Ever wondered who is updating the CSR Facebook page, searching for the latest statistics on crimes against women, or assisting our core team in envisioning, coordinating and facilitating our projects and programs?

We are always very proud of our enthusiastic young interns in the CSR office. Over the years we’ve had interns join us from both across the country and across the world – from Punjab, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra in India to Scotland, Germany, Canada and Georgia. They’ve worked on a variety of projects such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the I Stand for Safe Delhi campaign, Human Rights Defenders training workshops and numerous research projects. We’d like to introduce you to some of our current hard working interns!

Meet Kara Brown, Media & Communication Intern at Centre for Social Research, from Edinburgh, Scotland.

M&C intern Kara on the CSR office balcony

How did you become interested in an internship with women and girls in India?

Before moving to Delhi in July to join the CSR team I was studying Law at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and working in the not-for-profit sector. I’ve always been passionate about human rights and international development but it wasn’t until the final year of my degree that I seriously began to consider a career in this field. That was when I discovered Challenges Worldwide – an international development charity that partners experienced volunteers with social enterprises worldwide. It’s safe to say, the rest is history!

What is your role at CSR?

I work for CSR’s Media & Communications Division (M&C). My main tasks include social media, writing new content for the CSR website, helping with the newsletter & annual report, plus researching and writing articles for the CSR blog.

What are you most looking forward to during the remainder of your time at CSR?

We have a blog piece in the pipelines on how corruption affects the lives of women in India. I’m also looking forward to collaborating with some film makers who have recently approached CSR to document the work being done at our Crisis Intervention Centres.

What is your favourite thing to do in Delhi?

I love so many things about Delhi, but one highlight is my morning commute. Every morning I walk past a Hindu temple where people are worshiping, singing, burning incense and presenting offerings. There are street children cooking corn by the side of the road, rickshaws tooting their horns loudly, and cows wandering through the traffic. Then I step out of the heat and into the office to begin my day’s work.

Ever wondered who is updating the CSR Facebook page, searching for the latest statistics on crimes against women, or assisting our core team in envisioning, coordinating and facilitating our projects and programs?

We are always very proud of our enthusiastic young interns in the CSR office. Over the years we’ve had interns join us from both across the country and across the world – from Punjab, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra in India to Scotland, Germany, Canada and Georgia. They’ve worked on a variety of projects such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the I Stand for Safe Delhi campaign, Human Rights Defenders training workshops and numerous research projects. We’d like to introduce you to some of our current hard working interns!

Meet Prerna Dharni, Gender Training Institute Intern at Centre for Social Research, from Chandigarh, India.

GTI Intern Prerna Dharni taking part in the I Stand for Safe Delhi campaign 2011

What led to you joining the Centre for Social Research team?

I’m a single child and grew up hearing people tell my parents it was important to have a boy to “complete” the family. It unsettled me that people still thought like that. I’ve been interested in women and gender studies since an early age but it was really during my student life that my level of interest intensified. I graduated with a Masters in International Politics from JNU in 2010.

What does your role at CSR include?

I work in the Gender Training Institute (GTI). I mainly plan and execute workshops on gender sensitisation with college students, police, teachers and government officials. I am also the intern coordinator, which involves responding to applications and interviewing prospective interns. I also write articles for the CSR blog, work on awareness campaigns, and assist with our ‘Women in Democracy’ project.

What is the most interesting thing you have learned during your internship about women in politics?

I’m interested in the role reservation has played at the Panchayat level to empower women politically. These women exhibit confidence and provide hope for a more gender-inclusive political system in India.

What do you like most about living in Delhi?

I am a foodie and a history freak so Delhi is a perfect place for me to fulfill both of those passions! I love visiting old monuments and places of historical relevance, and trying all of the food that the city has to offer.

Ever wondered who is updating the CSR Facebook page, searching for the latest statistics on crimes against women, or assisting our core team in envisioning, coordinating and facilitating our projects and programs?

We are always very proud of our enthusiastic young interns in the CSR office. Over the years we’ve had interns join us from both across the country and across the world – from Punjab, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra in India to Scotland, Germany, Canada and Georgia. They’ve worked on a variety of projects such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the I Stand for Safe Delhi campaign, Human Rights Defenders training workshops and numerous research projects. We’d like to introduce you to some of our current hard working interns!

