Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

November 25 marks a day to speak up and shout out against the worldwide phenomenon -  gender-based violence. To mark this, and the beginning of 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Violence 2011, our friends at Must Bol kicked off the much awaited “Men Say No” Blogathon today! The online event helps to collect ideas, thoughts & experiences on the importance of men’s role and the urgency of the issue. ‘Men Say No’ will allow bloggers and readers to really dive into the many facets of violence against women, men’s reaction to it and everything in between.

You can read the first few entries over at the ‘Men Say No’ blogathon. Some of the CSR team are contributing to the blogathon too! You can read our thoughts here on the CSR blog and also on ‘Men Say No’ over the next week.

Everyone is invited to submit entries for the Blogathon between 25th December & 10th December 2011. Those who write a blog post during the 16 Days of Activism can link it up to the ‘Men Say No’ Blogathon page. If you’d like to get involved, visit http://www.mustbol.in/blogathon or contact kuber.sharma@commutiny.in.

“There is a need to start looking at women as human beings first rather than victims. Women are capable of looking after their own issues if the government gives them the right to governance, which has been on the back burner for decades”, said Director Ranjana Kumari at CSR’s National Conference 2011 on Why Gender Matters on Monday.

The conference, held at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi on 21 November, brought together leaders from India’s government agencies, civil society and renowned academic institutions to discuss action-based solutions to the issues of gender inequality and women’s rights and empowerment. Various speakers took to the mic throughout the day to address some of the key problems troubling women and girls across the country: pre-natal sex selection, domestic violence, human trafficking and gender and governance.

Kicking the event off during the inaugural session, Bharati Saliwal from UN Women said, “Changing the status of women needs a mindset change. Violence against women is not excusable, acceptable or pardonable.”

Three brave survivors then recounted their experiences of gender discrimination and of overcoming incidents of domestic violence and trafficking. One of the victims was forced to undergo the abortion of her second child since she already had one girl. When she subsequently fell pregnant with a third girl child, she was forced to leave her home and was abandoned by her husband. Another victim, a 48-year-old woman from Western Uttar Pradesh, talked about being married to a HIV positive man who died a year later. She tragically suffered domestic violence at the hands of her in-laws. However, with the help of CSR, the woman has since been able to obtain widow pension and register her daughter for the government’s Ladli scheme.

Nonetheless, the work to be done extends far beyond individual efforts and empowerment. Speakers of all four sessions at Why Gender Matters spoke passionately of the need for better laws and better implementation of those laws in order to improve Indian women’s lives. They also stressed the need for more interaction between media and the government.

Focusing on the promotion of action-based change through experience sharing and participatory discussion, Monday’s conference aimed to establish policy, programme or budget input for government agencies and representatives. The relaxed environment provided a strong platform for collective action amongst non-government organisations and civil society, and resulted in innovative recommendations for new approaches and activities for those working at the grassroots level on gender.

Attendees included key figures from the government, civil society and academic sectors. Esteemed speakers included Smt. Bharati Silawal, EVAW Specialist, UN Women, Dr. Roma Debabrata, President of STOP, Ms. Varsha Despande, a Lawyer from Satara, Maharashtra, Ms.  Bijayalaxmi Nanda,  University of Delhi, Ms. Poonam Kathuria, SWATI, Ms. Lotty Aloric, Lok Sabha TV, Ms. Padma Devasthali, CEHAT, Ms. Indira Jaisingh, President of Lawyers Collective, Ms. Madura Dutta, Resident Manager of Banglanatakdotcom, Mr. N. Sanyal, Additional Sec. MOWCD, Professor Simhadri, Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, Ms. Arti Dogra, District Magistrate Bundi, Rajasthan, Ms. Anupama Jha, Transparency International, Ms. Sunita Sehrawat, Ex-Sarpanch, Haryana and Dr. Praveen Kumari Singh, Ministry of Home Affairs and ACP Pratima Sharma of the Special Police Unit for Women and Children.

