Report By
Ms. Sasmita Mohanty
Joint Secretary Project Swarajya
A Workshop on 'Violence against Women & Trafficking' was held on 31st August 2002 at Redcross Cyclone Centre, Kharinasi, Mahakalapada, Kendrapara. The programme, jointly sponsored by Inner Wheel Club Cuttack Central, Narishakti and Project Swarajya, was held under the aegis of JEETA.
The Programme started at 9 AM with registration of the participants. Surprisingly despite heavy showering, a large number of people came to attend the meeting.
The aims and objectives of this programme were presented by Mrs. Dolli Dash, Secretary Project Swarajya.
The programme started at 11.30, presided over by Mrs. Abanti Behera, the Member Panchayat Samiti Marshaghai. The Welcome song was sung by the members of Narishakti, which was followed by the self-introduction of the participants. The participants were from the NGOs like VARRAT, SEEDS, PALLAVI, GARRVO, CCUEV, JKSS, Utkal Naba Surya Club, VPDO, JJCM, UNS club, Fisher Women's Co-operative Society, Members of Panchayati Raj Institution, Teachers along with local women of Kharinasi.
As per the agenda, the discussion centred round different issues of women related to violence against them and trafficking. The deliberations were participatory.
To start with the Ex-Sarapanch of Kharinasi, Mr. Narayan Haldar asked the different NGO representatives and the women participants to tell about their own experience, difficulties and possible solutions in their area.
Ms. Minakshi Das of GARRVO told her experiences that she always get information about the incidences when take place. Some time she has tried to counsel the family members not to dispose the girl. Every time she was failure since they demand for rehabilitation of their daughters.
Representative of VARRAT also put same experience. She has been working there for last 10 years. She had also attempted to take legal action against child marriage. People did not co-operate her. It was a trafficking issue. Though people did not accept as trafficking, she mentioned it as child marriage during the time of disposes of that girl to a pimp.
According to Ms. Supriya Mallick of Kharinasi, the family members are the main culprit behind the atrocities against women and adolescent girls. Due to the typical neglect towards girl child as shown by the family members, the women become the victims of trafficking. She suggested that change in the mentality of their parents or family members are required first of all.
Mrs. P. Srimati Rao of VARRAT also expressed her grave concern regarding the increasing spread of different sorts of violence against women and gave some instances of such occurrence that took place in her area of work.
The habit of alcoholism and drug addiction was viewed as an important factor of growing violence towards women. Mr. Aman Dhal of UNS Club discussed about this problem and suggested anti-drug awareness programme for the local people so as to help them get rid of the habit of addiction.
Mrs. Sujata Mandal of Radharani Sanchay Samiti felt quite enthusiastic while describing the story of 25 SHGs of their village, who have been given responsibility to tackle all the day-to-day problems in relation to domestic violence, in their village and whom the local villagers obey in respect of the rules and regulations framed by the groups.
Mr. Kalyan Ku. Manna, a very experienced person and Secretary of SEEDS, narrated the difficulties of the women in their village. He gave instances of the women who were battered in various ways. Even the women of rich families or the wife of the Sarapanch were not exceptions. He put "early marriage" as the main factor responsible for such a negative status of women in rural areas. He also discussed a lot about the trafficking. He requested the women to be fearless and should come forward to express their problems even before the public and press.
Mrs. Santilata Haldar described why the women are unwilling to attend such meetings, even though these are meant for their welfare. She put illiteracy, poor economic condition of the family, dowry, early marriage, and population growth as the main reasons for violence against women and suggested that the women activists of the area should motivate the common women to come out openly and raise their voice against the violence against them. They should be motivated at least to attend such meetings, and participate in whatever discussions are going on .
The representatives of the Village Poor Development Organization mentioned about the violence against women as well as the child trafficking and strongly recommended that action should be taken against the pimps involved in the nefarious deals. Before conducting the awareness programme, acceptance of the people should be elicited to make the programme successful. At least the mothers should be mobilized for programmes against girl trafficking, which is a main problem in the Bengali refugee settlement areas. Apart from the poor economic condition being a great factor on the part of parents for disposing of their girl children in an undue manner, the need for imparting education to the children is also very much crucial to change the existing scenario of neglect towards girl children. He suggested to conduct small, small awareness programmes taking only a small group of women in every village and then expand the process to G.P. level.
