Stop Violence, Empower Women

Domestic violence (DV) is a form of gender based violence, which often finds its roots in patriarchal attitudes and behaviour of men. Hence, to prevent commission of domestic violence, it is most important to work for changing the traditional gender biased perceptions of men and youth about   their masculinity and to help them assume gender sensitive roles and responsibilities at home as well as in the society. Also, many women’s groups working on dv issues often want and need male allies to join them in their stand against violence. The efforts of men already working to stop violence also needs to be strengthened by creating a cadre of new male allies at their side. In fact, some men want to join hands in the campaign against domestic violence but don’t know how and they need to be given opportunities and spaces to participate. In these circumstances, it is necessary to engage with men for addressing the issue of domestic violence.

Your donations will ensure:

• The men from 10 villages will develop sensitivity and understanding about the gender based discrimination more specifically about domestic violence.
• In each project village, community support group of about 10 to 15 men will be promoted. They will assist the community support groups of women in addressing the domestic violence cases.
• Approximately 300 men and youth from 10 villages be reached out to make them aware and sensitize them about traditional gender biased attitude and behaviour.

The educational system in India is structured in a way that maintains the status quo as to inequalities that exist in the society between the girls and boys. The curriculum, text books, school uniforms, behaviour of teachers and school environment are all most of the time gender insensitive and gender blind. This type of biased gender socialization within educational institutions assures that the wrongful practices of gender discrimination are reinforced in the minds of the students and get perpetuated in the society when they become adults. This creates a vicious circle in which structures of patriarchy, like educational institutions, ensure gender biased socialization which in turn strengthens patriarchy. It perpetuates in the society gender stereotypes and gender discrimination. The Gender education programme is relevant to build in a gender equality perspective within select educational institutions by initiating a process of gender sensitization of various stakeholders of these institutions which include students, staff, parents, school teachers and school management.

Your donations will partly contribute towards increasing the understanding of approximately 500 students about the concepts like gender, gender based discrimination, gender stereotypes etc. Attempt will be made to inculcate gender equality perspectives in the minds of the students so that they will challenge the traditional gender stereotypes and will assume new gender roles. It will help them grow up as gender sensitive adults and make the society more egalitarian.

AfC will work with our implementation partner which will be a local NGO having good know-how and local recognition to implement this project. AfC staff will regularly monitor the programme progress and finances and help address the challenges being faced in project implementation.

Call on +9175007382292 to know more.

Domestic violence is one of the most pervasive of human rights violations, denying women equality, security, dignity, self-worth, and their right to enjoy fundamental freedoms. The consequences of violence on the survivor women are far reaching and  may lead to depression and anxiety, eating and sleeping disorders, feelings of shame and guilt, phobias and panic disorders, physical inactivity, poor self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosomatic disorders, smoking, suicidal behaviour, self-harm and injuring children at times. Hence, the first and the foremost support that the survivor women needs is the psychological counselling which would give her emotional/mental support. The counsellor helps the survivor understand various aspects related to her safety, wellbeing and rights. She/he explains to her various options available and tries to empower the survivor to take right decision to overcome the violence situation. The counsellor also ensures that the survivor gets required support services (legal, health care, shelter etc.) by making need based referrals to the other service providers like lawyers, doctors and shelter homes etc.

Your donation will partly contribute towards ensuring the victims of violence from 10 villages get an access to free and qualitative services of psychological and legal counselling. They will be further linked to the appropriate service providers like doctors, lawyers, protection officers, police, shelter homes so that they can effectively overcome the violence situation so that they can restore their legal rights and obtain justice.

Domestic violence is one of the most pervasive of human rights violations, denying women equality, security, dignity, self-worth, and their right to enjoy fundamental freedoms. In India too, amongst the different types of gender based violence, domestic violence is the most commonly prevalent form of violence. Even then on account of a wide range of factors like typical patriarchal mind set up, gender biased socialization, lack of awareness about legal rights, lack of community support mechanisms, privacy and stigma attached to domestic violence,   the women facing domestic violence  continue to suffer in silence. To address this situation, it is necessary to sensitize the communities that domestic violence is not acceptable, if committed it should be challenged by the survivor woman and the community should support her. It is also necessary to create awareness about the progressive legislation like Protection of Women against Domestic violence Act which provides for effective remedies and support services for women suffering violence. For sensitizing the communities and creating awareness, mass awareness campaigns often prove very effective.

Your donation will partly contribute towards increasing sensitivity and awareness of approximately 500 men and women from the village communities on the following issues:

• Concept of domestic violence and its causes
• The legal rights and remedies available to the survivor of violence
• The role and responsibilities that the  community can take up  in providing support to the victim of violence