Speak The Unspeakable and Do The Unthinkable

The age old issue dealing with the problems of people with alternate sexuality was discussed threadbare, on the occasion of International Day against Homophobia, on 17th May, in the precincts of the almost hundred years old University of Hong Kong. This High Level Dialogue was organized jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Asia Pacific Coalition on Male sexual health (APCOM), and the Centre for Comparative and Public Law (CCPL) at the Law Faculty, University of Hong Kong. The event marked the release of the key findings and recommendations of the UNDP-APCOM study titled "Punitive Laws, Human Rights and HIV Prevention among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender People In Asia and the Pacific Region: An Agenda For Action." Read more



This high level discussion could not have come at a better time, keeping in mind the alarmingly high level of prevalence of HIV in MSMs and transgender people (TG). It explored ways and means to effectively prevent HIV by creating a conducive legal environment that not only allows an honest dissemination of evidence based HIV prevention messages, but also creates confidence amongst this most marginalized and vulnerable section of society to seek information and access health related services.

It was indeed an august gathering of judges (Justices Ajit Prakash Shah and Michael Kirby), parliamentarians (Dame Carol Kidu), UN officials (Mandeep Dhaliwal), educationists (Thomas Abraham), human rights activists (Shivananda Khan OBE and John Godwin) and, above all, the people themselves who underwent violence and punitive action owing to their sexuality, who voiced their concerns in a candid and uninhibited manner, paving the way for actions to be taken on this very pertinent yet neglected issue.

Professor Johannes Chan, Dean, Faculty of Law, at the University of Hong Kong, set the ball rolling by questioning the very basis of the discrimination prevalent in society, against LBGTs (lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transgenders). He, as well as other panelists, wondered why ones conduct was determined by ones sexual preferences. There are documented evidences from various regions (like Hong Kong, India, Indonesia etc.) of upright police officers, dedicated teachers and even heads of state facing societal wrath to the extent of committing suicide.

Homosexuality in Chinese society is 2000 years old. Indian scriptures also refer to it. In fact, one chapter of Kama Sutra, the world famous treatise on sex, written by an Indian, is devoted to homosexuality. It was common for ancient royal courts in India to employ transgender people (called hijras). Yet it has become fashionable to label this so called ‘sexual digression’ as an ill of the modern society.

The key findings of the aforesaid ongoing study were presented by John Godwin, an HIV and Development Consultant based in Sydney, Australia. The data revealed a very high prevalence of HIV in MSM and transgender people as compared to the general public. It was as high as 42% and 34% in Transgenders in Mumbai and Jakarta respectively, and 30% in MSMs of Bangkok and Rangoon. Hence there is an urgent need for a review of existing practices and consultations. Although governments are slowly responding to their needs in their National AIDS policies, yet there are hardly any examples of legislative action for their rights. In 19 out of 48 countries of Asia Pacific region, homosexual behavior is deemed unlawful. Many countries have punitive police practices, resulting in extortion, assault and harassment at the hands of the police.

Nepal seems to be a lone voice in the wilderness which has given legal rights to its sexual minorities.

The lack of political will, coupled with age old mindsets, results in discrimination and stigma at all levels. The schools fail to address the social orientation and gender identity crisis; the police harass and hound them instead of protecting them from physical and mental abuse; the health services fail to include them as part of general patients seeking medical treatment. Punitive laws lend legitimacy to unethical practices by health services and prevent legal protection from discrimination in education and employment.

So it becomes imperative to build the capacity of judges, administrators, police officers and others at the helm of dispensing justice, to address these issues in a just manner. Only then can there be proper implementation of laws where they exist and enactment of desirable laws where they do not. The judicial system will have to work in close contact with the health sector, regarding policies towards HIV prevention. Cambodia and Thailand have started doing this while framing their National AIDS Policies.

Along with the judiciary and governing bodies, human rights commissions, progressive religious leaders, advocacy groups, media and the victims themselves need to cooperate and work together as a team to make this world value based and not gender based, where honesty and uprightness is sacrificed at the altar of sexual leanings.

Shobha Shukla
(The author is the Editor of Citizen News Service(CNS), Director of CNS Diabetes Media Initiative, and CNS Gender Initiative, has worked earlier with State Planning Institute, UP, and teaches Physics at India's prestigious Loreto Convent. She is an invited journalist supported by the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and CNS, reporting on the International Day Against Homophobia from the above-mentioned High Level Dialogue in Hong Kong. Email: shobha@citizen-news.org, website: www.citizen-news.org)

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International Day Against Homophobia: Protect the right to life with dignity of LGBT community

17th of May is International Day Against Homophobia
Well, why do we need to celebrate such a day? "Homophobia is expressed in ways which does not treat MSMs, lesbians and transgenders with respect, and prevents their access to basic human rights, particularly the right to live with dignity. So, it is imperative to draw the attention of various countries, particularly of the South Asian region, to this fact. The main challenge before all of us is to create a conducive atmosphere for making appropriate health and other services accessible to persons with different /alternate sexuality" said Shivananda Khan, who has been honored with Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British Queen, for his services to HIV/AIDS prevention and among marginalized communities in South Asia. Shivananda Khan is one of the keynote speakers at the High Level Dialogue to discuss punitive laws, human rights and HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Asia Pacific, in Hong Kong on 17th May to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. Read more



The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (ACPOM) and the Center for Comparative and Public Law (CCPL) at the Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong will also release the key findings and recommendations of the UNDP-APCOM study entitled: "Laws affecting HIV responses among men who have sex with men and transgender people in Asia and the Pacific: an agenda for action" during a High Level Dialogue to honour the International Day against Homophobia on Monday, 17th May 2010.

Shivananda Khan rightly feels that this issue has two components –the legal component, by way of primitive and punitive laws, restriction on movements of such people, the insensitive and biased attitude of the administrations, and the second component, which involves behavioural attitude of fellow citizens, which treats MSMs and transgenders like social outcasts and is perpetrates a whole range of inhuman and violent actions against them.