Meet Deboshmita Chattopadhyay, Development Intern at Centre for Social Research, from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India.

Development Intern Deboshmita Chattopadhyay at her desk in the CSR office

How did you become interested in joining the Centre for Social Research team?

I had just completed my Diploma in Industrial Relations & Personnel Management at Bharti Vidya Bhawan in Delhi before joining CSR. I think every research student like me would love to work at a well-respected organisation like CSR.  In particular, I liked the idea of gaining first hand experience via the research I’d be able to do and the interaction with people, as well as the prospect of analysing primary data.

What do you remember about your first day at CSR? And what is a day at the office like for you now?

My first day was a little bit daunting but soon, with the help of  new friends and guidance from my seniors, I came to understand and enjoy my role. My main project is a study on the Maternity Benefit Act 1961, which includes developing a questionnaire, collecting data, conducting interviews and preparing the research proposals.

What is the most interesting thing you have learned about women in India during your internship?

In this country we grow up with an awareness of the difficult reality that women and men are not treated equally. While on one hand a goddess may be worshiped by all, on the other, so many Indian women are the victims of cruelty, violence and exploitation. Coming to CSR has opened my eyes to the many interesting dimensions of this reality, and I’ve learned more about all that is being done to make my country a safer place for women.

What is your favourite thing to do in Delhi?

I’ve lived in Delhi for more than 6 years now, and my favourite thing to do has always been to take a stroll around the Delhi University campus and relish the spicy chole kulche and coffee from the road-side stalls.

Recommendations by Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Director of Centre for Social Research

Photo Credit: Pius Lee

Hands painted with delicate swirls of henna; a drop of red dye pressed onto her forehead beneath a colourful, sparkling veil; jewelled bracelets clinking as she lifts her arms to fix her delicate gold nose ring in place: the Indian bride is the personification of beauty and grace.

It is not difficult to imagine why the majority of Indian girls begin dreaming of their wedding day from a very early age. It’s one of the most important days in a woman’s life and a proud occasion for parents and extended family too. Sadly, however, not every wedding day or marriage is picture-perfect. Non-Resident Indian marriages (NRI marriages), for example, often result in pain, heartache, shame, and the manipulation of Indian culture and traditions. They are a curse for unsuspecting girls and an enigma for Indian society.

NRI marriages involve the union of a non-resident Indian man who was born outside of India, or has migrated to another country and a resident Indian woman. Parents, usually with their daughter’s best interests at heart, get excited by a marriage offer from a NRI – a man who is seen to be exotic, successful and wealthy (and who may even tell lies of the sort). Blinded by a seemingly lucrative offer, families overlook the potential dangers posed by this type of impulsive matchmaking.

You may be wondering - what is so sinister about a NRI marriage proposal? Despite legal prohibition of dowry in 1961 in India, the custom still continues in many parts of the country – especially in poor, rural communities. An ill-intentioned NRI will go to great lengths in order to get his hands on dowry payment and then escape scot-free. As outlined in a report by the National Commission for Women on “Problems Relating to NRI Marriages”, women who are married off to these NRI men face a variety of grim consequences. Some women reach the country of their husband’s residence, only to be left standing at the airport when he doesn’t show. These women are abandoned in a foreign country with absolutely no support, sustenance, means of returning home, and often without even legal permission to stay on. Others find themselves victim to ex-parte divorce from a court abroad, without their consent. Some wives are brutally battered, abused, malnourished, confined, and forced to flee or forcibly sent back to India. There are also NRI marriage stories of children being abducted or forcibly taken away from their mothers.

So what can be done to address the situation?

The first step in tackling these issues is to spread awareness. The more people are aware of the pitfalls of NRI Marriages, the more cautious they will be when a stranger comes asking for a daughter’s hand in marriage. To target the largest possible audience, awareness of cultural, social & legal aspects of NRI marriages needs publicised via all media outlets. Awareness programmes should be run principally in rural areas, where the most vulnerable brides and their families live. NGOs and State Government agencies could launch an extensive campaign to educate unwary communities about the potential dangers of  NRI marriages.

