Building confidence of the client

When Anjana received the notice from the court for divorce filed by her husband; she was worried and anxious; not confident that she would be able to face the proceedings and the trial.  Due to resource constraints she was unable to seek professional guidance from the advocate.  She approached Sakhya and expressed her unwillingness to consent to the divorce. After persistent follow up and counseling she was enabled to boldly face the trial proceedings and even present her side of the story in a bold manner.  Her case has been put for mediation by the judge who conducted the hearing and she has also been assured of free legal guidance if required.   

International Women’s Day

8 March was just another incomparable day in the year 2014 for the 1500 women from the different parishes of Vasai Diocese; who had gathered at the Bhandari Hall, Devtalao to express their solidarity with other women and celebrate their joy and feeling of fulfilment of being a WOMAN. 

Sr Hilda Fernandes welcomed each one present to celebrate the day and seek to bring about a change in the lives of each of the women followed by the lighting of the lamp by His Eminence Archbishop Felix Machado, Ms Hema Bhanga, Ms Hilda Fernandes, Ms Celine Almeida and Ms Philomena Fernandes.The achievements of the Commission for Women during the last year were highlighted by Mrs Flory Rodrigues accompanied by a power point presentation.

The women groups from 5 different parishes namely: Giriz, Gokhivere, Remedy, Nandakhal,  Shirley Wadi and Rajodi each put up a group dance with colourful costumes and took the audience on a cultural ride with their performance.  The group from Giriz performed a very soul inspiring Street play on women who decided to break the chains of bondage and willing to soar in the sky.

The event was graced by the luminous presence of his Eminence Archbishop Felix Machado.  In his key note address he reiterated and emphasized the innate skills and capacities of the women to organise and plan and meticulous about the details; he pledged his support to the endeavours of women in the Archdiocese.  Ms Hema Bhanga was the Chief Guest of the day.  She expressed being happy as a woman witness;  who dared to make a difference in a male dominated society by choosing a career in the Indian Police System and winning a Gold Medal for India in Sports.  

Sr Hilda Fernandes delivered the vote of thanks; she expressed her gratitude for the support and collaboration from the Archdiocese, the commission and the parishes  

                                                  27^th Annual Day Celebration of Sakhya

  

While celebrating the success and dedicated service during the past 27 years, Sakhya organized “ARISE, AWAKE and ACT for CHANGE” a grand event to mark the 27th Annual Day on 22^nd February with the sole objective of sensitizing  youth and people towards atrocities on women which increasing at an alarming rate.  The day witnessed the presence of more than 300 people at Samaj Seva Mandal to participate in the event. The program included a street play competition for youth groups of different Schools, Colleges and Institutions on gender discrimination and gender based violence.

The chief guest of the day Dr. Cecelia Carvalho, Principal of St Gonzalo Garcia College graced the event with her presence.  The event began with a welcome song sung by the Sakhya staff, this was followed by the lighting of the lamp by the guests and Sakhya team. The 7^th quarterly newsletter; Hunkar cum souvenir was released by Dr Cecilia Carvalho.  Ms Hilda Fernandes, Director of Sakhya welcomed the participants.

In her key note address Dr. Cecelia Carvalho appreciated the hard work of Sakhya to make an impact and bring to fore the different issues affecting the women in the Indian society. She gave an insight and shared her own perspectives to bring to light the changes that have taken place over the years. The young girls from Shiv Shankarpada presented a graceful dance .

Nine groups from different schools, colleges and institutions put up street plays on the issues grappling women in our society.  The nine groups were:  Nirmala Mata School, St. Joseph Senior College of Commerce & Arts, Uttan, St. Joseph College Satpala, Carmel Convent High School, St. Thomas High School, St. Anthony Convent High School, Prabhat Colony Theatre Group, Nav Taare Youth Group. The street plays depicted violence on women in its various forms.  Those on the panel of Judges were: Ms. Clipsy Banji and Mr. Maxwell Rose who announced the winners of the day on the basis of their performance.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                  
 Nirmal Mata, Manikpur bagged the first prize; St. Joseph College, Satpala second prize, and Carmel Convent, Nandakhal third prize.  All the participants were awarded certificate of participation.  Ms Chatush Singh delivered the vote of thanks to all who contributed in making the event successful.  The program came to a close by singing the National Anthem. 

Husband seeking to rebuild his relationship with his estranged wife

Mr. Binod married since 3 years; has a son 2 years’ old.  He expressed to the counselor that due to some petty quarrels in his married life; his wife has gone to her natal home for the last 3 months and refused to come to the marital home.  During the time that they stayed together in the marital home; they did have occasional quarrels; his wife was suspicious about him, was instigated by her mother and used to give in to her mother’s views about Binod.  Her parents also used to pressurize him to make his paternal property in his name; he said that he could not do so as he has another brother who also has a share in the same.   He also reported that his wife accused him of assaulting and abusing her.

Before he approached Sakhya; he tried another attempt to bring his wife back but to no avail.  Thus he approached Sakhya to intervene and help him rebuild his married life.  After hearing his side the counsellor called up his wife and had a telephonic conversation.  When she was called for a joint interview she refused to come; however she did oblige to speak over the phone.  The counsellor had several telephonic sessions with her over the phone.  Binod reported to Sakhya that his wife has returned to the marital home and now they are both happy.       

Decision of a wife and daughter to stop being victims in an abusive environment within the family 

Case profile

Arati who has completed her MA and B.Ed. (name changed) hails from a middle class family comprising of her parents and two older brothers aged 30 and 28 respectively. Father is retired as a lecturer in college while the mother is a home maker; one of her brothers is pursuing his MA in English literature while the other is house bound due to being a victim of polio.  

Her brother has been unable to clear his MA due to negative peer influence, indulging in viewing porn and circulating sms related the same.  He is also intimidated by Arati and her academic performance and holds a certain grudge and revenge against her.  He begins to send her obscene images on her mobile and harasses her emotionally, at time making sexual advances.  The mother is aware of her torments and informs the father about it; he turns a deaf ear to their plight; both the women are emotionally abused.  

The counselor of Sakhya reinforces Arati’s coping mechanisms by helping her focus on her various resources; seek alternate accommodation, look for a job till the time that the abusive environment has scaled down.  The counselor seeks a joint meeting with the father; who initially expresses a lot of anger and resistance for being called on the phone.  However he agrees to meet the counselor.  After a joint meeting with the mother and the father; the counselor enables the parents to understand their roles to support their daughter and not to reinforce or support the abusive behavior of their son.  Arati continues to reside in the family is now working as a teacher; and the father has stopped her brother from entering the house and troubling the family in any way.

The event “ARISE, AWAKE AND ACT FOR CHANGE” is organized on 22nd  February 2014 to celebrate the presence of Sakhya for the last 27 years . The goal of this event is to sensitize youth and people to the atrocities on women, and to give rise to a gender bias-free society. The youth from the different NGOs, Colleges would be participating in this event.