'We Can' end domestic violence by winning over people
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Bhubaneswar: The ‘We Can’ India campaign believes that Change Makers – people who actively encourage more positive attitudes and behaviour towards women in the communities they live and work in – have the potential to effect positive change by making people think differently about gender discrimination and violence against women, particularly domestic violence.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Change Makers Assembly, held today to highlight and honour the efforts of 350,000 Change Makers (working in 170 districts in the 12 states of the country to affect people’s hearts and change the mindsets of entire communities towards domestic violence) Snehna Misra of ‘We Can’ Orissa said, “to end all violence against women there needs to be a new and collective understanding stemming from changed mindsets, altered behaviour and new beliefs about gender inequities and violence against women.” This, explained, Anita Bharatiya of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Rajasthan (a campaign ally), is the core endeavour of the ‘We Can’ campaign. “By providing information, alternate ideas and social values, campaign allies and the Change Makers they have enlisted enable men and women to realize they have potential to change their own lives and help them work towards ensuring violence-free lives for women. ‘We Can’, thus, serves as a trigger for a new societal consciousness.” The ‘We Can’ India campaign is active in the 13 states of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Uttaranchal. The campaign is currently being taken forward by over 300 organisations. It is part of the larger six-year, six-country South Asia campaign to end all violence against women (‘We Can’) launched in 2004 in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and in 2006 in Afghanistan to unite men and women into an organized mass movement to transform existing power relations in society and within homes. By 2011, ‘We Can’ will mobilize five million Change Makers in these six countries. Each of them will reach out to at least ten others so as to reach 50 million people in an effort to symbolically link up with the 50 million missing women in South Asia. Sarat Mahapatra, Lokpal, Government of Orissa, K B Sign Deo, Minister for Urban Development and Public Enterprise, Government of Orissa and Tulasi Munda, tribal leader, extended their greetings and support to the campaign. The National Change Makers Assembly that is to last till December 12 is packed with action-oriented outreach activities like cultural programmes and workshops to highlight campaign messages – the most significant of which is Equal Relationships are Violence Free. ‘We Can’ lays particular emphasis on domestic violence in each of the six countries. In India two-third women between the ages of 15 and 49 are subject to domestic violence, according to the UN Population Fund. According to a recent report by UNICEF, 69 million children witness violence within homes. Change Maker Dhanam from Tamil Nadu says, “ We are all working to dispel the notion that domestic violence is ‘too personal’ or ‘private’ and unsuitable for mediation. By providing a public space to this issue and talking repeatedly about the issue we are making the issue a public concern. We are saying domestic violence is everybody’s business as it affects people adversely.” “Campaign allies are working with a variety of groups like civil society groups, universities, medical practioneers, religious leaders, corporate bodies, housewives, teachers, lawyers, students and policy makers among other groups to raise awareness on the insidious problem of domestic violence, said Sneha Misra. “The problem is intractable as it occurs within closed doors. But we are determined to bring it out into the open to find solutions and provide safe homes for women. It is sad that women face the most violence in the place that is meant to be a sanctuary for them,” she added. |
User comments
"I believe We Can end domestic violence..."Author:
geetha bhardwaj
Time: 21.12.2006 08:14
Comment: It is wonderful to see that the unceasing campaign to bring domestic violence, (violence against women, specifically) has resulted in laws that cause agents of the patriarchal system, men as well as women, to sit up and think twice before subjecting women - specifically wives, daughters-in-law and daughters to different levels and types of violence. It is a indeed a great achievement of the women's movement that parts of the State, the judiciary and the police are recognising the systemic aspect of domestic violence and taking steps to curb it.
