Sakhya Women's Guidance Cell

National Level Workshop on the issue of “Domestic Violence”

Violence against women is on increase. The rate of female infanticide, rape and honour killing and domestic violence is high especially in the northern states of India, these states include, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Sakhya and PSSS together decided to organize a workshop on domestic violence for the social activists of above mentioned states.

¨      To sensitize participants on the issue of domestic violence, its types, effects on victims, their children, family and society at large.

¨      To impart necessary skills and knowledge among the participants regarding domestic violence act 2005 and intervention strategies to deal with the issue.

¨      To empower the participants to take action in the case of domestic violence.  

With the above mentioned objectives Pragati Social Service Center in collaboration with Sakhya organized a workshop at Karnal (Haryana)on  domestic violence for the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarpradesh on 16^th Sep 2013 in which 40 people participated  .Ms. Rushila Rebello and Mrs. Sunila Bhise from Sakhya conducted the wokshop.

The workshop started with a short prayer  led by Fr. Sandeep Pereira from Pragati Social Service Center .  Thereafter an introduction game was conducted by Ms. Rushila Rebello through which the participants were asked to share their expectation of the workshop.

Following were the expectations of the participants from the workshop.

·         Role of youth to stop Domestic violence.

·         The role of NGO to stop DV.

·         Meaning of DV.

·         Types of DV.

·         How to do awareness on the issue of DV.

·         Legal aspects of DV.

·         How to help DV victim.

·         Need to know why women are victim of DV in most cases.

·         Need to conduct self defense course for girls.

Content of the workshops:

·         True or false related to gender.

·         Gender bias and common gender stereo types.

·         Violence against Women ----VCD

·         Situation of violence against women in India.

·         Statistics of violence against Women.

·         Forms, and causes of violence against women.

·         Domestic Violence

·         Statistics of domestic violence

·         Types of domestic violence and personality of abuser and victim

·         Documentary film – Char Diwari

·         Effects of domestic violence on victim, children, family and society at large.

·         Impact of domestic violence on fundamental rights of women

·         Domestic violence act 2005.

·         Intervention strategies in dealing with the cases of domestic violence.

·         Action plan on how to identify and deal with the cases of domestic violence. 

Action plan made by the participants is as follows:

Groups were made according to their locality and were asked to develop action plan.

·         Develop good knowledge on the issue of D.V.

·         Listen and understand the problems of women.

·         Dissemination of information in self help group meeting.

·         Conduct workshops with local NGOs on the same issue.

·         Networking with police department.

·         Work on the issue of Dowry.

·         Rapport building with protection officer.

·         Learn to write a D.V. application.

·         In case of D.V. happening in their area they will inform the protection officer.

·         Be a part of W.V.C. In police stations.

·         Provide self defense class at school level.

·         Provide awareness on the issue of D.V. in society.

·         Sensitize health organizations on the issue of D.V.

·         Empowering Mahila mandals.

·         Organize Gender sensitization programme in various  areas.

·         Promote education of the girl child.

·         Stop early marriages.

·         Give importance to girl child in society.

·         Provide more employment to women.

Outcome: 

The participants appreciated the workshop conducted. It brought awareness among the participants they learnt different skills to deal with the cases of domestic violence. Sakhya staff received a very positive feedback of the workshop. Following is the feedback we received from the participants. 

·         It is a good awareness session; we learnt the skills to handle domestic violence issues.

·         It is very informative session.

·         We will be conscious of not we will not make difference between girl and boys.

·         I am aware of domestic violence, now I can address the issue in my village and try to help women.

·         I feel this is related to my own life.

·         First we will stop gender discrimination in our own family.