The latest Delhi High Court ruling on Section 377 in 2009, legalising same sex behaviour in adults is indeed a welcome move. But, then according to Shivananda Khan, this will have to percolate to the grassroots. Amending laws will have to be complemented with a change in attitude of society in general. In some countries like Phillipines, there is some level of social tolerance for transgenders. But there is a general denial of basic rights to gay men and lesbians. On the whole, there is a lot of social discrimination against this community. The situation is worse for lesbians in a country like India, where traditionally a woman is not supposed to have any sexuality or sexual preferences. Her role in society is pre defined to get married and produce babies. In such a scenario, if a woman dares to openly admit her sexual preference for another woman, all hell is let loose.

Arif Jafar, Executive Director of Maan Foundation in India ('Maan' means pride) rues the fact that due to the existing social taboos, on one hand there is a high level of violence (in the form of rape, physical abuse, assaults, etc) against people with different sexuality. It is believed that 40% of them have tried to commit suicide, and 70% have faced assaults from friends and family members. On the other hand, most of these cases go unreported, due to the heavily biased attitude of the police against them.

As human beings, we must respect our fellow beings, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, cultural and sexual preferences. Why should anyone of us be denied basic human rights, just because we do not conform to the social norms of others? This may be tall order for India, where even heterosexual relationships invite the wrath of the so called moral leaders; where fathers/brothers are killing their own kith and kin in the name of family honour.

We indeed have a long way to go, as Arif Jafar rightly thinks. But the process has been set into motion, and would, hopefully, be propelled forward by this forthcoming meet.

Let us work together to maintain unity in diversity, without affecting the sensibilities of each other.

Shobha Shukla
(The author is the Editor of Citizen News Service(CNS), Director of CNS Diabetes Media Initiative, and CNS Gender Initiative, has worked earlier with State Planning Institute, UP, and teaches Physics at India's prestigious Loreto Convent. She is an invited journalist supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CNS, reporting on the International Day Against Homophobia from the High Level Dialogue in Hong Kong. Email: shobha@citizen-news.org, website: www.citizen-news.org)

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Gandhians appeal to respect people's inalienable rights

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution of India. We are proud to live in a nation that believes in the ideal of universal human rights. However, sometimes the state expediently forgets its professed ideals and tries to ride roughshod over the rights of citizens. These transgressions have become more frequent as commercial, industrial and mining interests from all over the world have become more interested in the resources of this country" said veteran Gandhians Narayan Desai and Surendra Gadekar in a statement issued on DailySouthAsian. Read more

Narayan Desai is the son of Mahadev Desai who was Mahatma Gandhi’s secretary.

"Unfortunately, there has never been a dearth of local collaborators within this country who for the sake of a few personal crumbs are willing to sacrifice the future of a vast majority of our population to these foreign interests" say Desai and Gadekar.

"The adivasis of Chhatisgarh along with the poor in many parts of the country have been suffering exploitation and repression for a long time. Shri Himanshu Kumar, a long time Gandhian activist has gone on an indefinite fast in solidarity with his adivasi bretheren. The government, whether belonging to BJP in the state or the Congress in the centre has irrespective of political affiliation, chosen a path of brutal suppression of people's aspirations. The lure of wealth underground has proved stronger than the well-being of people living overground. It does not behove us as a people of a democratic nation to allow this brutality. I appeal to the government of both the state and the centre to respect the inalienable rights of the people and to rethink and realign their policies in line with people's wishes" further adds Narayan Desai and Surendra Gadekar.

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Gandhians appeal to respect people's inalienable rights

Gandhians appeal to respect people's inalienable rights
"Freedom of expression is a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution of India. We are proud to live in a nation that believes in the ideal of universal human rights. However, sometimes the state expediently forgets its professed ideals and tries to ride roughshod over the rights of citizens. These transgressions have become more frequent as commercial, industrial and mining interests from all over the world have become more interested in the resources of this country" said veteran Gandhians Narayan Desai and Surendra Gadekar in a statement issued on DailySouthAsian. Read more

Narayan Desai is the son of Mahadev Desai who was Mahatma Gandhi’s secretary.

"Unfortunately, there has never been a dearth of local collaborators within this country who for the sake of a few personal crumbs are willing to sacrifice the future of a vast majority of our population to these foreign interests" say Desai and Gadekar.

"The adivasis of Chhatisgarh along with the poor in many parts of the country have been suffering exploitation and repression for a long time. Shri Himanshu Kumar, a long time Gandhian activist has gone on an indefinite fast in solidarity with his adivasi bretheren. The government, whether belonging to BJP in the state or the Congress in the centre has irrespective of political affiliation, chosen a path of brutal suppression of people's aspirations. The lure of wealth underground has proved stronger than the well-being of people living overground. It does not behove us as a people of a democratic nation to allow this brutality. I appeal to the government of both the state and the centre to respect the inalienable rights of the people and to rethink and realign their policies in line with people's wishes" further adds Narayan Desai and Surendra Gadekar.

Activists condemn victimization of Muslim youth in Nasik

Activists condemn victimization of Muslim youth in Nasik

Authorities are once again unashamedly attempting to victimize a Muslim youth with the allegation that he is "Pakistani." Rahman Nawaz Khan, brother of noted social activist Faisal Khan, underwent humiliating and agonizing experience in Nasik at about 5:30pm on 9th of October 2009, when crime branch officials slapped him with the allegation that he is a "Pakistani" and tried their best to wrongly implicate him. It was only after the intervention of local residents and police that Rahman took a sigh of relief and crime branch people retracted.

