28^th Annual day celebration of Sakhya

   

 

                                                          

  

 Like every year, Sakhya Women’s Guidance Cell observed annual day on 19^th Feb 2015 for celebrating success and dedicated service of Sakhya during the past one year. The day witnessed presence of approximately 300 people at Samaj Seva Mandal to participate in the program. Ms. Anjali Gokarn, field advisor of the students of Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work and former member of Child Welfare Committee was present as the chief guest. On this occasion Sakhya organized cultural program which comprised of the lighting of the lamp, welcome song, dances, street plays and spot games.

 The program began with the lighting of the lamp simultaneously a welcome song was sung by the students of Zila Parishad School, Nirmal. Ms. Josephine Silvera, member of Nirmala Institute welcomed the participants. The women of Giriz Sodality presented a street play entitled “Stree Shakti”. The achievement of Sakhya was elaborated by Geeta Goswami,  the staff of Sakhya  who was supported by two clients giving testimony how intervention of Sakhya brought changes in their lives. The students of Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work presented a street play depicting violence on women in its various forms. The young girls from Shivshankar Pada presented a dance on filmy music. To make the program colourful Bassein Academy of Performing Art group presented five different dances. The 9^th  quarterly newsletter; Hunkar cum souvenir was released by Mrs. Anjali Gokarn .In her keynote address Anjali Gokarn spoke about child rights with reference to laws related to Children.Spot games were conducted during entire the program and the winners were given the prize on the spot. The girls from Bandarpada presented an Adivasi dance.

Ms. Chatush Singh,the staff of Sakhya delivered the vote of thanks to all who contributed in making the program successful.

The program came to an end by singing the National Anthem.

Reshma (name changed)from Virar was married to a boy in Ahmedabad in the year 2011.  Hers was a love marriage against the wish of her father in law.  After the marriage Reshma started residing in her marital home in Ahmedabad.   Her father in law though never accepted the marriage; however she continued to stay in the marital home.  Soon after her entry in the home she started facing harassment and discrimination in the family.  She was single handedly made to do all the house hold chores.  Moreover she had to cut off all ties with her mother and was not even allowed to communicate with her.  Although her husband was supportive, however he could not challenge his father’s decision of not sending Reshma to her mother’s place.  In the course of time, she delivered a baby girl.  Even then soon after delivery she was forced to do all the household work.

Eventually her father got to know about Sakhya during a community awareness session.    The counsellor had a telephonic conversation with the father in law and made him aware that he was victimizing his daughter in law and should be cautious, lest she file a case of domestic violence against him.   He soon realized his mistake and was also willing to send her to her natal home.  Finally after 3 years of marriage, Reshma was able to visit her natal family accompanied by her husband.  

The United Nations' (UN) Campaign for the Elimination of

Violence against Women

25 November – 10 December, 16 days of activism to spread awareness against gender based violence by Sakhya – Women’s Guidance Cell

The United Nations' (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is an occasion for governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to raise public awareness of violence against women. It has been observed on November 25 each year since 2000.  

Sakhya Women’s Guidance Cell organized various awareness campaigns from 25^th November to 10^th December to support the campaign and to draw attention to the need for continued action to eliminate violence against women. The strategies to raise awareness included tempo rally, knock the door, collecting signatures of people who support the cause, newspaper campaign, raising awareness through street plays, and hosting posters and banners in strategic places.  These campaigns were conducted from Vasai to Nala Sopara and in Thane region.  Through our efforts we were able to reach out to approximately more than 5000 people. Volunteers, students and well wishers supported Sakhya in this campaign.  During the campaign we received several phone calls to know more about the issue and people seeking help from Sakhya. 

                                             

Woman – she decides to live free from emotional abuse

Deepti aged 19 years old, married since two years has a 7 months’ old son.  She had been a victim of emotional violence from the start of her marriage.  She reported that her in-laws were harassing her for bringing insufficient dowry and continuously taunting her for the same.  One fine day she decided to leave her marital home along with her son.  After she left the home she was unsure about her future plans, she did not know where to seek help. An ex client of Sakhya directed her to seek help.  With her consent her mother in law and sister in law were called for a joint meeting. At the end of the entire counseling process the mother in law agreed to arrange for a separate accommodation for the couple.  Deepti now lives happily with her husband, free from any emotional abuse and with dignity.  

        

On 28^th July 2014, exposure visit was organized for the community women of Bhagwan Nagar in Apurva Mahila Samajik Sanstha by Sakhya Women’s Guidance Cell extension center in Thane.15 women participated in the exposure visit. They were very enthusiastic and very curious to know about SHG groups and trainings.

   Training on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013

On 15^th June 2014, workshop on sexual harassment of women at workplace was organized by Gonsalo Garcia College in Vasai for 130 college students on the event of the inauguration of the Women’s Cell.

The main objective of the workshop was to create sensitivity and awareness regarding the Act and the legal provisions outlined to address sexual harassment.  Through the medium of a documentary, discussions based on myths and misconceptions,; Clipsy Banji and Chatush Singh from Sakhya conducted the workshop gradually building their perspective on the larger realities of violence against women.  They enabled them to understand the Act in the present scenario; i.e. the prevention and protection of women from sexual harassment. 

Subsequently a meeting was held with the principal, Ms Cecilia Carvalho and college faculty along with Sakhya team to discuss the formation and capacity building of an Internal Complaints’ Committee in the college to address issues arising in the college.