Durga

Durga works with ordinary citizens in public spaces, aiming to instil confidence and responsibility in them to become active bystanders against sexual harassment. Through a 21-day intervention, Durga engages with individuals and believes that as socially conscious citizens, they can play a crucial role in supporting survivors. Durga also collaborates with various communities, including ragpickers, girls from tea gardens, the Department of Women and Child Development, and bus drivers/conductors. By fostering open conversations on gender, stereotypes, power imbalance, and safety, Durga aims to raise awareness, address safety issues, and create safer communities. The goal is to empower people to take control of their own safety and involve men in finding solutions for women's safety in the spaces they occupy.

Building Blocks focuses on empowering adolescents with vulnerable childhoods to lead fulfilling lives and become equal participants in society. By promoting the right to a safe childhood, Durga helps these young individuals develop values and a sense of self-worth. The programme aims to build confidence, prevent harassment, and ensure that adolescents can identify and deter inappropriate behaviour. Through interactive and participatory interventions, Durga works with adolescents in juvenile homes, shelter homes (Government and private), and Government schools, with the goal of creating a brighter future for these individuals.

Durga addresses gender discrimination and biases in the corporate sector to create more gender-equitable workspaces where women feel safe and empowered. Its interventions focus on raising awareness about women's rights to safe working conditions and promoting their well-being and safety. Durga collaborates with organisations to conduct experiential workshops that sensitize employees on gender and safety. It also supports small and medium enterprises in establishing their PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Policy and assists organisations in designing policies that prioritize the well-being of all employees, regardless of gender. The aim is to maximize the potential of women's talent by fostering their safety and creating an inclusive work environment.

Recognizing the challenges of approaching a police station, Durga acknowledges the difficulty many face in overcoming this barrier. To address this, Durga introduced Box It, a system designed to safeguard women. By strategically placing complaint boxes in public spaces accessible to women, such as prominent bus terminals in collaboration with the Bangalore Bus Transport system, Durga brings the complaint mechanism closer to those who may find themselves in vulnerable situations in public spaces.

Durga strives to create a safe city for women and children through various strategies, including enhancing access and opportunities for reporting crimes. The initiative BeTogetherBangalore collaborates closely with the Police, Government, and civil society to establish mechanisms that ensure the increased presence of women in public spaces at all times. Its primary focus is on implementing or adopting plans to enhance safety in specific jurisdictions, working towards the overarching goal of creating safer environments for all.

This flagship Durga workshop offers a unique and immersive experience that enables participants to assess their own resistance against inappropriate behaviour and tap into their inner strength to address sexual harassment in public spaces. Through this hands-on programme, individuals are empowered to confront such situations in their own unique and effective manner, fostering a safer environment for all.