Chetna - The Joy of Freedom !!
I sit, slightly awkwardly, on a plastic chair faced with a group of smiling women of all ages, clad in beautiful saris. As they tell their stories of overcoming violence, stigma and control, I am moved by their courage. Their warm smiles do not hint at the pain they have experienced.
I am meeting a self-help group in Pune, Maharashtra, founded by Mahila Vikas Kendra (commonly referred to as Chetna) an Oxfam supported organization that has been working in Pune and in the Sindhudurg District since 1995. Assunta Pardhe, their Director, is a vibrant and dynamic woman whose complete commitment and passion for her work is immediately evident. A respected advocate, she originally set up Chetna to offer free legal advice and aid to marginalised women suffering domestic abuse. To date, the organisation has resolved over 1900 domestic violence cases either through counseling, arbitration or the court. The passing of the Domestic Violence Act in 2006 was an important landmark for them for them and they actually filed the very first case in Maharashtra.
The United Nations Population Fund Report (2005) estimates that 70% of married women in India between the ages of 15 and 49 are victims of beating, rape and coerced sex. In 2006, in Maharashtra alone, one case of physical abuse by a husband or relatives occurred every 2 hours. There were two crimes against women every hour and one dowry-related murder or suicide case a day. Probably the most shocking statistic is that 54% of women experiencing violence thought their beating was justified (2007 survey by the International Institute of Population Studies).
Changing deeply engrained cultural beliefs and practices is a long and onerous task. Chetna believes that they can only make progress by establishing firm roots in the community. They have developed a network of 350 self-help groups with over 5250 members. These groups generate awareness of women’s rights and strengthen women’s confidence to stand up together against domestic and social atrocities.
Chetna promotes a culture of “communal harmony” and acceptance where all castes and religions are respected. When a domestic dispute arises, they always try to firstly resolve it within the home and the family. However some cases are too serious to be resolved. In these instances, the self-help group members will intervene, providing temporary shelter and helping the abused woman to find a longer term place to stay. Group leaders keep their mobile numbers on the door of their meeting place so that they can be contacted at any point day or night. They also help women file initial reports with the local police protection officer.
The groups provide a forum for Chetna staff to train women on a wide variety of themes from equality to legal literacy, to health care and HIV and AIDS awareness. They have developed a wide range of easily accessible pictorial booklets, posters and a film to enable semi-literate women to understand their rights. This training helps instill strength and confidence, empowering the women to protest against injustices that affect their daily lives. For example, recently 40 women held a peaceful rally at local government offices and succeeded in getting a regular supply of clean water for their community.
The camaraderie and friendship between the women I meet is evident. I ask them what being a member of the group has meant to them. The response is unanimous- “the joy of freedom!” The practical support and training they receive are only part of the reason why they are committed. The true benefit is the sense of individual empowerment they have achieved. I am sure that they will pass this strength on to their daughters and sons, helping ensure that future generations have a chance to break the cycle of mute acquiescence that has allowed violence to continue for too long.
(Shared by Stephanie Casey,volunteer with Oxfam India, after her recent visit to an Oxfam India partner in Pune.)