The Red Brigade is a group of young girls from one of India's poorest states who patrol the streets of their neighborhood ensuring women and girls are safe.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
The Red Brigade is a group of young girls from one of India's poorest states who patrol the streets of their neighborhood ensuring women and girls are safe.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
Her modest family home in the Madiyon district of Lucknow is where Usha Vishwakarma started the group -- despite opposition from her family.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
Her modest family home in the Madiyon district of Lucknow is where Usha Vishwakarma started the group -- despite opposition from her family.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
Usha felt compelled to act after being attacked by a male colleague -- she felt she received no help from the police or her local community.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
Usha felt compelled to act after being attacked by a male colleague -- she felt she received no help from the police or her local community.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
The 26-year old, who teaches in this small schoolhouse opposite her home, discovered most of her students had been sexually abused.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
The 26-year old, who teaches in this small schoolhouse opposite her home, discovered most of her students had been sexually abused.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
Most of those students are under the age of 16. They decided to join the brigade to fight what they consider to be a huge social problem in India.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
Most of those students are under the age of 16. They decided to join the brigade to fight what they consider to be a huge social problem in India.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
In their distinctive uniforms, the girls patrol their local streets looking out for males acting "inappropriately" towards girls and women -- a risky undertaking in a male-dominated society.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
In their distinctive uniforms, the girls patrol their local streets looking out for males acting "inappropriately" towards girls and women -- a risky undertaking in a male-dominated society.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
Kung Fu legend Bruce Lee surveys proceedings in the dusty martial arts gym in a Lucknow suburb.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
Kung Fu legend Bruce Lee surveys proceedings in the dusty martial arts gym in a Lucknow suburb.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
The girls are given free lessons in self-defense by a local Kung Fu teacher, who says he supports the girls' cause because of his own daughter.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
The girls are given free lessons in self-defense by a local Kung Fu teacher, who says he supports the girls' cause because of his own daughter.
Paul Arrmstrong/CNN
The girls are taught everything from kicking and punching, to handling an attacker coming from behind.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
The girls are taught everything from kicking and punching, to handling an attacker coming from behind.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
But the reality is the girls face their biggest fight on the streets trying to persuade society of the need for change.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
But the reality is the girls face their biggest fight on the streets trying to persuade society of the need for change.
Paul Armstrong/CNN
The small band of girls brave one of the busiest intersections in the city of Lucknow to get their message across ...
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
The small band of girls brave one of the busiest intersections in the city of Lucknow to get their message across ...
Paul Armstrong/CNN
... while the city's population zip by, with many not even noticing this determined band of campaigners.
Taking fight for sexual equality to the streets —
... while the city's population zip by, with many not even noticing this determined band of campaigners.
Paul Armstrong/CNN