For every law that is made, we know that there are a percentage of citizens who will misuse it; at least we can say this for India. That does not mean that we should stop making laws. I am skeptical about linkages, if any, that the ‘interesting’ comparative statistics of suicides by men and women may have with the incidence of domestic violence against women. What the article is pointing out, is the need for sensitive people in society who are able to discern the human values behind every case and fight justly for the rights of each and every individual, woman or man. As is evident from the arguments above, we are still a long way away from that stage, and there is much work ahead for campaigners and ‘change makers’ such as those of We Can. Finally, I reproduce a specific incident narrated by Tulika Saxena and published in ekduniya-gender (a discussion group on gender issues) to illustrate how domestic violence is blended into the fabric of this society: ----- Original Message ----- Subject: Celebrity couple confesses to incidences of domestic violence "I am writing this to bring your attention to an incidence, which I found highly objectionable. This is about a celebrity couple participating in the reality dance show "Nach Baliye-2" being aired on Star One, and the man inadvertently confessing incidences of violence within their relationship during the practice for the particular dance show. On 11th December 2006, Star One telecasted the semi final round of Nach Baliye-2 in which three celebrity couples- Hussain and Tina, Yash and Gauri, Bakhtiyar and Tanaz had close competition, all trying to make to the finals. In this semi final round, Bakhtiyar and Tanaz (Jodi Number 10) lost their chance just by half point. This couple had been rated high throughout the series and obviously, they were shocked by the turn of the events as they were feeling confident that they will make through. Just to provide you with some background, Bakhtiyar, had earlier been pointed out by judges that he behaved aggressively. And although he was full of energy he was overconfident. After listening to the results the couple were short of words, but suddenly Bakhtiyar started sharing his experiences of the hard work the couple had done to maintain their top position in the show. He had said that he had taken this show very seriously. He openly said that he had been violent with his wife Tanaz. He said that he used to publicly abuse her, as quoted by him, "Abusive in the sense that I used to do lot of gali galauz". He said that when they used to practise lots of people used to turn around and wonder at his treatment of his wife. He said that Tanaz used to question, "Are other couples also treating their wives the same way that you do? "Is Yash treating Gauri the same way? Is Hussain treating Tina the same way?" Baktiyar stated that he used to get angry and irritated whenever his wife did mistakes in her dance step and whenever she took long to learn her steps. He said that he also became so violent once that while rehearsing the dance steps for one song "I am the Best"(the performance of this song was very much appreciated by the judges), where Tanaz missed (or may be did not do right) one step in which he had to lift her up that he just threw her down and she hurt her ankle. He proudly said that she still has a swollen ankle from that fall. While he was sharing all this, his wife Tanaz was standing, silently crying. Then they both hugged each other and cried for their loss. All audiences and judges stood giving them a standing ovation. I am shocked to hear all this. This was a clear case of domestic violence being openly narrated by a celebrity couple with such a pride (trying to show how sincere they were). It seemed as if nobody either among the judges, the participants, the audience and the management of the show had any objections. Is this the level of acceptance for domestic violence? Of course, it is clear, that this behaviour of Bakhtiyar is hardly an indicator of his sincerity for the show. Is he aware that his treatment towards his wife is punishable under the Domestic Violence Act? Moreover, I want to question the responsibility of media. Why have they aired this so casually as if this meant nothing? I am also wondering what the three judges of this show- Malayika, Kunal and Saroj Khan thought of it?" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here, the author has rightly questioned the producers and the judges in failing to use that opportunity to point out to Bakhtiyar and Tanaz, that as celebrities in the show, the fact of his being abusive to his wife in public would have been a disqualifier for further participation, because violence is not acceptable or justifiable under any circumstances and for any reason. Given that the show was aired, we have many witnesses and Mr.Bakhtiyar can easily end up behind bars, should a case be filed. However, I would prefer to recommend counseling as the first resort in such a case and hopefully the couple will look at this option to ensure an end to physical and non-physical violence in their relationship. Also of concern is the fact that there are many Tanaz's around us. Women who think that it is okay to be shouted at, or 'thrown' when they miss a step... May justice prevail for all. And let us all contribute towards this... Best regards Geetha |
"'We Can' end domestic violence by winning over people Cont..."Author:
buzz blore
Time: 20.12.2006 07:02
Comment: 4. Suicide Statistics of India
It is a common perception in India about men driving women to suicide. This is a major hoax created by Gender Feminists and Media Bias. The suicide statistics in India are presented from World Health Organisation(WHO) sources. One out of ten people dying due to suicide in world is an Indian. http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1821/18210960.htm It states that -- "The distribution of suicides by marital status reveals some interesting patterns. The rates do not vary much between the sexes for the never married. Among those currently married, while the rate for males is about 17 per 100,000 persons, the rate for females is 11.4 per 100,000. Among those widowed, while the rate for males is 21 per 100,000 persons, the rate for females is also significantly lower, at 6.6 per 100,000. However, among divorced males the suicide rate is 164 per 100,000 persons, but even in this class, among females the rate is only 63 per 100,000. While the suicide rate for separated men is about 167, for females it is only 41 per 100,000 persons. " ============================================= National crime records bureau (NCRB) statistics about suicides: http://ncrb.nic.in/ADSI-03.pdf It states that - : " The ratio of Male : Female victims of suicide was 63 : 37. Nearly 44.7% of