Collective actions from communities on Violence against women and girls

Collective actions from communities on Violence against women and girls

Eight year old Neha who belongs to a Dalit community, lives in Ibadatnagar slum, located in the outskirts of Lucknow city in Uttar Pradesh. Neha’s mother works as a domestic worker in the nearby locality. Mukesh, an 18 year old youth from the same slum, tried to rape Neha when her mother was away one day. He somehow managed to take Neha to his house on the pretext of giving her toffees. He attempted to rape her while she was at his place.

Neha protested and screamed for help. She managed to run away from his home and reach her own. In the evening, when Neha’s mother came back home, she found Neha crying and shaking in fear. Neha narrated the incident to her and she decided to take action against Mukesh. Neha’s mother went to the police station to lodge a complaint but the officials there didn’t file her case. They advised her to settle for mediation.

When the members from the youth collective of Oxfam India partner Humsafar, came to know about this, they assisted her to the Police Station again. With their support, Neha’s mother could finally register the case. Currently Mukesh is in jail. The community mobilisers of Humsafar are doing regular counselling of Neha. The youth collective has started regular sessions with the community on molestation and sexual abuse of women and girls, so that such incidents are not repeated again.

Neha’s mother says, “I am very thankful to these young boys who helped me in the hour of need. My daughter is recovering from this incidence and with the counselling she will soon start living a normal life. Together we have decided to stop this kind of violence against our daughters”


Gender Justice

We campaign to change patriarchal mindsets that influence violence against women  

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