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. 

      

                                       TOT for ICDS personnel

On 5^th July 2014, Sakhya in collaboration with ICDS organized a workshop on “Women and Health” to make them aware of women’s health and its implications on the family and the overall society.  Sunila Bhise conducted the sessions.

The following points were covered:

·                     Status of women in Indian Society

·                     Effects of domestic violence on women’s health

·                     Family’s perspective about girl child

·                     Reasons for anemia in women

·                     Myths and misconceptions about health

·                     Role of Anganwadi workers.

The participants expressed that the session was very good and informative and that they had an opportunity to unlearn and also get to know information related to women’s health. 

Building capacities of Community Leaders on laws related to women

5 sessions were conducted in July 2014 in different areas of Thane to impart legal knowledge and laws pertaining to women and to build the capacities of the local community leaders to increase referrals and linkages of women in distress situations.  140 women gained knowledge on the laws and provisions.  Sunila Bhise and Chatush Singh conducted these sessions.

          

The contents included discussions on myths related to domestic violence, DV Act 2005,   filing of NC, FIR and writing applications to police stations.  The sessions provided a platform for the women to open up and express the violence faced and to seek assistance to address it.