We’re excited to announce CSR’s annual event for 2011, Bring Her to Light, celebrating 28 years of efforts toward empowerment of the women and girls of India. Do join us on Thursday 15 December from 4-9pm at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi for an unforgettable evening of celebration through music, film, art and dance!

Bring Her to Light is an opportunity for our team, supporters, community members and friends to come together, share experiences and promote women’s rights. Doors open at 4pm. Get there a bit early to browse arts and crafts made by the women and girls of our four Crisis Intervention Centres (CICs) across Delhi.

Some of Northern India’s most promising young bands are providing live entertainment for the evening and are not to be missed:

8.15pm - Sonam Kalra & The Sufi Gospel Project (Delhi)
7.30pm – Jasleen and Sahil (Chandigarh)
7.00pm – [Premier screening of our new short film, a collaboration between CSR and award-winning director Ankur Kapoor]

6.30pm – Delhi Drummers (Delhi)
6.00pm – SlumGods (Delhi)

RSVP on Facebook and help us spread the word by inviting your friends!

HEALTH CAMP IN SANGAM VIHAR, DELHI: We are looking for volunteers for CSR’s latest project ‘Shuruaat: A new Beginning’ in Delhi. Can you help?

Shuruaat is running a Health Camp at our Sangam Vihar Crisis Intervention Centre (CIC), Delhi on  8th & 9th November to provide vital medical treatment to women and children from the local community. One doctor, one nurse and one assistant from Fortis Hospital will be joining us for the two-day health camp and free medical check-ups, vitamins and de-worming tablets will be made available to all patients attending.

We’re looking for young, enthusiastic, caring volunteers who can spare one morning or afternoon on Tuesday 8th or Wednesday 9th November to assist with running the Health Camp. Volunteers will assist in registration of patients, patient care, distribution of medication, and to provide basic healthcare information to the women and children of Sangam Vihar.

Volunteers are requested to bring one packet of multivitamins (iron/calcium/vitamin-E) or pack of glucose powder. Volunteers can sign up for either a morning shift (10.30am-1pm) or afternoon shift (2-5pm) and refreshments will be provided for at Sangam Vihar CIC.

If you are interested in this unique opportunity to give something back to the local community, and would like more information, please email Anubhuti at anubhuti@csrindia.org or leave your number by calling 011 26899998 and we will call you back the same day.

Do you want to give back to society, but aren’t sure where to start? We’re looking for enthusiastic, caring individuals to teach, play, and collaborate with children in the Sangam Vihar and Chattarpur areas of New Delhi, and an interest in alternative subjects and the arts.

Shuruaat, Hindi for ‘a new beginning,’ is a Centre for Social Research pilot programme focused on helping underprivileged children aged 5-18 develop holistically through exposure to less conventional but equally important subjects such as environmental responsibility, active citizenship, and visual and performing arts.

Most, but not all, of the children in these communities attend local government schools. And although they lack  any additional opportunities for learning and expression, they definitely have a thirst for engaging with new knowledge through creative activities and play. Shuruaat is about preparing this young generation to become active Indian citizens by developing their skills, awareness and compassion–no matter their family or financial background.

How do you fit in? While we believe that formal educators are some of society’s most important members, we also recognise that everyday individuals can change children’s lives through teaching, too. We’re looking for anyone in the New Delhi area with a few hours to spare on Saturdays, and a desire to share some of your skills and knowledge to some of our city’s most promising, but also most disadvantaged, youth.

For more information about Shuruaat and how you can help, write to sahiba@csrindia.org or call Centre for Social Research at (0)11-26125583.

By Sophie Hardefeldt, a Centre for Social Research Intern in the Gender Training Institute. Sophie recently graduated with a Masters in International Development from RMIT, Australia.

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to attend a workshop with Madhubani artist Ranjana Jha hosted by CSR. The workshop brought together potential artists from CSR’s Crisis Intervention Centres as well as staff and interns from the office.