It is pertinent that registration of marriages be made compulsory in India. In certain regions, marriages are registered without the presence of bride or bridegroom. This malpractice should entail cancellation of marriage certificates. Most importantly, strong and stringent checks on registration of all NRI marriages need carried out. As laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, men and women are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution and both parties must freely and fully consent to wedlock. Registration and surveillance of NRI marriages will protect women from the grave consequences of scam weddings and marriage proposals.

Centre for Social Research urges the Government of India to draft new legislation and/or suitably amend existing legislation for the protection of women against malicious Non-Resident Indian marriages. A special NRI matrimonial law that deals comprehensively with marriage, divorce, maintenance, child custody and related issues, for example, would arm distressed and abandoned brides with much needed remedial armour. Amending current laws and introducing new rules and regulations would help victims of NRI marriages reclaim their fundamental rights to property, equality in marriage, the protection of family, freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment, and above all, dignity.

Every young Indian girl dreams of a future in which she is content and in which she is loved. Predatory Non-Resident Indians must be stopped from turning those dreams into nightmares.

Here are the top 10 news stories about Indian women circulating the CSR office this week!

Priyadarshini’s Mother Is ‘Disillusioned’ With Indian Judicial System: More than 15 years after the rape and murder of law student Priyadarshini Mattoo by a stalker in New Delhi, her mother says the long wait for justice and “less” quantum of punishment for the killer has shattered her faith in the system.

New Study Reveals Smoking Is More Harmful For Women Than Men: The risk of developing coronary heart disease is 25% higher for women smokers compared with men, according to a study published in the British medical journal `The Lancet’ on Thursday.

MSN India Launches “MSN She”: MSN India has launched a new project – MSN She – to reach out to women and provide a discussion platform for gender-related issues.

Surrogate Baby Boom in Bangalore: Following on from the IT boom, it’s the “baby business” that is booming in Bangalore now. Childless couples from around the world are arriving in the city to “rent a womb” and pay a surrogate mother to have their babies.

Denying Wife Access to Marital Home Is Domestic Violence, Bombay Court Rules: Depriving one’s wife of financial support and access to the matrimonial home constitutes domestic violence, the Bombay high court has ruled in an important order.

Rape and Murder Convict Escapes from Police Custody: In a sensational getaway, a rape and murder convict escaped from police custody while being taken to a Gurgaon court on Wednesday afternoon.

Indian Basketball Sisters Defy Gender Bias: Eyebrows were naturally raised when Priyanka, eldest of the five Singh sisters from India’s holy city of Varanasi, sought to make basketball her career, thus blazing a trail for sisters Divya, Prashanti, Akanksha and Pratima – all of whom share her healthy distaste for gender stereotypes.

Domestic Violence Victims Can Now Use Law In Retrospect: The Bombay High Court last week held that victims of domestic violence can seek refuge under the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence (DV) Act (2005), even in cases that occurred before the legislation came into force if the abuse continued thereafter.

Indian Women Bloggers Find Their Voice, In Their Own Language: As the Internet opens up to different Indian languages, the profile of India’s female bloggers is turning out to be far more complex than many commentators might have suspected.

Revered Bonds of Rakhi Know No Boundaries: Not everyone realises that the significance of Rakhi extends beyond the brother-sister relationship. In large parts of the country, Raksha Bandhan is a gender-neutral festival with female family members tying the holy thread around one another’s wrists to express solidarity and affection.

Here are the top 10 news stories about women in India that caught our attention at the CSR office this week!

Sex crime cases to be fast-tracked: State government has requested that Bombay High Court allow cases of crime against women pending for longer than 1 year be transferred to fast track courts. There are also 12 new special courts to deal with cases of rape and molestation.

‘Baba’ Held For Raping Rape Victims: After starting up an NGO in Delhi to help women fight harassment at the hands of their employers, instead of proving their saviour Baba Wam Dev Ram instead become a predator of the worst kind.

Women Seek New Avenues of Justice: Members of Kalayika, a consortium of different women’s organisations, gathered in Vijayawada for a two-day workshop of the Court of Women. They discussed the different forms of abuse against women and new possible avenues for justice.

