CRIMES against women are a global problem. These crimes affect both girls and women and cripple the lives of half the people on the planet. Unless addressed and tackled, these crimes will result in the entire human population being unable to reach their full potential. Such crimes stem from discrimination against women that has existed as long as recorded history has revealed to us. But women’s rights movements have empowered not just girls and women, but all human beings whose lives are impacted by the lives of women.
Women’s Day is a prime example of this. In protest against poor living conditions in Tsarist Russia in the early 1900s, thousands of women held a strike demanding food and basic needs. This strike had a ripple effect that spread to other factories and was instrumental in the revolution that was to take place that year in Russia – in 1917. Recognizing the role that that strike played, March 8th was designated Women’s Day and has been observed around the world in recognition of the role that women play in shaping human history.
In addition to honoring this role, International Women’s Day presents us with a crucial time to examine the issues that harm women and find solutions to these problems. In India, these problems include domestic violence, acid attacks, sexual exploitation, widow discrimination and the dangerous taboos against menstruation. NGOs across India are tackling these issues head on by stepping in to care for victims of these crimes while fighting to eradicate the crimes at its source through legal methods and advocating policy changes.
Here are 5 dangerous crimes to fight this Women’s Day:
Domestic violence
In a home, domestic violence crushes the lives of women and children. Domestic violence is abuse that is physical, mental or sexual in nature and includes beating, kicking, punching, molestation, rape and even withholding food that causes starvation. In some cases, victims remain in that situation. But others who leave the abusive household are vulnerable to others who take advantage of their desperate situation. Sayodhya Home For Women In Need is a safe shelter for women and children escaping a dangerous environment. It provides a free legal aid clinic, skills training, education to help women break free from abuse. The NGO holds the hands of women and helps them rebuild their lives until they experience true freedom. This Women’s Day, support Sayodhya Home For Women In Need:
Acid attacks
Both strangers and acquaintances to women are perpetrators of acid attacks. Due to reasons such as rejecting a marriage proposal, revenge for a relationship that has ended or sheer hatred and malice, people – most often men- attack victims with acid, which severely disfigures their faces, burns the flesh off their heads and even dissolves bones. These women’s lives are forever affected and many cannot recover. Brave Souls is an NGO that was founded by an acid attack victim who reaches out to other victims and helps them with medical care, reconstructive surgeries, housing, education, employment, compensation for victims and has fought legal cases without a single acquittal. Brave Souls helps women turn from victims into survivors. This Women’s Day, support Brave Souls:
Sexual exploitation
One of the most debilitating – yet most common – crimes against women is sexual exploitation. This form of abuse leaves a devastating and often permanent mark on women. But the abuse is not merely physical. It also affects a person’s mind, behavior, productivity and interactions with other people. The most extreme form of sexual abuse is being abducted and “sold” into red light districts where they are tortured with no end in sight. Guria is an NGO that rescues women who have been trafficked against their will for sexual exploitation. The organization conducts raids in brothels, rescues women and rehabilitates them with safe shelter, nutrition, education, skills training and the personal support needed to get back on their feet and look to the future with hope. This Women’s Day, support Guria:
Widow discrimination
The discrimination against widows dates back to thousands of years ago when sati was practiced and widows were forbidden from talking to people, wearing colorful clothing, listening to music or participating in social life. While discrimination against widows has lessened since then, widows are still mistreated by their families and abandoned after their husbands die. In many cases, adult children who no longer want to care for their mothers leave them on the streets and walk away. Maitri is an organization that rescues these widows from the streets and gives them a home, regular meals, medical care, recreational activities and the companionship of the other women. For the widows at the home, Maitri is their second chance at life now surrounded by loving and caring women. This Women’s Day, to support Maitri:
Taboos against menstruation
The stigma against menstruation is more than not talking about periods. In homes, schools, workplaces and public places, taboos against menstruation exclude women from participation in public life, placing them at a disadvantage. The stigma against menstruation as something “unclean” prevents women from purchasing period products such as sanitary pads and they are forced to use discarded objects such as newspapers, leaves or cow dung. This causes severe infections and diseases and even leads to death. Pinkishe Foundation is an NGO that distributes sanitary pads to disadvantaged women who have no access to them and also gets to the root of the problem through awareness sessions to teach people that menstruation is a normal process of the human body. This Women’s Day, to support Pinkishe Foundation:
This Women’s Day, let’s fight crimes against women
This Women’s Day, your support to these NGOs can help women across India have the tools and resources to fight against the crimes that have hurt and disadvantaged them for generations. Just like the first Women’s Day, each March 8th can be a time to set in motion sustainable solutions to the issues that impact girls and women. Happy Women’s Day!
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.
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