Abstract
Violence Against Women (VAW) is a public health concern. It affects the physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health of women. Despite rising levels of education and pro-women laws across India, VAW is a major concern in the state of Punjab. The aim of the study outlines the design and implementation of a community-developed VAW intervention. A 360° approach was used to view the complex interplay between individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors associated with VAW. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to identify community perceptions on VAW in the Fatehgarh Sahib District of Punjab. A community-based intervention named JAGO was designed and developed among a population of about 20,000 in 25 villages of Punjab. Operational meetings, IEC campaign, street plays, photography, gender sensitization workshops, painting competition, home visits, and village-level celebrations and pledge presentation ceremonies were also conducted.The results and best practices gained through this community-led intervention can serve as a model for other prevention of VAW initiatives, both in India and other like-culture communities. An important lesson learned from this initiative was that community action is more acceptable and there should be open discussion for the culturally sensitive issues.
Highlights
Violence Against Women (VAW) assumes myriad forms with dual implications; global public health threat and a violation of human rights (World Health Organization, 2014)
JAGO was used as a metaphor to instigate the villagers to take action for eliminating and preventing VAW, engage and inform communities on factors contributing to VAW including social norms, sensitizing them on the long-term negative impact of violence on victims, families and communities, leading to a pledge to co-create a secure village-level environment, actively promote equal treatment and well-being of girls & women, eschewing all negative social practices
The success of the program was measured through the commitment by joining the oath-taking ceremony by 3885 households out of 4174 households of the community. They outlined interesting quotes like, “daughters are the pride of the Punjab”, “Don’t kill them in the womb”, “educate me, I require no dowry”, “it was historic that all women were ready to fight violence against women” and many more
Summary
Violence Against Women (VAW) assumes myriad forms with dual implications; global public health threat and a violation of human rights (World Health Organization, 2014). While VAW affects both the female and male victims, many interventions have only been aimed at empowering women. Public concern for gender-based issues in India has increased with the passing of The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, a landmark constitutional definition of domestic violence (Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005). It extends effective judicial and executive powers for the protection of the rights of women and expanding their safety net. The cases of immoral trafficking have been increased from 17% in 2010 to 45% in 2012 (Economic & Statistical Organization, Punjab, 2012)
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