Pragya's 3 yr project on 'Empowering the Hinterlands'

The persistence of violence against women and girls is one of the most pressing issues of our times. The issue of Violence Against Women (VAW) only enters the collective consciousness of the nation when a particularly gruesome act of violence has been perpetrated, only to then recede into the background.

What is less spoken about is the need to address the issue surrounding violence, which often has its basis in the collective attitude, and the mindset of a community. And when the communities in question are those at the margins of society – as is the case with Scheduled Tribes in the Dungarpur and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan – the issue of VAW is often compounded by social and economical marginalization. We, at Pragya, recognize that any long-term change in the attitude towards women cannot occur in isolation of the overall development of the community.

It is with this goal of holistic development in mind, that the first Empowerment Centre (EC) - the Pragya Sashaktikaran Kendra – was inaugurated in Dungarpur on 19 April 2016. The Sashaktikaran Kendra, handled by a trained caretaker, will act as a one-point information access system about local government schemes, information about lawyers, NGOs and CBOs. The establishment of Women’s Peer Groups and identification of local women leaders will engage with the local Panchayats and the stakeholders in the community with a view to sensitize them about issues of gender discrimination and violence in the community.

Besides this, regular awareness programs about hygiene, sanitation, nutrition and a Know Your Rights (KYRs) Campaign are also to be carried out to address the issues that surround VAW. The strengthening of access to basic health and nutritional services, along with economic empowerment of the women, can go a long way in PREVENTING Violence Against Women.

Our aim is not just the redressal of VAW; it is prevention, through sustained engagement and long-term change.

Pragya’s endeavour is supported by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, managed by UN Women, whose goals are addressing the needs of women and girls in communities across the world.