Reduce Gender Based Violence in Urban Communities

"We must united. Violence against women cannot be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance, by any political leader or by any government." Ban Ki-mood, UN Secretary - General

Years of mobilizing by society and women's movements has put ending gender baned violence high on the national and international agendas. Maitri continues to be part of this bigger picture to contribute to removing challenges that remain, in women's and girls' access to safety and justice. 

In July 2015, Maitri initiated a social media campaign to end violence against women. The campaign aims to encouarage unity in preventing and eliminating violence against women through the use of photos, amplifing a powerful and unified voice of individuals worldwide through the holding of slogans.This initiative crosses all backgrounds, boundaries, cultures, race, religions, societies and stratas, reflecting the need for men and women everywhere to come together to bring progress. Thus far, Maitri has been able to engage over 200 individuals to be part of the campaign from different parts of the world including India, United States of America, United Arab Emirates and Australia. Further more, the campaign has reached over 10,000 people worldwide, creating awareness on the issue of violence against women, encouraging victims and empowering survivors. Maitri intends to continue this campaign, allowing it to evolve into widespread awareness and inspire action. 

Next, Maitri's summer interns drew up lesson plans to host English language and rights education for women with no prior education. Underserved women who attended listened, debated and learnt much from their lessons. Topics taught included teaching these young women about the rights of education, skill development and employement which they are so often denied.  Maitri was proud to have contributed in this small to the lives of women in our community that they may be aware of their rights and freedoms on a basis of equality.

Earlier this month Maitri held a "gender" workshop with 17 youth in one of the local slums. The aim of the workshop was to make young people aware of what gender is, what constitutes ger-based violence and its inhibitions. Through this endeavor underserved participating youth were able to recognize a broad range of gender issues and were empowered to work as community mobilizers for Maitri so that more lives can be impacted through future initiatives. 

Apart from the activities listed above Maitri has also been able to deal with 10 domestic violence cases, during which legal guidance and counsel was given to victims and their families who reached out to Maitri for help. 

Shweta got married on the 13th of March 2013. Contrary to traditional Indian culture, she singlehandedly bore all the wedding expenses. Before the wedding, Shweta and her family were given the impression by her husband and his family that he was a professional engineer, earning high wages each month. It was only later that Shweta came to know that her husband did not even pass the 10^th grade and was working in a small company, earning a meager amount. At the time of the wedding Shweta had a fixed deposit of Rs. 50,000/- in her name. One week into the marriage, her husband and his family forced her to break the amount. When she refused, they threaten to throw her out the house. Shweta never imagined that her husband and his family would trap her in vicious cycle of mental torture and violence for her money.  As the greed and abuse escalated she reached out to her parents for help. In spite of hearing this, Shweta's parents did not come to her aid and asked her to try to settle the matter by herself. They clearly expressed that they did not want to get involved in the matter and that if she came back to her parental home they would not allow her in.

Few months on, still trying to heal her broken spirit, her husband threatened her by saying that if she would not satisfy him sexually every day he would resort to having extra marital relationships with other women. Each time she would refuse to give in to his needs, he would physically assault her. Shweta endured the abuse and often tried to reason with her husband peacefully. In response, he would shout, throw things and tear her clothes so violently that she strongly believed her life was in danger.

In November 2013, Shweta’s husband and his family threw her out of her matrimonial home. Following this event Shweta approached Maitri for legal guidance and was able to file a petition under Section 12 of the Protection of The Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, in the District court for a protection order. The Hon’ble Court passed the order in favour of Shweta and granted her protection.

Shweta’s experience tells a story of rejection and cruelty in the face of abuse but, above all, of human resilience to push through despite the odds.

Links:

• Maitri's campaign coverage in Gulf News