief operations providing emergency support to vulnerable communities.
• Rotaract DelhiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization partner for community engagement and support activities during COVID-19 response.
• No Tears FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner in COVID-19 relief efforts for families in GB Road red-light area.
• UNFPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported UnManifesto campaign (2014-2015) run across 20 states and Union Territories, engaging youth participation in political process for social inclusion.
• CYC-PRAVAHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiated UnManifesto campaign supported by UNFPA. Campaign focused on engaging youth in political process and bringing social inclusion for marginalized communities including sex workers.
• Yuva ParivartanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO facilitating skill development in young dropouts. Partner in early stages for training women in newer skills as alternative livelihood options.
• Teach For IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation-focused partner supportingBridge School programs and educational initiatives for children at GB Road.
• Delhi Commission for WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body engaged with through advocacy work by community leaders like Arjun Rathod for rights of sex workers.
• Delhi Mahila AyogminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body engaged with for women's rights advocacy and policy engagement for GB Road community.
• FHI (Family Health International)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGitanjali Babbar previously worked as Consultant with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation projects through FHI.
• National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGitanjali Babbar previously worked as Program Officer at NACO. Her field visits to GB Road for NACO led to founding of Kat-Katha.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sanlaap: Kolkata-based NGO operating shelter homes, education centers, and vocational training for trafficking survivors and children in sex work. Direct peer because of comparable rescue-and-rehabilitation programs targeting women in red-light districts.
• Shakti Vahini: Delhi-based anti-trafficking organization running rescue operations, legal aid, and rehabilitation for trafficking victims. Direct peer with overlapping geography (Delhi NCR) and population (women and children in trafficking).
• Azad Foundation: Delhi-based NGO focused on economic empowerment of marginalized women through livelihood and leadership programs. Peer because of overlapping focus on women's economic self-reliance and skill-building for vulnerable populations.
• Prajwala: Hyderabad-based NGO running prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation programs for women and children in sex trafficking. Direct peer because both operate anti-trafficking programs with similar multi-phase models (rescue → education → livelihood) in India.
• Apne Aap Women Worldwide: India-based organization empowering women and children in sex work through education, micro-enterprise, and advocacy. Direct peer due to overlapping focus on GB Road-adjacent populations, self-help groups, and alternative livelihood models.

Emerging players

• Teach For India: India-wide education equity nonprofit placing Fellows in low-income schools. Already a partner of Kat-Katha; comparable for its education-focused intervention for underserved children, though at much larger scale.
• Make A Difference (MAD): India-based nonprofit providing education and life-skills support to children in shelters and care homes. Comparable to Kat-Katha's Bridge School model for vulnerable children, though focused on a different (orphan care) population segment.
• Breakthrough India: Human rights organization working on gender-based violence, trafficking, and child marriage in India. Comparable in mission scope (anti-trafficking, women's empowerment) but uses a mass-media and advocacy model rather than direct service delivery.
• Goonj: Large India-based NGO addressing poverty through material dignity and community development. Peer because of overlapping rural and urban community-driven model, and is an active partner of Kat-Katha for COVID-19 relief distribution.
• HAQ: Centre for Child Rights: Delhi-based child rights organization working on law, policy, and advocacy for vulnerable children. Adjacent peer given overlapping concern for children affected by trafficking and exploitation in Delhi.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/katkathaa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=JqI6Xd6TMkM
• Facebookfacebook.com/KatKathaStories
• Instagraminstagram.com/katkathastories
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kat-katha

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kat-Katha