Rahman is an aspiring actor, holding an Indian passport (passport no. F6745744) and other valid Indian identities (driving license, college certificates, and others) who was living in Nasik with his aunt. There is no police complaint against him of any nature. His brother, Faisal Khan, is a noted peace activist of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) and has been contributing to strengthening of people's struggles across the country. When authorities can attempt to fabricate false charges against a citizen of India who thankfully has documents to prove his identity, it is left to one's imagination how serious the situation can get with millions of those residents of India who don't have any identity card to prove their nationality in their own country!

On the evening of 9th October 2009, Rahman was sitting in the lawns of the bungalow of his aunt in Nasik, when approximately 15 people came and called him at the gate of the Bungalow in very rude and inappropriate manner. "He immediately responded to their call, but was shocked to hear from them that he is Pakistani and in being watched for the last one year. Those people asked him to sit in the jeep and come along with them. My brother asked them in humble manner what exactly is the matter, and who has actually given this information. Those people become more rude and said "chal tu jeep mein baith." He was extremely tense and called his aunty, she came with the local police who did talk to my brother in a very polite manner and asked him to cooperate. He showed him all the relevant documents (his identity proof, college certificates, his driving license), and informed them that right now he did not have his passport. So the person from crime branch Kiran Kabadia started using foul language. Immediately my brother called our father and those people were convinced after talking to him. His aunty who is a Maharashtrian, tried to convince them but they said "nahi nahi yeh sab nahi chalega, every Pakistani says the same thing, tum muslim ne to badi gandh phaila rakhi hai, tum saloon ko train mein bhar ke Pakistan bhagana chahiye". After so much of threatening they asked him to come to the office on 10/10/2009 with his passport" narrated Faisal Khan, Rahman's brother.

"I would like to make it a point that the mental torture my brother has undergone is very humiliating and is shame on the democratic fabric in the society which we live. These incidents are on rise against muslims in India. These incidents should not be repeated and no Indian should undergo this mental humiliation which my brother has undergone" said Faisal Khan, NAPM activist.

It is yet another blot on Indian social fabric and democracy. By upping the victimization of Muslim youth on baseless charges, the state is jeopardizing the communal harmony and causing irreparable damage to the secularism India boasts of.

Activists from Asha Parivar have strongly condemned this nefarious act of victimizing the Muslim youth. "It is reprehensible on behalf of authorities in India to falsely accuse Indian Muslim youth as nationals of other nations, in particular, Pakistan - because it attempts to nullify the peace process between two nations and wrongly reinforces the misconception that all nationals of Pakistan are anti-social" said the statement from Asha Parivar.

The question is what constitutes to be anti-national - being an Indian Muslim youth is that anti-national in India or the act of authorities labeling Indian Muslim youth as nationals of other countries is anti-national? Is this act of authorities not against the secular and democratic values we Indians recognize ourselves with?

Asha Parivar activists believe that the act of authorities is anti-national because it marginalizes Indian Muslims, it increases the feeling of alienation in communities that are lawful residents of this nation, it is against our own Indian constitution that upholds secularism as one of the key virtues, and it propels misconceptions against another nation that all residents of that nation are anti-social.

The Asha Parivar activists have demanded an enquiry against the authorities who are perpetrating such acerbic activities in the name of law!

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Activists condemn victimization of Muslim youth in Nasik

Activists condemn victimization of Muslim youth in Nasik

Authorities are once again unashamedly attempting to victimize a Muslim youth with the allegation that he is "Pakistani." Rahman Nawaz Khan, brother of noted social activist Faisal Khan, underwent humiliating and agonizing experience in Nasik at about 5:30pm on 9th of October 2009, when crime branch officials slapped him with the allegation that he is a "Pakistani" and tried their best to wrongly implicate him. It was only after the intervention of local residents and police that Rahman took a sigh of relief and crime branch people retracted.

Rahman is an aspiring actor, holding an Indian passport (passport no. F6745744) and other valid Indian identities (driving license, college certificates, and others) who was living in Nasik with his aunt. There is no police complaint against him of any nature. His brother, Faisal Khan, is a noted peace activist of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) and has been contributing to strengthening of people's struggles across the country. When authorities can attempt to fabricate false charges against a citizen of India who thankfully has documents to prove his identity, it is left to one's imagination how serious the situation can get with millions of those residents of India who don't have any identity card to prove their nationality in their own country!

On the evening of 9th October 2009, Rahman was sitting in the lawns of the bungalow of his aunt in Nasik, when approximately 15 people came and called him at the gate of the Bungalow in very rude and inappropriate manner. "He immediately responded to their call, but was shocked to hear from them that he is Pakistani and in being watched for the last one year. Those people asked him to sit in the jeep and come along with them. My brother asked them in humble manner what exactly is the matter, and who has actually given this information. Those people become more rude and said "chal tu jeep mein baith." He was extremely tense and called his aunty, she came with the local police who did talk to my brother in a very polite manner and asked him to cooperate. He showed him all the relevant documents (his identity proof, college certificates, his driving license), and informed them that right now he did not have his passport. So the person from crime branch Kiran Kabadia started using foul language. Immediately my brother called our father and those people were convinced after talking to him. His aunty who is a Maharashtrian, tried to convince them but they said "nahi nahi yeh sab nahi chalega, every Pakistani says the same thing, tum muslim ne to badi gandh phaila rakhi hai, tum saloon ko train mein bhar ke Pakistan bhagana chahiye". After so much of threatening they asked him to come to the office on 10/10/2009 with his passport" narrated Faisal Khan, Rahman's brother.

"I would like to make it a point that the mental torture my brother has undergone is very humiliating and is shame on the democratic fabric in the society which we live. These incidents are on rise against muslims in India. These incidents should not be repeated and no Indian should undergo this mental humiliation which my brother has undergone" said Faisal Khan, NAPM activist.

It is yet another blot on Indian social fabric and democracy. By upping the victimization of Muslim youth on baseless charges, the state is jeopardizing the communal harmony and causing irreparable damage to the secularism India boasts of.

