“CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

29^th Annual Day Celebration of Sakhya

 

While celebrating 29^th Annual day Sakhya Women’s Guidance Cell organized a grand event“Creating safe spaces for women and girls” on 18^th Feb 2016.  The main idea behind the event was to raise consciousness on providing safety and security to women and girls. The day witnessed presence of 350 people at SamajSevaMandal,Nirmal, to participate in the event. The chief guest of the day Dr.Mrs. GeetaBalkrishnan, Principal of College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan graced the event with her presence. The Guest of honour on the occasion was Mr. SampatRaoPatil, Senior Inspector of Vasai Police Station.

The Program began with the lighting of lamp which was joined by guests and Sakhya team.Ms. Hilda Fernandes, Director of Sakhya welcomed the participants, this was followed by introduction and welcome of guests by Ms. ShailaCrasto.The Program was anchored by Ms. Shraddha andMsBriliana. The 13^th Quarterly newsletter; Hunkar cum Souvenir and Training Manual were released by Dr. Ms. GeetaBalkrishnan.

 The girls from Nanbhat parish “Little Wonder” presented a graceful welcome dance. The students of College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketanpresented Sakhya’s annual report highlighting one years achievements in the form of fashion show .The women from GassDongri sang an awareness song. The Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and other dignitaries were felicitated by staff of Sakhya.

In her key note address Dr. GeetaBal Krishnan highlighted growth and vision of Sakhya and appreciatedSakhya’s effort to spread awareness at grass root level. She stressed the need to provide more safety and security to women and girls in the present scenario. She gave a message; women should get financial independency to strengthen their rights.

Mr. SampatRaoPatil shared his vision for safety and security of women and girls through better enforcement of legislation like POCSO Act 2012 and DV Act 2005.

 To make the program colourful a thematic dance was presented to the tune of song by Sakhya staff and two girls.A panel discussion was organized which consisted of Mr.Namdev, Ms. Marshan, Ms. Reshama, Ms. Rekha  and Ms. Sunila, a very vibrant discussion took place for 10 minutes . The Panelists used various ways to talk about the issue.The day saw performance of skit depicting gender discrimination and domestic violence by the students of St. Joseph College, Satpala.

The program saw felicitation ceremony of the winners of essay competition held during International day for elimination of violence against women and convocation ceremony of the participants of TOT certificate course. Dr. GeetaBalkrishandistributed prizes to 16 students, winners of essay completion from St. St. Joseph College and Mr.SampatRaoPatil awarded certificates to 17community women, participants of TOT certificate course.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.

Second batch of TOT certificate course (August 2015-October 2015)

From the month of August 2015 to October 2015 Sakhya Women Guidance Cell organized Training of trainers for the leaders of Vasai Dioces who are actively involved in the community development. Sphere training sessions were concerned with influencing attitudes towards humanitarianism and enhancing individual skills to deliver humanitarian action.

The various topics of TOT were Laws relating to violence against women, Christian marriage and divorce law, basic counseling skills,  domestic violence and educational visit to Court, Police station, ICDS. Finally on 21^st October 2015 convocation event was held at Sakhya to distribute certificates to 28 participants.

Anjali was married to Ramesh from Satara.  He works on a highway eatery.  She has three children.  After marriage she started staying with her husband in Mumbai city.  The happiness in the marriage lasted for a very short period as Ramesh started abusing and beating her.    She sought help from Sakhya.  She was counseled and subsequently he too was counseled in the court where he committed in writing that he will harass her no more and will look after the family.  

After this event Ramesh forced her to leave Mumbai and stay with his parents in Satara.  There too she was subjected to intense abuse by her in laws as well as her sister in law.  She had also reported that her father in law has even sexually molested her two year old daughter.   

When Anjali could take it no more, she decided to flee from the home.  However she was never allowed to leave the house unescorted.  Once she set out of the house on the pretext of marketing escorted by a boy, she fled and reached Mumbai without her children.  With no support she started begging on the streets.  Later she got in touch with her father who then sheltered her and motivated her to seek legal help. 

She has shown exemplary courage in filing her case, despite procedural hurdles from the law enforcement machinery.  She has also managed to get her children, who are now staying with her.  Meanwhile her husband has also filed a counter case against her.   She is keen to earn and raise resources to look after her children. 

 

Suman came to city from her native town in search of a job and in order to make a career.  While in the city she met Arjun and eventually they got married against her mother’s wish. (Marriage not registered)  She has two sons; the older one is pursuing law while the younger one is schooling.   Her husband is an office assistant and earns a small income, however, unable to cater to the needs of the entire family.  Suman was happy initially, however her happiness was short lived when she got to know that her husband is already married earlier with 4 children who stay in the native place.  She got to know this truth when he stopped supporting her and the children and that he has been sending money to his wife and children for their upkeep.

When she confronted Arjun about the same, she was subjected to mental torture, physical and sexual abuse and deprived of any economic support.  Suman unable to bear the hurt and pain any longer decided to seek help.  Her sons have also supported her in her ordeal. 

She has filed a non cognizable complaint and has registered her case with the district legal service authority for maintenance of the children, seek protection from domestic violence.     

Priya (name changed)accompanied by her sister Sumita reported being married for one year. It was her first marriage and husband’s second marriage after the death of his wife. He had a daughter aged 12 from first wife.  He was a government employee.  She reported that her husband was very aggressive.   He had been physically and verbally abusing her.  He had neglected her of monetary support and had threatened to throw her out of the house.   She suspected her sister-in-law who was instigating him against her.  

She reported that her marriage took place in a temple and that he had still not obtained any legal documents as proof of the marriage and has been delaying the process without reason.  Her natal family also tried to reason out matters with him; however he was unwilling to talk and even entertain them. 

On the 7^th June she had reported the matters to the Dahanu police station; however there was no proactive action taken by them. The counselor conducted a home visit to Dahanu on 21 June.   The moment he saw the counselor he started abusing his wife and became violent.  His wife and the counselor went to the police station to report the matter and file an application for register a case of 498 A; meanwhile her husband also filed an NC against the counselor with false allegations.    

The Senior Inspector of Police, Mr. Sonawale assured the women full support and cooperation, connect them to the Women’s Vigilance Committee for counseling and also extended support in terms of providing an advocate if the need arises. Meanwhile he immediately deputed the cops to produce her husband. He was absconding, only after repeated phone calls did he turn up. 

The Police Inspector cautioned him with dire consequences in case a 498 A being filed.  He was asked to immediately provide the ration and other financial support to her to which he agreed.  He also decided to have a meeting with Priya's family members within 15 days.

                                           

  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.