Mrs. Pratima of Batighar G.P., while telling about trafficking problems described how the destitutes are the main vulnerable group, and they are very hesitant to come to this type of meetings due to strong social stigma.
Representatives of JKSS, a leading organization of the area told that the integrated women development programmes won't be successful until and unless the women don't share and discuss with their spouses. Sometimes it is seen that some women unknowingly encourage their daughters to make relationship with the pimps. The mothers of the family become responsible for early marriage of their daughters. After marriage a young girl cannot manage at her in-laws house properly, which is a reason for domestic conflicts. As a result, the girl becomes compelled to leave the in-laws house. Thus the divorce rates grow high in this area. So mothers need be conscious enough to deal with such difficult situations. Economic independence should be given to mothers. Citing a few examples, he said, the SHG groups are meant for women empowerment through economic independence.
Awareness does not solve the problem alone. This was the opinion of Mr. Animesh of UNS. He opined that, even if the women become aware of everything, still they cannot help themselves, unless and until they be mentally strong, and economically independent.
According the Mrs. Puspalata Mandal, males should be made aware of the problems about the women. Every woman has the knowledge of everything but they can't help the situation in this male dominated society.
Mrs. Parbati Das of Jamboo told her life story, how she was tortured at her in-law's house. Then she described in detail about her 3 daughters, who were trafficked away. After the lapse of a long time, one among them returned but had to join an Opera Party for her survival. Media persons such as UNI, AJTAK, Times of India had come and interviewed her to get the information. This news too came out to the public. Still she does not know where her two daughters are living at present.
Mrs. Sabitri Sahoo of Deulapada village mentioned the tragic life of her daughter as to how she had an affair with a boy at the age of 13, which was unknown to her and family. At the age of 20 when her daughter proposed to marry that boy, he ditched her and married another woman. Then a case was lodged in the Police Station against that boy, but the Police instead of taking action against the boy, sided unjustly with him.
Mr.Chandan Manna of 'Pallavi' narrated many cases regarding trafficking in Batighar area. Whenever he collected information on such issues, he used to simultaneously communicate the same to the media. He gave assurance to assist anybody who shall work on these issues in their area.
Mrs. Sujata Mohapatra of Inner Wheel Club emphasized the male involvement in the issues of trafficking. She said that when more and more male members come forward to fight for women's rights, it is a healthy sign.
Mr. Goutam Kole of Utkal Naba Surya Club requested all organisations to arrange Awareness Camps for the local people on women's issues. He also wanted the Govt. should play a major role in providing income generation and skill development related training support to the adolescent girls of this area through NGOs.
At the end of the session, the solution of the problems was dealt with by Mrs. Anupama Rout of Narishakti, who opined that the women should recognize their hidden talents. So they should organize themselves and fight for their rights. She emphasized that economic independence alone cannot solve the real problems. Will power and Unity are the main elements, which are very much required on the part of the women to be empowered and at least to be considered as individuals in the society.
Mr. Ashis Senapati, Project Director of Project Swarajya, who is also an Advocate assured that, if any such type of cases is noticed any where, and brought to his knowledge, he can inform the media men to expose the culprits and also provide legal support to the poor, vulnerable persons in need of help.
Ms Linda Peer of USA who incidentally attended the occasion and observed the deliberations through out, remarked that the entire problem cannot be solved overnight, but step by step. The problems should be however prioritized, Ms. Peer said.
Ms. Abanti Behera, a social activist of Kendrapada district and Member Marshaghai Panchayat Samiti, who presided over the Workshop concluded by saying that follow-up programmes for people's awareness need be undertaken by the organizers of the Workshop and as well by the local women activists.
The meeting ended at 5 PM by a vote of thanks given by Mrs. Dolli Dash of Project Swarajya.
Project Swarajya
Ganesh Ghat, Bakharabad,
Cuttack, Orissa
Ph. No.- 0671- 621097 & 623518
Email-dollidash@rediffmail.com