Activists from Asha Parivar have strongly condemned this nefarious act of victimizing the Muslim youth. "It is reprehensible on behalf of authorities in India to falsely accuse Indian Muslim youth as nationals of other nations, in particular, Pakistan - because it attempts to nullify the peace process between two nations and wrongly reinforces the misconception that all nationals of Pakistan are anti-social" said the statement from Asha Parivar.

The question is what constitutes to be anti-national - being an Indian Muslim youth is that anti-national in India or the act of authorities labeling Indian Muslim youth as nationals of other countries is anti-national? Is this act of authorities not against the secular and democratic values we Indians recognize ourselves with?

Asha Parivar activists believe that the act of authorities is anti-national because it marginalizes Indian Muslims, it increases the feeling of alienation in communities that are lawful residents of this nation, it is against our own Indian constitution that upholds secularism as one of the key virtues, and it propels misconceptions against another nation that all residents of that nation are anti-social.

The Asha Parivar activists have demanded an enquiry against the authorities who are perpetrating such acerbic activities in the name of law!

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Stop using different yardsticks for measuring up boys and girls

Stop using different yardsticks for measuring up boys and girls
Kulsum Mustafa

For teenager Nazia, domestic violence does not just amount to physical torture, but also means the continuous denial of the basic right to be oneself. Treasurer of the children’s wing of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), Nazia is totally against early marriage of girls. She demands equal treatment and opportunity for both the sons and daughters.

Nazia was part of the panel that addressed media persons on the rights due to children and how they have been trampled upon. She was speaking at the bi-monthly Media for Children event, jointly organized by Media Nest and UNICEF on second and fourth Friday afternoon. at Uttar Pradesh Press Club.

She stressed in her presentation that girls should be given all those Rights which are enjoyed by their brothers. This should include the Right to education and the right to chose when to marry.
“A highly prejudiced society has made some rules for girls which it wants to force down the throat of the girl child- this must be stopped at all cost. Different yard sticks should not be used for sons and daughters,” Nazia said.

BMMA is holding its third National Convention in Lucknow on October 11, and through its children committee it will raise the vital issue‘ HAQ MILEGA KAB ?” ANYAY KE KHILAF BAAL COMMITTEE (When will we get our rights? Children committee raises voice against injustice).
Speaking on the occasion, one of the founder members of BMMA, Ms Zakiya Soman said that BMMA is not a registered body but an upsurge of people working towards empowerment of community through women and girls. She said while the membership of the BMMA is 70 per cent Muslim women, the rest 30 per cent comprise all those who are sensitive to the issue and wish to empower Muslim women. She urged Muslim women to fight fear and inequality in their own life before taking up cudgels for others.

Another senior Panellist Ms Khatoon Sheikh, convenor Maharashtara wing of BMMA who has worked very closely with Muslim women and children for the past several years said that unless women are made aware of their rights and learn to fight their battles no lasting change can be brought in. She recalled as how at one of the training and sensitization session in Maharashtra one girl picked up a photo book page which was totally dark. When asked why she did so the girl said with tears in her eyes. “Because that is what my life appears.”

“If this is the mindset of a teenager how it will become when she grows older and has to share the burden of household responsibilities, “ asked Ms Sheikh. Naish Hasan, founder member said “BMMA demands social, economic, political, civil, legal and religious rights for all Muslims.”

Kulsum Mustafa
(The author is a senior journalist and Secretary-General of Media Nest)

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Stop using different yardsticks for measuring up boys and girls

Stop using different yardsticks for measuring up boys and girls
Kulsum Mustafa

For teenager Nazia, domestic violence does not just amount to physical torture, but also means the continuous denial of the basic right to be oneself. Treasurer of the children’s wing of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), Nazia is totally against early marriage of girls. She demands equal treatment and opportunity for both the sons and daughters.

Nazia was part of the panel that addressed media persons on the rights due to children and how they have been trampled upon. She was speaking at the bi-monthly Media for Children event, jointly organized by Media Nest and UNICEF on second and fourth Friday afternoon. at Uttar Pradesh Press Club.

She stressed in her presentation that girls should be given all those Rights which are enjoyed by their brothers. This should include the Right to education and the right to chose when to marry.
“A highly prejudiced society has made some rules for girls which it wants to force down the throat of the girl child- this must be stopped at all cost. Different yard sticks should not be used for sons and daughters,” Nazia said.

BMMA is holding its third National Convention in Lucknow on October 11, and through its children committee it will raise the vital issue‘ HAQ MILEGA KAB ?” ANYAY KE KHILAF BAAL COMMITTEE (When will we get our rights? Children committee raises voice against injustice).
Speaking on the occasion, one of the founder members of BMMA, Ms Zakiya Soman said that BMMA is not a registered body but an upsurge of people working towards empowerment of community through women and girls. She said while the membership of the BMMA is 70 per cent Muslim women, the rest 30 per cent comprise all those who are sensitive to the issue and wish to empower Muslim women. She urged Muslim women to fight fear and inequality in their own life before taking up cudgels for others.

Another senior Panellist Ms Khatoon Sheikh, convenor Maharashtara wing of BMMA who has worked very closely with Muslim women and children for the past several years said that unless women are made aware of their rights and learn to fight their battles no lasting change can be brought in. She recalled as how at one of the training and sensitization session in Maharashtra one girl picked up a photo book page which was totally dark. When asked why she did so the girl said with tears in her eyes. “Because that is what my life appears.”

“If this is the mindset of a teenager how it will become when she grows older and has to share the burden of household responsibilities, “ asked Ms Sheikh. Naish Hasan, founder member said “BMMA demands social, economic, political, civil, legal and religious rights for all Muslims.”

