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More than 3000 youth are leading a campaign to end violence against women in Sonepat, Haryana.
The Kadam Badao Campaign is a youth led campaign which is a collaborative effort of members (boys and girls) of youth groups from 20 villages and students of 2 universities. Recognising the critical role that youth can play as catalysts of change, the unique model of this campaign provides a platform through which youth are playing a pivotal role in bringing attention to the issue of violence against women within the state.
In a recently completed safety auditconducted by youth in 16 villages, 18 schools and 1 university in Sonepat, youth, young girls in particular have raised several critical questions on the lack of safety within their villages, academic institutions as well as their own homes.
On the basis of this study and various other activities of the Kadam Badao campaign, youth from the campaign locations have prepared a 10 point charter putting forth recommendations for ending violence against women.
This charter was prepared through a consultative process between 1000 youth from groups in the community and the two participating universities. Echoing the same were the voices of 3000 other youth from other districts who also endorsed the charter with their signatures.
Armed with their charter the youth are currently engaged in a campaign designed to coincide with the state assembly elections with the resolve of putting the issue of ending violence against women as a priority on the political agenda. In their engagements with more than 25 MLA candidates across political parties in 11 constituencies, youth were able to get personal pledges and political commitments from all of them on fulfilling all or some of their demands.
In the last leg of the campaign, members of youth groups prepared other youth from their village for engagement on the charter with visiting candidates at the village level.
Political leaders in Haryana are on the campaign trail and wherever they go, the Kadam Badao youth group are there with their charter of demands.
Pehelebataiyeaaphamareliyekyakarenge?â insist the youth, alwayscatching the candidates off guard.
Out of the ten demands, of particular significance are the demands of:
On 8th October, the family of a young girl approached PRIAâs Sonepat team for assistance after their daughter was raped and tortured by her husband. She was not given medical assistance at the civil hospital where she had been waiting since 6 in the morning. Medical care and assistance was administered to her only at 11:00 after PRIA team and members of the Kadam Badao youth grouparrived and that too after intense pressure was put on the CMO and his team.
This was not the end of it, the hospital also refused to admit the patient, issue a MLR and inform the police. The victim is now receiving care at the hospital, and an FIR was registered at 7:30 in the evening on the same day against her husband under sections 323, 506, 377 of IPS and he is in police custody.
"What is the impact of our work? Are we able to make any difference? We often wonder.And then something like this happens and we know we are doing something right. The enthusiasm among the youth is something you have to see to believe. They will not stop until they get justice," Said Nandita Bhatt from PRIA while talking about the campaign and its impact on the youth.
The positive action taken by the youth was covered by Dainik Bhaskar.
To read more about the Kadam Badao campaign visit http://priacash.org/kadam-badao/
To encourage the youth, LIKE the Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/kadambadao
PRIA’s MobiliseHER team traveled to Bangalore during the week of June, 10 – 14, 2024. The aim of the visit was to gain relevant insights into the civil society ecosystem in Bangalore and meet different organisations to understand the city through a lens of gender and inclusive mobility.
Working at PRIA, often leads us to various cities across the country. Each trip is an opportunity to witness firsthand the challenges and triumphs of different communities.
Mr. Yedukrishnan V has recently joined PRIA after gaining valuable experience in the development sector. Drawing from his journey in the social sector and personal encounters in Kerala, he emphasises the importance of participatory governance and research in empowering marginalised communities.'