the suicide victims were married males while only 25% were married females." ============================================================== Refer: http://www.who.int/ncd/mip2000/presentations/LVijayakumar/sld001.htm 5. Political parties criticizing: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1842770,000900010004.htm 6. Every year atleast 50,000 families (out of 70,000 police FIRs on 498a) for nearly 15+ yrs (total 7 lkhs 50,000 families or around 0.5 crore persons) including intellectuals of the country (5% intellectuals responsible for infrastructure in most countries) (like scientists, phds, engineers, doctors) wasted their precious time, value, money for 5 to 8 yrs(minimum time it takes in any court for dowry law in india) declared as innocents by hight courts/supremecourts/session courts. These ppl lost faith, trust on the justice system and governance of the country. Many out of these ppl (very elders) depressed, died, diseased, lived in fear cursing at courts at old age before dying. See how the resources of the country wasted for nothing. who is responsible for this? Is this the way country use/d intellectuals or resources for the country. No one cares poor real suffering several women who not even inside this 100% 498a cases. 7. A small count of the Misuse just from Bangalore Wipro Bangalore – 1300 Whole Bangalore – 3200 97% Husbands from IT, 3% from rest of the fields. Whole India across the last 6 years – 96% Misused, 4% Actual 8. See how the country is being taken of a Ride -- Look at the below article's picture shows old 60+ women - don't we have enough brains to realise that these people were picked out of the streets by the Fundamentelist Fanatic Feminists (consisting of Divorcees, Women with no familis and with no Usefull Jobs) and by the Hon Minister Renukaje to prove their cause -- And a Bunch of Media clicking the photgraphs and publishing the same not realising their photos pass on the message. http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/19/stories/2006121903781000.htm 9. A proof of Selfish Motives of Ministers drive to make Undemocratic Laws for Personal Benifits Like I have been mentioning that Ministers Make Laws for Personal Benifits so its more a Personal War and not a War for Justice of Common Public - How badly Democratically Elected Ministers Mis Use their Powers and their Seat of Power!!! http://www.telegraphindia.com/1021027/asp/nation/story_1329371.asp |
"'We Can' end domestic violence by winning over people"Author:
buzz blore
Time: 20.12.2006 06:54
Comment: Yes!! You can Win ove People - the Citizens of the Country if the Laws created were logical and UnBiased.
Study the Laws implimented in other countries they treat both Man and Women Equally unlike in India where the Govt has been terrorosed and paid to impliment the biased laws giving powers to Women to BlackMail, Threaten and Extort Money by Misusing these Laws is this not Domestic Violence?? As Citizens of India, we should not and are not against the Laws of the Country, drafted towards the intention of stopping Injustice and Violence. What we request is to have these laws modified and amended to decrease the loop-holes and the Misuse of these laws. Our Suggestions would be: i. There needs to be evidences provided / furnished before the Arrest of the Guilty. ii. Incase proved to be a false allegation, misuse of the law the complainant and the parties supporting the misuse of the Law needs to be severely punished and fined automatically. iii. Domestic Violence Act needs to be equally applicable on the Partners (including both Man and Women), Parents and Relatives. As is the case in all the Countries where there is this law. Why not in India? ==> If someone can push the The Govt. to make these Amendments, one can witness how fast you could win over People of India. Incase you do need to know of the actual Facts and Statestics with evidence (unlike most of the Media and Women Orgs talking with not evidences and proofs) please find them below: 1. RADAR did an extensive search of the UN Population Fund's website. Nothing there! Then a Google search. No luck! So RADAR finally contacted the UNDP Information Office. The UNDP employee was unable to find a statement in any UNDP publication that even resembled that statistic. Conclusion: The phony 70% figure was concocted by someone whose agenda was something other than reporting the truth. Latest talk that UN has accepted their mistake and withdrawn their report – has our Ministers too who passed this law based on that report of UN withdrawn the law or forget even think of amending or punishing the Mis users? Refer to the evidence at: http://www.mediaradar.org =========================================================================== 2. Actual Dowry Death Statistics against the fictitious ones publicized by the Scared Media and the Selfish Fanatic Women and Ministers elected by Indians (Man and Woman) to gain sympathy on fake grounds and for vested interests inclusive of Financial. http://encycl.opentopia.com/term/Bride_burning "Bride-burning is often disguised as a kitchen accident or suicide. Many cases of bride burnings are not reported as such, and the exact number of victims can only be estimated. In 2005, the latest year in which statistics are available from the National Crime Records Bureau of India, confirmed and reported dowry deaths, including bride burning summed to 7026. But the conviction rate of this crime remains at about 30% which can indicate that a good percentage of these reported dowry deaths are false. How many are actual bride burnings in India out of 7026 dowry deaths registered? Many consider about 5000 out of these 7026 deaths are by suicide and the actual bride burning incidents may be somewhere around 200 to 500." =========================================================================== 3. How Ruthless, Violent and Cold Blooded Women can be? a. Who killed Rajiv Gandhi?? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_suicide_bombers b. http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Assault+case%3A+Renuka+Chowdhary+discharged&id=70842 4. Women also Abuse: Refer: http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19981209/34350394.html http://www.ibnlive.com/news/act-wont-hit-good-hubbies-renuka/26051-3-single.html |
"Truth About Domestic Violence / Dowry Law of India."Author:
Rudolph dsouza
Time: 20.12.2006 05:53
Comment: This is a Report based on 5 years Research and Study on dowry Prohibition act, its use and misuse.This Reasearch conducted by our own Experts of MyNation for Save Indian society,and not funded by any gender biased organisations. We studied 1500 Plus Families, these are feed backs from them and from the reports published by media.
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