Kulsum Mustafa
(The author is a senior journalist and Secretary-General of Media Nest)

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Mental Health camp opens in Srinagar

Mental Health camp opens in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: Mental health is crucial to one’s general wellbeing. Mr Javaid Ahmad Dar, Minister of State for Health and Medical Education, J&K Government opened the mental health camp today at the Municipal Park, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar. This mental health camp has been organized by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders) in collaboration with the Directorate of Health, J&K government as part of the week long celebrations of the World Mental Health Day (5-10 October 2009) in Kupwara and Srinagar. Dr Mohammad Amin Wani, Director of Health Services, J&K Government, and Dr. GA Wani, Nodal Officer, National Mental Health Programme, were also present at the camp.

From the 8th – 10th October, Municipal Park, Jawahar Nagar is the setting of a mental health camp, an art and poetry exhibition, live theatre based on MSF’s successful radio programme ‘Alaw Baya Alaw’ and screening of MSF videos in Kashmiri and English.

Pupils from schools in Kupwara and Srinagar as well as students from the University of Kashmir entered an art and poetry contest on the theme of ‘dealing with challenges on one’s life’. Their work is being showcased throughout Mental Health Week, with an award ceremony taking place in Srinagar on 10th of October.

Mental health is an integral component of basic healthcare services MSF has been providing to people in Kashmir since 2002. There is a growing body of evidence showing the benefits of an integrated healthcare approach combining both mental and physical care. Integrating mental health services into basic healthcare is also one of the most pragmatic ways to make mental health services accessible to those who need it most. The multi-faceted mental health-related stigma and discrimination impedes access to existing mental health services for people in need.

“What we have been witnessing with our presence in Kashmir for the past seven years is that mental health needs to be an integral component of the overall health system and therefore access should be guaranteed to such a service. That is why we offer such integrated health-related services in Kupwara, northern Kashmir, where mental healthcare is part of the basic healthcare programmes” says MSF’s project coordinator Sasha Matthews.

“More and more people are realizing the need of mental health in order to go through a difficult and stressful period of their lives. We often suggest coping mechanisms to our clients in our counseling sessions such as spending time with their family and friends in order to overcome such situations. The stigma that is attached to the word “mental health” - where someone is considered crazy - is still present but slowly reducing. We welcomed the introduction of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) last year in Kashmir, where we saw it as a first step towards the breaking of such stigma. Unfortunately, the NMHP does not include a counseling component like ours, but we hope that in the near future counseling will be introduced so that this stigma will be completely eroded and the people will benefit of a total mental well being. This is why there is no health without mental health” added Matthews.

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Mental Health camp opens in Srinagar

Mental Health camp opens in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: Mental health is crucial to one’s general wellbeing. Mr Javaid Ahmad Dar, Minister of State for Health and Medical Education, J&K Government opened the mental health camp today at the Municipal Park, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar. This mental health camp has been organized by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders) in collaboration with the Directorate of Health, J&K government as part of the week long celebrations of the World Mental Health Day (5-10 October 2009) in Kupwara and Srinagar. Dr Mohammad Amin Wani, Director of Health Services, J&K Government, and Dr. GA Wani, Nodal Officer, National Mental Health Programme, were also present at the camp.

From the 8th – 10th October, Municipal Park, Jawahar Nagar is the setting of a mental health camp, an art and poetry exhibition, live theatre based on MSF’s successful radio programme ‘Alaw Baya Alaw’ and screening of MSF videos in Kashmiri and English.

Pupils from schools in Kupwara and Srinagar as well as students from the University of Kashmir entered an art and poetry contest on the theme of ‘dealing with challenges on one’s life’. Their work is being showcased throughout Mental Health Week, with an award ceremony taking place in Srinagar on 10th of October.

Mental health is an integral component of basic healthcare services MSF has been providing to people in Kashmir since 2002. There is a growing body of evidence showing the benefits of an integrated healthcare approach combining both mental and physical care. Integrating mental health services into basic healthcare is also one of the most pragmatic ways to make mental health services accessible to those who need it most. The multi-faceted mental health-related stigma and discrimination impedes access to existing mental health services for people in need.

“What we have been witnessing with our presence in Kashmir for the past seven years is that mental health needs to be an integral component of the overall health system and therefore access should be guaranteed to such a service. That is why we offer such integrated health-related services in Kupwara, northern Kashmir, where mental healthcare is part of the basic healthcare programmes” says MSF’s project coordinator Sasha Matthews.

“More and more people are realizing the need of mental health in order to go through a difficult and stressful period of their lives. We often suggest coping mechanisms to our clients in our counseling sessions such as spending time with their family and friends in order to overcome such situations. The stigma that is attached to the word “mental health” - where someone is considered crazy - is still present but slowly reducing. We welcomed the introduction of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) last year in Kashmir, where we saw it as a first step towards the breaking of such stigma. Unfortunately, the NMHP does not include a counseling component like ours, but we hope that in the near future counseling will be introduced so that this stigma will be completely eroded and the people will benefit of a total mental well being. This is why there is no health without mental health” added Matthews.

Published in:
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24dunia.com

Indian Prevention Advocates Publish India Microbicide Monitor

Indian Prevention Advocates Publish India Microbicide Monitor

Microbicides advocacy in India has come a long way over the past decade and a new publication, the MSI Microbicide Monitor, is the latest fruit of this progress. Providing a weekly snapshot of major microbicides-related news from around the world, the Monitor includes news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, links to major microbicides-related events and advocacy opportunities and documents India-specific developments on microbicides research and advocacy. Produced and distributed by the Microbicides Society of India (MSI), the publication goes out to about 1,000 Indian microbicides advocates using a listserv (http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/microbicide/) created in 2005 at a South Indian advocacy workshop convened by the Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM) and Indian Network of NGOs on HIV/AIDS (INN).

