Kupwara: An awarness programme on crimes against women including domestic violence, dowry, rape and other was held at Degree college for women Kupwara in which hundreds of women participated. The programme was attended by renowned social activist Shabnam Hashmi and many other social workers.
Crimes against women are increasing at an alarming rate. Some common forms of violence against women are domestic violence, rape, dowry deaths, female infanticide, forced child marriage, abduction, and cases of acid throwing on women. Women are not safe in their private as well as the public sphere. But a very few number cases are reported and only a small percentage of those accused get punished. According to the data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in comparison to prior years, there has been a 15.3% increase in crime against women in 2021. Most of the cases of violence come from “Cruelty by husband or his relatives’’ (31.8 percent).
Gender roles in society are directions about how one is supposed to speak, behave, and dress according to their sex. Distinct gender roles are one major reason for violence against women. Our society has long been dominated by these gender norms and relationships.
One Billion Rising is a global campaign, founded by Eve Ensler, to end sexual violence against women. The “billion” refers to the UN statistic that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, or about one billion. Each year OBR is observed in more than 150 countries across the world. This is the tenth year of OBR.
Anhad started the Community Centre in Khumriyal on 15 November, 2022. The Anhad Community Centre apart from running a public library and reading room, computer classes, vocational training in Crewel embroidery in Kalaroos, machine knitting classes and production at the centre and Kanthpora, is also working to end violence against women and sensitizing both women and men about the need for gender equality.
Anhad is overwhelmed at the response from women of villages around Khumriyal. Today young women from more than 10 villages take part in this program. Many of them are regular visitors to the Community Centre.
As part of the program two exhibitions have been displayed. One exhibition called Behind the Veil is a well researched and designed exhibition on violence against women; the second exhibition is of paintings done by Anhad Community Centre students.
Anhad plans to expand the work and reach out to women in at least 15-20 villages in the coming year and apart from programs organize trainings and sessions on issues related to gender equality, drug abuse, mental health as well as expand support to women to earn livelihood.
Today’s program was organised by Anhad Community Centre, Khumriyal in collaboration with OBR India and Govt Degree College (Women)
