Violence against Women (VAW) is a global phenomenon prevalent in all societies. Neither is this a new issue, nor is it restricted to any single class, community, society or country. Gender based violence is one of the most brutal consequences of the economic, social, political and cultural inequalities that exist between the sexes. It differs in its form from one society to another, depending on the level of development and the magnitude of patriarchal authority that exists within societies and families. Gender based violence is a phenomenon that in its many forms and manifestations, affects the lives of both women and men; it has deep-rooted impacts on the socio-economic and political processes that affect the realisation of achieving true democracy for citizens of a nation, especially for its women.
Haryana, a developed state, presents the anomaly of development. On one hand it has sustained high per capita income, while on the other, it falters on social development indicators like unfavourable sex ratio and low female literacy. Caste based and gender based violence, honour killings and female foeticide are regular and common occurrences here.
The project aimed to engage local governments at all levels to become effective in addressing the issues of violence against women, particularly Dalit women, in their respective areas. It strengthened responsiveness and accountability of local governments in addressing the neglected issue of perpetual violence against Dalit women. It also aimed to empower women by building their capacities and strengthen the constructive engagement of multi-stakeholders (civil society organisations/NGOs/youth groups/media/academia) with local governance institutions as a local support system and as accountability seekers to raise the issue of violence against Dalit women. This would facilitate appropriate changes in policies and administrative mechanisms in the state.
To enhance the leadership and analytical capacities of young Dalit women and facilitate their engagement with panchayats and municipalities on the issue of violence against Dalit women.
To promote an enabling environment for local governments to demonstrate their social and politico-administrative powers by providing adequate support and necessary action to deliver concrete results in ending violence against Dalit women.
To engage civil society groups (CSOs, CBOs, youth groups, media, academia and others) in creating awareness and building capacities of local institutions in addressing issues of violence against Dalit women.
To facilitate institutional support to local institutions in the implementation of the provisions and legislation to protect Dalit women against violence.
A total of 20 gram panchayats from Sonepat and Ganaur blocks and 2 wards from Sonepat and Ganaur ULBs in Sonepat District, Haryana
Strengthening institutions of local self-governance, in particular Social Justice Committees: The initiative primarily engaged with local governments at all levels to enable them to become effective in addressing the issue of violence against women, particulary Dalit women, in their respective areas. It sought to strengthen the responsiveness and accountability of local governments on this issue. Adequate support was provided by promoting an enabling environment for local governments to demonstrate their social and politico-administrative powers to deliver concrete results in ending violence against Dalit women.
Capacity building of women: Women were the focus of the project and hence empowering them as primary stakeholders to claim their rightful space was an important area of intervention. Capacities of elected women representatives were built to raise the issue in meetings. Leadership and analytical capacities of young Dalit women were raised to enable their engagement with panchayats and municipalities on the issue.
Building multi-stakeholder involvement on the issue of violence against Dalit women: Supportive mechanisms to panchayats and municipalities in implementing the provisions and legislation to protect Dalit women against violence was provided through multi-stakeholder awareness generation. Efforts were made to bring civil society groups (CSOs, CBOs, youth groups, media, academia) together to collectively voice the issue of violence against women at different levels. Constructive engagement of civil society organizations with local governance institutions encourages accountability and brings pressure for appropriate changes in policies and administrative mechanisms.
Operationalizing Social Justice Committees in Sonepat district and building the capacity of a field team of animators to understand and tackle the issue of violence against Dalit women.
Establishing Village Information Centres to disseminate information on Dalit rights, government schemes and pension schemes; most importantly, these centres have focused on the issue of having safe spaces for women.
Involving Dalit youth, both girls and boys, to help them develop awareness and an understanding on violence against Dalit women, through the formation of active and vibrant Yuvak and Kishori Samuhas. More than 50 youth groups received training on various issues of female foeticide, violence against women, RTI Act, health issues, political participation and leadership, human rights violations, etc.
Four pamphlets produced and disseminated: Caste Based Violence Against Women; Role and Responsibilities of Social Justice Committees; Scheduled Castes and the Role of Social Justice Committees; and Social Welfare Schemes for Scheduled Castes.
PRIA reinforced its awareness programme by working closely with some legal institutions functioning at the grassroots level such as Daily Lok Adalats, Legal Literacy Camps and All Women Police Stations.
Several village level camps, workshops and orientation programmes with a special focus on the Dalit community were conducted during the project period.
With support and coordination from the Sanjha Kadam Nari Network, orientation and sensitization programmes were organized to encourage women, especially Dalit women, to become members and take on leadership roles in Village Level Committees.
PRIA has always understood the importance of media in influencing the masses. During the project, local media personnel were sensitized so as to spread awareness at a wider level about such issues.
PRIA’s intervention in Sonepat district on the issue of violence against the Dalit community and in particular Dalit women has highlighted that discrimination and violence by the upper classes is still rampant and largely goes unreported. Despite policies, legislation and constitutional amendments to address issues of protection of rights and inclusion of the Dalit community and women, the reality on the ground shows that change has not taken place. The socio-economic and political conditions of the community have not improved to the extent envisaged.
PRIA continues to work with three important constituencies – Social Justice Committes, Dalit women and Dalit youth – so that the lives of the people from marginalized communities improves and they attain an equal position and status in society.
The Asia Foudation