Collaborations initiated years ago and well nurtured by determined advocates, and have grown into what is now the Microbicides Society of India. "GCM's history of working with advocates, policy-makers and researchers in India makes the formation of the Microbicides Society of India and publication of its Monitor especially momentous to us," said GCM Director Yasmin Halima. "We began working in India in 2000 and co-hosted the 2003 National Policy Meeting on Microbicides and HIV Prevention Options for Women in New Delhi. That led to the formation of a multi-sectoral Microbicides [National] Working Group, coordinated for several years by GCM and PATH India. The Campaign has worked closely over the years with MSI President Dr [Badri N] Saxena and several MSI officers and Executive Committee members including Drs Sanjay Mehendale, Suniti Solomon, Nomita Chandhiok, SK Gupta [among others]," she continued, "and we congratulate them on their decision to establish this initiative," she concluded.

She added that GCM looks forward to ongoing synergies, including information sharing between the Monitor and F-SPOT (Female STI/HIV Prevention Options Today), an e-forum moderated by GCM. Created in 2007, F-SPOT provides a forum for Indian advocates and researchers to exchange information, ideas, strategies, and lessons learned on female initiated prevention. GCM looks forward to promoting the MSI Microbicides Monitor to its participants and is confident that this new resource will further inform and stimulate discussion across advocacy, research and policy sectors.

The MSI Microbicides Monitor is available at http://microbicide.blogspot.com

To join F-SPOT, email the moderator, Bindiya Patel at bpatel@path.org
(Source: GCM News)

Published in:
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
The Colombo Times, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Modern Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Elites News, USA
Citizen News Service, India/Thailand
Bihar And Jharkhand News, Bihar And Jharkhand, India
Tweetmeme.com
Mexico Woman, Mexico
Delhi Innovation News, India
Celebrifi.com
Pharmaceutical Industry Today

Indian Prevention Advocates Publish India Microbicide Monitor

Indian Prevention Advocates Publish India Microbicide Monitor

Microbicides advocacy in India has come a long way over the past decade and a new publication, the MSI Microbicide Monitor, is the latest fruit of this progress. Providing a weekly snapshot of major microbicides-related news from around the world, the Monitor includes news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, links to major microbicides-related events and advocacy opportunities and documents India-specific developments on microbicides research and advocacy. Produced and distributed by the Microbicides Society of India (MSI), the publication goes out to about 1,000 Indian microbicides advocates using a listserv (http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/microbicide/) created in 2005 at a South Indian advocacy workshop convened by the Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM) and Indian Network of NGOs on HIV/AIDS (INN).

Collaborations initiated years ago and well nurtured by determined advocates, and have grown into what is now the Microbicides Society of India. "GCM's history of working with advocates, policy-makers and researchers in India makes the formation of the Microbicides Society of India and publication of its Monitor especially momentous to us," said GCM Director Yasmin Halima. "We began working in India in 2000 and co-hosted the 2003 National Policy Meeting on Microbicides and HIV Prevention Options for Women in New Delhi. That led to the formation of a multi-sectoral Microbicides [National] Working Group, coordinated for several years by GCM and PATH India. The Campaign has worked closely over the years with MSI President Dr [Badri N] Saxena and several MSI officers and Executive Committee members including Drs Sanjay Mehendale, Suniti Solomon, Nomita Chandhiok, SK Gupta [among others]," she continued, "and we congratulate them on their decision to establish this initiative," she concluded.

She added that GCM looks forward to ongoing synergies, including information sharing between the Monitor and F-SPOT (Female STI/HIV Prevention Options Today), an e-forum moderated by GCM. Created in 2007, F-SPOT provides a forum for Indian advocates and researchers to exchange information, ideas, strategies, and lessons learned on female initiated prevention. GCM looks forward to promoting the MSI Microbicides Monitor to its participants and is confident that this new resource will further inform and stimulate discussion across advocacy, research and policy sectors.

The MSI Microbicides Monitor is available at http://microbicide.blogspot.com

To join F-SPOT, email the moderator, Bindiya Patel at bpatel@path.org
(Source: GCM News)

Published in:
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
The Colombo Times, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Modern Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Elites News, USA
Citizen News Service, India/Thailand
Bihar And Jharkhand News, Bihar And Jharkhand, India
Tweetmeme.com
Mexico Woman, Mexico
Delhi Innovation News, India
Celebrifi.com
Pharmaceutical Industry Today

India Court of Women on dowry and violence

India Court of Women on dowry and violence

Women. Dowry. Violence and abuse – associated by default. Almost always. Irrespective of socio-economic 'status'. Urban or rural, north, south, east or west. Heart-rending stories evidence it. And horrific statistics confirm it.

"We hope you will support our fight for justice," said some of the victims. And the mothers, fathers and sisters left behind to suffer the loss of some others. Tears flowed as they spoke. Sometimes mine too. Sighs and shock all around. And applause and appreciation also. At their courage and commitment. To stand up and speak for themselves and others.

All this and much more happened at the India Court of Women on Dowry and Related Forms of Violence against Women at the Christ University and Dharmaram Vidyashram from Jul-27 to Jul-29 organized by Bangalore based Vimochana, the Asian Women and Human Rights Council (AWHRC) and El Taller International in collaboration with over 40 other Indian and international community based organizations and women’s rights groups. This Court was part of the larger global movement of the Courts of Women which were initiated by the AWHRC in 1991 in the Asia Pacific region and have hence moved through El Taller into Africa, West Asia, the Mediterranean, Central and South America. Since then, some of the participating organizations had been with Vimochana and El Taller International in creating and holding over 35 Courts of Women worldwide and particularly in the global south. Focusing on violence against women due to diverse issues like poverty, culture, racism, war, etc., the courts are public hearings of individual testimonies of survival and resistance that invite us to revisit the existing problems and collectively seek new paradigms of justice.

The India court began through a preparatory workshop organized by Vimochana and AWHRC India in Bangalore from January 9-11, 2008 where participants debated and framed key issues and formed the core group whose members took forward the processes of the Court in their locations. This unfolded over a period of 18 months through activities organized by primary partners (including news media) of the Court in their towns/states/regions, along with women’s and human rights organizations, students, trade unions and other civil society organizations thus retaining the perspective and methodology of the Courts of Women of making the Court a process and not an independent event.

