Posted November 7, 2013 by Julie Thekkudan
India is a land of many contrasts where goddesses are revered for their strength and invincibility yet violence against women in all forms is a common phenomenon. In the year 2012, there was a devastating spike in incidences of violence against women across the country - some of which have made global headlines. At Oxfam, we believe that violence against women is an expression of unequal power relationships between women and men.
Oxfam India has been working with partners to open up a space for dialogue on these contradictions through a campaign called CLOSETHEGAP, which is an innovative new campaign for equality. It challenges manifestations of inequality in all areas, such as property rights, health, education, the right to food and nutrition, and budgetary allocations for marginalised groups.
The campaign began by focusing on gender inequality, asking the general public the ways in which they would CLOSETHEGAP between men and women. Oxfam India adapted a multi-platform campaign, using phone lines, radio, and signs to direct people to the CLOSETHEGAP website.
The campaign included creative installations and conversations in public spaces such as malls and market places and face-to-face engagements with young people in colleges. The campaign also had many conversations through online portals and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Through its partners, including Youth Ki Awaz, GotStaredAt, the YP Foundation, Gram Vaani and Purple Mangoes, Oxfam India reached more than half a million people. Halabol, CNN-IBN, Langoor and What’s up Bharat were among the other outreach partners for this campaign, and as a result, the campaign was able to reach a diverse audience.
To date, over 50,000 Indians across 12 states have responded to the question: “How would you Close the Gap between men and women in India?” Here’s what they had to say:
These ideas for change may not be new, but it does highlight the need for innovative approaches in the way we address violence against women and gender inequality. The need for conversations within various spaces- like homes, schools and communities- is critical. As one young caller said, “every culture begins at home.”
Despite progressive laws that have been put in place to stop violence against women, those laws haven’t been implemented in part due to the lack of an adequate budget. There are also no mechanisms to monitor the implementation of these laws.
But changing attitudes and beliefs by working in the public domain must also be part of the strategy. We need new role models, who don’t shift responsibility away from the perpetrators when acts of violence occur; role models state loudly that behaviours and attitudes can make a positive difference for gender equality– in our homes, on the roads, on the public transport systems, in our law enforcement agencies and everywhere.
The survey results also highlighted the importance of ensuring that women’s presence is ensured in public institutions. As one respondent said, “women need equal say in governance and politics.” Currently, women hold 11% of seats in Parliament, a small number, especially given that India has had a woman Prime Minister and President. This year is a general election year, which could impact both the number of women in Parliament as well as the priority for implementation of laws to protect women from violence.
Oxfam India has published a report with recommendations and commitments of Oxfam India to close the existing gap. The recommendations also pointed out the changes which public is demanding from policy makers:
At Oxfam, we believe we must push simultaneously on all of these fronts – laws, formal institutions and government, and attitudes and beliefs – in order to whittle away at the deep rooted gender inequality to that of an empowered nation where women share equal rights with men.
CLOSETHEGAP has created a powerful new conversation. Ordinary citizens on the margins of the political debate have been asked to raise their voice, and they have responded - in great numbers.
Those in power must listen.
We campaign to change patriarchal mindsets that influence violence against women
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