Child Marriage a Scourge for Millions of Girls: A girl under the age of 18 is married every three seconds — that’s 10 million each year — often without her consent and sometimes to a much older man. A special report by Trustlaw explains why child marriage is one of the biggest development issues of our time.

India Calls Ceasefire On India-Bangladeshi Border Crossings: Efforts to transform the India-Bangladesh border from a zone of terrorism, smuggling and human trafficking into a peaceful barrier took a big step forward last week. India’s Border Security Force pledged to stop shooting people who cross from one country to the other. (Over 300,000 Bangladeshiwomen and children have been trafficked to India in the past decade.)

New Delhi’s SlutWalk Disappoints: Despite all prior hype, the Delhi SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha was a lot of talk but actually little walk.

Government To Recruit 1582 Women Home Guards: Bihar has reserved 10% posts for women home guards – the majority will be placed in rural areas. A record number of young women are swarming the district collectorates and police lines to submit their forms!

Teenage Girl Set On Fire After Resisting Rape: A teenage girl in northern India is fighting for her life in hospital after two youths set her on fire because she resisted their attempts to rape her.

AIIMS Turns A Blind Eye As Women Are Sexually Assaulted: Sordid details emerged this week of sexual harassment by senior doctors and administration staff at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Childfund India Invests Rs 80 crore in Women and Children in South India: On Thursday the NGO ChildFund India announced plans to spend Rs 80 crore on Karnataka’s women and children through a variety of projects.

This is part two of a two-part series. Read part one here.

Despite the flowery language and hype of the press, the Delhi SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha was a lot of talk but actually little walk. While reports say hundreds of participants gathered for the much-anticipated march, in reality, hundreds of inquisitive journalists and spectators circled round only a handful of activists.

Participants assembled in the scorching heat on Sunday morning in Jantar Mantar. They brandished brightly coloured placards reading, “walk of NO shame” and “change your thinking, not your clothes”. But it wasn’t long before they were met by the restraints of the police  – who cut short the length of the march. The very essence of the SlutWalk movement is in response to a comment made by a Canadian policeman that led to outrage. Yet ironically, it was the Delhi police who flattened Sunday’s protest. This SlutWalk was more like a brief saunter around the block.

The upshot of Delhi’s Besharmi Morcha is that students actively displayed awareness of sexual aggression towards women. The movement opposing violence against women needs the support of young people who will encourage others to denounce these acts. That said, lack of support from local men and women was evident. There are over 12 million people living in the capital, but only a couple of hundred travelled to Jantar Mantar last weekend to see what all the fuss was about. Perhaps others don’t agree with the cause. Maybe they simply aren’t interested. It is more likely that the meaning behind the event was unclear. SlutWalk participants in other countries wore provocative clothing such as underwear, fishnet tights, and thigh-high boots to prove their point. However, out of respect for cultural sensibilities, Delhi organisers invited women to dress in their every day clothes to march. The question, therefore, is why use the connotations of “slut” and “shame”?  Was this a protest against society’s attitudes towards the way women dress or was this a protest against the actions and opinions of the police force? Whatever the reason, the message felt muddled. Somewhere between its origins in Canada and arrival in India, the purpose of ‘SlutWalking’ appears to have gotten lost in translation.

A SlutWalk is simply not the right vehicle for change in Delhi. Rape and sexual harassment are often not linked to the way women dress. Be it in jeans or saris, on the streets or at home, women face harassment by people they know or by complete strangers. A SlutWalk alienates a part of Indian society who cannot relate to the experience of being called a ‘slut’, but fall victim to sexual assault regardless. Using this word also attaches negative connotations to the image of women and instantly puts many people off. In order to really implement change we need to reach out to everyone – no matter what their background or level of exposure to contemporary ideals.

The main gist of the SlutWalk movement is certainly worth re-iterating – whatever the circumstances, sexual harassment and rape should never be blamed on the victim. Any future campaigning should involve collaboration between all organisations working in this field. By coming together, we can take advantage of a pool of knowledge and experience, youthful enthusiasm and fresh insight so as to best make Delhi a safer place for women.