This Court centred on bringing the seemingly normal and routine phenomena of dowry and associated violence within the institution of marriage back to the centre of public consciousness and conscience. However, it also delved deeper into some related issues in the overall context of development, consumerism, commoditization and globalization including:

- Sex-selection, declining sex ratios and new reproductive technologies.
- Trafficking and forced prostitution
- Rapes and sexual violence caused by declining sex ratios
- Issues of property rights
- Child marriages and denial of education
- Desertion and bigamy
- Depression and other forms of mental harassment apart from physical violence causing death
- Increasing vulnerability of women in the context of emerging issues as that of farmer’s suicides
- Legal responses

The first day of the finale saw over 200 participants engaging in 6 coordinated and well researched round table discussions on various topics like the impact of growing economic and cultural fundamentalism and globalization on dowry, marriage and abuse of women; media reconstruction of violence and autonomy; government policies, legislation and alternative forms of justice responding to dowry related violence against women; and the role of science and medical technology in femicide (female foeticide, infanticide, etc.). There was also an interesting exchange titled "Resistance: The Conference of the Birds with stories, poetry and sharing of experiences of resistance" aptly held at the Birds Park.

Calling of the Court through the Song of the Cike by Chitra Iyer and team started the second day. A welcome address by representatives of the organizing groups and a performance titled Sva Kranti, Women Seekers of Truth by the renowned performer and activist Mallika Sarabhai from the Darpana Academy followed. The special guests were acknowledged, lamps of memory were lit, the jury was introduced and the legendary Justice (retd.) V.R. Krishna Iyer, a former judge of the Supreme Court opened and blessed the Women’s court. Expert witnesses like social workers/activists, academicians, medical and legal practitioners introduced sessions meaningfully titled Daughters of Fire, Daughters of Despair, Daughters: Displaced and Dispossessed, Daughters of Lost Wisdoms on themes ranging from the changing forms of dowry violence and murders and dowry in the context of globalization and emerging traditions. The concluding ones were Daughters of Hope and Daughters of Dreamtime highlighting instances of resistance and hope. Each topic had 5-7 poignant testimonies heard by the jury and audience – some stories I heard and insights I gained follow.

"I am a woman, I once was a mother" began Poonam Kathuria of SWATI, Gujarat as she talked about how the original practice of girls from wealthy families receiving money and expensive articles as wedding gifts ‘evolved’ into dowry. She described the Satta Patta tradition prevalent in Gujarat and Rajasthan where a girl forms a part of her brother’s wedding gifts given to his bride’s family. Regardless of her age she is forced to marry a brother or male relative of her sister-in-law. If one marriage breaks down, the other is annulled irrespective of either couple’s wishes. According to her, the naari adalat/panchayat functioning in some Indian states question only excess dowry and the women’s problems emerging from it rather than the practice of dowry giving itself. Dowry prevention officers rarely register cases of violation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA, 2005) or those pertinent to violence or death due to dowry as they are often occupied with training and other official tasks. Further, abuse victims and their families rarely report fearing taboos and repercussion.

She also talked about how dowry and other patriarchal and regressive mindsets and traditions continue to objectify and devalue girls and women resulting in trafficking and child marriage. Advancement in science, particularly medicine has aided in increasing sex selective abortions (estimated at 2 million foetuses annually) and skewed gender ratios especially in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi (with a national average of only 933 girls for 1000 boys in 2001 as per the official Census of India website) despite the and Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Regulation and Prevention of Misuse (PC & PNDT) Act, 1994. Even if allowed to be born, girls are those who often suffer/die from malnutrition and gastrointestinal and other diseases as boys’ health and well being is prioritized over theirs’.

“Love was wonderful but marriage was hell”, said a bleary eyed Nina, a student of social work with a flair for poetry, from Madhya Pradesh currently working with an NGO and living with her parents and son as she awaits legal separation. She painfully narrated how she faced physical and emotional harassment for dowry in her marital home in spite of all the pre-nuptial assurances and agreements with my husband and his family.

Lakshmi who was sold as a girl for dowry was barely able to relate her traumatic experiences while Kamala revealed how she was forced to be a child bride to minimize wedding expenses. The former is now supported by the Gramya Resource Centre for Women, Hyderabad which runs a home for abandoned girls and the latter is studying in a school. Zeenat Jahan from Kerala sighed in anguish as she was physically and mentally tortured without food by her husband and his family for insufficient dowry and bearing girls. Parvati Bai who was trafficked into prostitution in Mumbai from Andhra Pradesh when she was unconscious after her food was drugged by her husband repeatedly thanked her rescuers.

Through a video clip, Dr. Jaya, from the National Capital Region (NCR) shared the horrifying details of how she was forced to undergo foetal sex determination and the violence she and her baby were subjected to after she dared to have a daughter. Encouragingly, she sought legal assistance and agreed to speak out although she fears for her safety.

Nalini Nayak from the Self Employed Women’s Association Union, Kerala started the hearing on the influence of globalization and rapid economic liberalization on the Indian ‘marriage market’ with the words “I am a woman whose wisdom was once priceless”. News and popular media’s repeated coverage/portrayal of ostentatious wedding ceremonies all over India add to the economic burden of low and ‘educated’ middle income families of daughters. She has observed that the parents are often pressurized to organize lavish rituals and celebrations apart from dowry and gifts to the grooms’ family and guests. Women from the increasingly impoverished fishing and farming communities are forced to migrate to earn for their families and more importantly to accumulate savings for their own dowry or their daughters’. They are exploited by the unregulated garment, electronics and other industries particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the name of progressive development of women.

The Sumangali Thittam in Tamil Nadu binds young unmarried women to employers who promise financial assistance for wedding expenses at the end of their 2-3 year contract. Malar, Ramya and their families have been following up for many months but have barely received a part of the promised sum though they toiled in inhuman conditions.

