Helping victim of sexual abuse by the father

During the regular screening visit, social worker came across Priya (the name changed) aged 12 years. She was sad and depressed and not in a state to speak. The social workers then daily visited her to inquire about her health and enable her to open up.   She lost her mother when she was 2 years’ old and was then looked after by her father.  When she hit puberty her father started sexually abusing her and also began to bring along his friends who in turn also abused her.  She was not able to decide whether it was appropriate to have relations with her father; only when she did not menstruate did she speak to her neighbor. The neighbor filed a complaint with the police station and her father was arrested while she was sent to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Subsequently she was admitted to Thane civil hospital for further medical investigations which confirmed that she was pregnant.  Upon further medical tests and DNA results it was confirmed that the putative father of the unborn child was her own biological father. 

During her entire stay in the hospital the counselors regularly visited her to boost her morale and increase her self confidence.  She was given information about prenatal and post natal care, diet regime, the importance of good sleep and rest and to overall maintain a healthy and positive attitude in order to increase her coping capacity to face the tragedy that had befallen her.   She was also provided with information about the Manodhairya scheme wherein she can appeal for compensation as a victim of rape.

On 18^th May Priya delivered a baby girl; she experienced post partum depression and refused to feed and nurse the baby regularly.  The counselors helped her and motivated her to nurse the child and to take care of the child and herself as she also began neglecting her health post the delivery. She became very indecisive and unsure about the future of the child and about her own future.  She also expressed that she did not want to keep the child.  Meanwhile the CWC had decided that the child would be relinquished and surrendered for adoption to an agency and she was informed about the decisions to which she had no objection.  She gradually began to respond to the counselors and was willing to talk and open up to them and share her mental dispositions and difficulties.      

                                            Updating knowledge of the staff

On 25^th June Sakhya Women’s Guidance Cell organized a session on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act to update knowledge of the staff from socio -legal perspective.Ms. Anagha Sarpotdar a Researcher from Tata Institute of Social Sciences was the resource person.  She began the session with the background of the Act; gave a brief glimpse of Bhanwari Devi and the incidence of rape while she was on duty and the subsequent PIL filed by civil society and the role of the Vishakha Guidelines for bringing about the Act in its present form.  2 documentaries viz ‘She’ and ‘Breaking the Silence” brought about a grim picture, impact and the torture that women go through due to sexual harassment at workplace.  Very often these women chose to remain silent for various reasons.   This was also followed by a group discussion and understanding of the Act in the present circumstances and the status of women.  She emphasized on the impact that the incident has on women supported by many case studies.  She briefly explained the various provisions in the Act.

A barrage of questions posed by the staff while handling cases and networking with corporate entities were answered. 

Helping a couple to strengthen the marital bond

Dimpy married since a year has a boy child of 1 month old. She left the matrimonial house after a petty quarrel with the husband leaving her son behind; the following day she went to her matrimonial home to bring the child and she was denied access even to feed the child.   She approached Sakhya; following which her husband was called for joint counselling.  The social worker also paid a home visit to her family to gauge the situation.  Dimpy is now happily staying with the husband and child in her marital home.  

WORKSHOP ON SELF DEFENSE

On 16^th April Sahya Women’s Guidance Cell organized a workshop on Self defence in which 38 adolscent girls participated.The workshop was conducted by Mr. R. B. Rai, chief coach of Yudanshakai Karate International. During the session Mr. Rai demonstrated many self defense skills to the girls. They were then told to imitate these tricks under the guidance of Mr. Rai and Ms. Bhosle. He also stressed on the importance of self confidence and imparted knowledge on how to build self confidence. The girls  expressed that not only did they find the workshop very useful and informative but also, they learned many self defense techniques.

Workshop on Positive Thinking

 

Sakhya organized a workshop on Positive Thinking on 15th February at Nirmal in which 24 women participated.Mrs. Evelette Sequeia and Mrs. Avidha were the resource persons who conducted the workshop.The workshop began with introductory session in which each of the participants introduced themselves accompanied by a different action. In order to lighten the mood of the day the participants were asked to close their eyes and to trudge along the hall with slow paces.  The women were divided into groups of 4 and each of them were asked to draw and paint pictures that depicted themselves and that which resembled their personality and nature followed by sharing in groups.  The sharing was very deep and reflective.

The next activity that followed was a meditation session led by the facilitator.  The session enabled the women to delve into deep crevices of their being and heal the pains and wounds inflicted over a period of time.  Later they were instructed to write on chits of paper all the aspects and limitations which hindered their development and subsequently flush it down a make believe toilet never to return. It was indeed an experience where women were able to give time for themselves in an exclusive manner.  They were happy and enriched with the experience. 

                       International Women’s Day 

14^th March 2014 was a day of joy, fun and camaraderie for the Sakhya Team and the Hospital staff of Thane as International women’s day was celebrated in Thane Civil Hospital. The event was organized by Sakhya – Women’s Guidance Cell.  The program began with a welcome song sung by Sakhya’s team followed by the lighting of the lamp by the chief guest Advocate Suvarna Pawse, Ms. Hilda Fernandes, Mr Rathod RMO of Thane civil hospital and women representatives from the community.  Ms Reshma presented a brief report of the achievements of Sakhya during the past year.   Two women from the community shared their testimonies and the intervention of Sakhya in their lives and how they have brought about a change in their lives.  The students from Samarth Vidyalaya School in Kalwa performed a very lively dance. Ms Kamini expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the Civil Surgeon and the RMO and the entire hospital staff for their support to Sakhya. Three people from the hospital were felicitated for their active collaboration and contribution to the activities of Sakhya in the Thane Hospital. Mrs Sanchita Parab community representative shared her personal experience of saying no to violence.  She also emphasized on the role of NGOs that strive and make efforts to give voice to voiceless women in society.  In her key note address Adv. Mrs Suvarna Pawse gave a gist of the various provisions in the law pertaining to women; the developments that have taken place in responding to emerging trends and needs to curb violence against women.  She also spoke about the flip side; cautioned the audience towards the misuse and abuse of these laws. The program came to a solemn close with the vote of thanks delivered by Kamini.