The workshop gave us an opportunity to learn about Madhubani art, to view some of the beautiful paintings that Ranjana has created, to show off our artistic skills by creating our own painting and to come together for a colourful, creative and fun Saturday.

Participants had the option to design their own painting or to choose one of Ranjana’s designs. The designs ranged in difficulty and, given my lack of experience, I settled on one of the more simple sari patterns.

However, I quickly discovered how difficult it was to replicate even the simplest of designs! Nonetheless, as we worked at mastering the painting technique, some much faster than others, the paintings started to come to life!

Finally with Ranjana’s assistance appropriate colours were chosen, the final touches were applied and the painting was completed.

While I don’t think I have discovered a hidden talent for Madhubani art, I have developed a strong appreciation for how much time, effort and detail goes into every painting. Watching other participants completing their paintings and seeing the different designs was extremely inspiring and I look forward to future CSR workshops!

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.

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

Photo credit: legallyindia.com

Scrutiny of women’s mannerisms and appearance is common all over the world. From what they wear to the way they speak, everything is analysed down to the smallest of details. This week’s newspapers flooded with opinions on the style and fashion preferences of visiting foreign minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar, discussing everything from her favourite jewellery to the cost of her handbags. Nothing is left out – much to her dismay. Young Indian women yearn for the freedom to step out of their homes without being examined from head to toe.  Those that can manoeuvre through such scrutiny and forge their own path in public clearly then bear the burden of sexual harassment. Many believe women themselves are responsible for the increasing levels of aggression towards them because of the way they dress in public.

To counter this opinion and protest against sexual harassment and violence against women, an event called SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha is being held in the centre of New Delhi on Sunday 31st July 2011. The concept sparked several heated and controversial debates as to its value and reach.

Why ‘SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha’?

SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha means ‘SlutWalk, a.k.a Shameless Walk’ and is a form of non-violent protest. 19 year old Umang Sabharwal is organising the protest in the capital this weekend, hot on the heels of Bhopal hosting the country’s first Bersharmi Morcha on 17 July 2011. The concept is modelled on similar events in various different countries named ‘SlutWalks’ which have attracted worldwide attention. The first SlutWalk was held earlier this year in Canada after a Toronto police officer commented that ‘women should avoid dressing up as sluts in order to not be victimized.’ Indian organisers have changed the title and style of the event to keep it in tune with India’s conservative social values. Nonetheless, does using word “shameless” not suggest that women have something to be ashamed of in the first place?

How is the word ‘slut’ perceived in India?

While the SlutWalk movement gained momentum in the West, many in India were not very forthcoming in accepting this event. The word ‘slut’ is not part of daily vocabulary for the majority of Indians, nor is dressing provocatively to prove a point common practice. The event is no doubt directed towards the worthy cause of raising awareness of violence against women, but method and more importantly the choice of wording could prove a hindrance in gathering wide support.

“I agree with the cause, but the packaging is wrong,” says Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Director of CSR. “I try to counsel students not to alienate the majority of Indian women. The Indian feminist movement took many decades to recover from the damage caused by the American bra-tossing campaigns. Let us not ape the West unnecessarily and trivialise our fight.”

Will this Sunday’s Besharmi Morcha in Delhi  really make people sit up and take action, or will it claim its five minutes of fame then be quickly forgotten?

Whether women dress skimpily or cover up from head to toe, they are still subjected to harassment. The majority of Indian male mindsets are so drenched in patriarchal and conservative tradition that a walk by only a small margin of the country’s vast population will evidently struggle to make a substantial impact. The lukewarm response given to the protest in Bhopal two weeks ago, where only 50 people turned up, is an indicator of the lack of support Sunday’s walk in Delhi is likely to suffer from. A movement in protest of violence against women will become successful only when women and men of all ages and walks of life come forward and loudly condemn violence. It remains to be seen whether the SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha this weekend will have any effect whatsoever, or at least any positive effects.