The program supports survivors of domestic violence and gender based violence in Patna district of Bihar, India. The program is aimed at contributing to reduced prevalence of violence against women/girls and lead improved efforts to provide necessary services to survivors of gender-based violence. Sahyogi make the community aware on GBV, educate women to identify GBV/DV and respond, provide counseling and legal aid support to the survivor and link them with existing govt. services for justice.
GBV prevention and response mechanism in Bihar are not yet institutionalized. There is absence of framework to address GBV through govt. Reporting gender based violence in community is seen as breaking traditions and cultural practices which discourage survivors and compel them to stay in humiliating situation. This result in poor standard of living, health and obstruct women's participation and their fuller growth. No response also perpetuates gender based violence for the next generation.
Project will sensitize service providers like police, representative of gram kachahari (village court), Community Leader, health service providers and frontline workers like AWW; who are the first contact person to the victim and generally discourage reporting of violence due to gender stereotypes and lack of knowledge about Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. This will create a conducive environment for reporting of cases and justice seeking behaviour.
GBV/DV cases will be reported, justice seeking behaviour of survivors, conducive environment for reporting cases, and sensitize service providers
