UNiTE! - ACTIVISM TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Every year November 25 is celebrated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The students and teachers of GCTE witnesssed the inauguration of women's cell and celebrated this day by organising some programs in the Research room. This day marked the the launch of the UNiTE campaign (Nov 25- Dec 10) — an initiative of 16 days of activism concluding on the day that commemorates the International Human Rights Day (10 December). This campaign, led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women since 2008, aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the colour orange is used to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls. This years’ campaign UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls will aim to mobilize all society to become activists for the prevention of violence against women, to stand in solidarity with women’s rights activists and to support feminist movements around the world to resist the rollback on women’s rights and calling for a world free from VAWG. Fom amplifying the voices of survivors and activists to supporting women’s organizations and strengthening feminist movements, we can all act to empower survivors, reduce and prevent violence against women and girls, and protect women’s rights.

The programme, compered by Ms.Kavya Sagar marked its begining with the theme introduction by Ms.Bhagya Murali. She traced the history and significance of the day. She said that violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” The adverse psychological, sexual and reproductive health consequences of VAWG affect women at all stages of their life. It was followed by Ms. Revathy's talk on the alarming statistics of the rate of violence and assault all over the world and within India.

What followed was an elaborate, assertive and conscience-pricking talk on Rape Culture by Ms.Bushra Ansary, focusing on the pathetic normalisation of physical assault against girls and women in society and in popular culture. Rape culture is not a myth, its real. It is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture. It is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety. Rape Culture affects every woman. The rape of one woman is a degradation, terror, and limitation to all women. Most women and girls limit their behavior because of the existence of rape. Most women and girls live in fear of rape. But men, in general, do not. That’s how rape functions as a powerful means by which the whole female population is held in a subordinate position to the whole male population. Even though many men don’t rape, and many women are not victims of rape, this cycle of fear is the legacy of Rape Culture. She then elaborated this with many examples. She used the example of one of the convict of Nirbhaya Case. Finally she concluded her words by saying the ways in which men and women can combat Rape Culture.  Ms. Sibana recited a contemplative malayalam poem titled 'Remote' to highlight the discrimination and violence meted out to girls even in their so-called haven , their own homes.

Reflections on the programme and on the importance of celebrating the day, were given by Keerthana and Mary, first semester B.Ed students and Ms. Abhirami, M.Ed student teacher from Mar Theophilus Training College.  She stressed the need to include the voice and opinion of men in the iasue of EVAWG. The event concluded with Ms.Sheena Elizabeth, Assistant Professor in English Language Teaching and General Convenor of Women's Cell, rendering a speech on violence against women, citing incidents from her own life, relating how these affected her physically and mentally and how she reacted to these situations moulding herself into a fighter-cum-activist through the years. This made the students emotionally attached to her. The program came to an end after taking the pledges to end VAWG and dowry.