This project will provide a 'Safe Home' for 20 women survivors of domestic and gender violence in remote Zemabawk village in Aizawl, Mizoram, a north eastern state of India. Lalthanzami from Aizawl, Mizoram is a survivor of domestic violence herself. She now works with women facing similar situations in and around her village. Through this project, the Safe Home run by her will be able to provide dignity, shelter, food, legal counselling, livelihood skills and leadership training to 20 women
Crimes against women have been steadily rising in Mizoram. The worst kind of violence happens at home and often go unreported. Wife beating is extremely common. Widows are often subjects of social exclusion and abuse from relatives with nowhere to go. Lack of awareness about legal rights is a severe handicap for women. In Mizoram, cases of domestic violence is high and yet Shelter Homes are unavailable. Legal and psychosocial counselling is inaccessible to most women, especially in rural areas.
The project will provide for a safe refuge to 20 women along with their minor children. Help in assessing legal counsel, medical help, regular meals, medical aid, psychological counselling and livelihood (skill) training will be given to women needing support. This will be a step towards enabling the women to combat domestic violence while accessing their legal rights and entitlements. Livelihood training and support will help them move towards economic independence and start a new life.
Consistent support to women survivors of domestic violence will encourage other women suffering from such violence to retaliate and step out. This will in the long term break the tolerant culture towards violence against women and current scenario of societal discrimination against women who walk out of abusive marriages. Just knowing that a safe Home is available, it will be easier for women to take a step towards an abuse free life. In the long term, atleast 500 women will be benefited.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