Jameela, a single mother and migrant worker from Kerala recounted her struggle to support her family and give dowry for the marriage of her three daughters. Meenu and Asha Rani from New Delhi told their tales of the loss of livelihood and shelter arising from displacement and the subsequent indebtedness due to the burden of dowry and increased wedding expenditure.

Vimochana’s study and campaign initiated in Bangalore in 1997 found that of the 1133 cases of unnatural deaths of women here, only 157 were treated as murder while 546 were classified as suicides and 430 as accidents. Further, among the 550 cases reported between January and September 1997, 71% were routinely closed as kitchen/cooking accidents and stove-bursts. Currently, at least 3 women are killed or driven to suicide daily - clinically terming them as “unnatural deaths of women in marriage”.

After the hearings ended, the jury aired its responses and views. On the final day, those present reflected on the entire process of the court, sharing their opinions, learning and a broad action plan. Among the anticipated outcomes of the court, I believe that the following are critical:

- A catalytic and creative process spreading awareness that dowry related violence against women is a crime against humanity and that dowry is the most extreme form of commoditizing women
- A growing community of strong empowered women who would refuse to barter their dignity for an ephemeral security through dowry; women and men who would reject dowry related demands and raise their voices against all forms of violence and discrimination
- Policy changes that enhance opportunities and ensure sustainable security for women affirming and acknowledging their inherent strengths and wisdom.

Some names, locations and occupations were changed to protect identity

References: Vimochana

Pushpa Achanta
(The author is a freelance writer, a Fellow of Citizen News Service (CNS) Writers' Bureau, and a community volunteer based in Bangalore, India)

Published in:
Modern Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
World News Network, USA
Citizen News Service, (CNS)
Tweetmeme News
Human Right Today, Pakistan
Truth Feeds.com
Twitter.com
Bihar and Jharkhand News, Bihar And Jharkhand, India

India Court of Women on dowry and violence

India Court of Women on dowry and violence

Women. Dowry. Violence and abuse – associated by default. Almost always. Irrespective of socio-economic 'status'. Urban or rural, north, south, east or west. Heart-rending stories evidence it. And horrific statistics confirm it.

"We hope you will support our fight for justice," said some of the victims. And the mothers, fathers and sisters left behind to suffer the loss of some others. Tears flowed as they spoke. Sometimes mine too. Sighs and shock all around. And applause and appreciation also. At their courage and commitment. To stand up and speak for themselves and others.

All this and much more happened at the India Court of Women on Dowry and Related Forms of Violence against Women at the Christ University and Dharmaram Vidyashram from Jul-27 to Jul-29 organized by Bangalore based Vimochana, the Asian Women and Human Rights Council (AWHRC) and El Taller International in collaboration with over 40 other Indian and international community based organizations and women’s rights groups. This Court was part of the larger global movement of the Courts of Women which were initiated by the AWHRC in 1991 in the Asia Pacific region and have hence moved through El Taller into Africa, West Asia, the Mediterranean, Central and South America. Since then, some of the participating organizations had been with Vimochana and El Taller International in creating and holding over 35 Courts of Women worldwide and particularly in the global south. Focusing on violence against women due to diverse issues like poverty, culture, racism, war, etc., the courts are public hearings of individual testimonies of survival and resistance that invite us to revisit the existing problems and collectively seek new paradigms of justice.

The India court began through a preparatory workshop organized by Vimochana and AWHRC India in Bangalore from January 9-11, 2008 where participants debated and framed key issues and formed the core group whose members took forward the processes of the Court in their locations. This unfolded over a period of 18 months through activities organized by primary partners (including news media) of the Court in their towns/states/regions, along with women’s and human rights organizations, students, trade unions and other civil society organizations thus retaining the perspective and methodology of the Courts of Women of making the Court a process and not an independent event.

This Court centred on bringing the seemingly normal and routine phenomena of dowry and associated violence within the institution of marriage back to the centre of public consciousness and conscience. However, it also delved deeper into some related issues in the overall context of development, consumerism, commoditization and globalization including:

- Sex-selection, declining sex ratios and new reproductive technologies.
- Trafficking and forced prostitution
- Rapes and sexual violence caused by declining sex ratios
- Issues of property rights
- Child marriages and denial of education
- Desertion and bigamy
- Depression and other forms of mental harassment apart from physical violence causing death
- Increasing vulnerability of women in the context of emerging issues as that of farmer’s suicides
- Legal responses

The first day of the finale saw over 200 participants engaging in 6 coordinated and well researched round table discussions on various topics like the impact of growing economic and cultural fundamentalism and globalization on dowry, marriage and abuse of women; media reconstruction of violence and autonomy; government policies, legislation and alternative forms of justice responding to dowry related violence against women; and the role of science and medical technology in femicide (female foeticide, infanticide, etc.). There was also an interesting exchange titled "Resistance: The Conference of the Birds with stories, poetry and sharing of experiences of resistance" aptly held at the Birds Park.

Calling of the Court through the Song of the Cike by Chitra Iyer and team started the second day. A welcome address by representatives of the organizing groups and a performance titled Sva Kranti, Women Seekers of Truth by the renowned performer and activist Mallika Sarabhai from the Darpana Academy followed. The special guests were acknowledged, lamps of memory were lit, the jury was introduced and the legendary Justice (retd.) V.R. Krishna Iyer, a former judge of the Supreme Court opened and blessed the Women’s court. Expert witnesses like social workers/activists, academicians, medical and legal practitioners introduced sessions meaningfully titled Daughters of Fire, Daughters of Despair, Daughters: Displaced and Dispossessed, Daughters of Lost Wisdoms on themes ranging from the changing forms of dowry violence and murders and dowry in the context of globalization and emerging traditions. The concluding ones were Daughters of Hope and Daughters of Dreamtime highlighting instances of resistance and hope. Each topic had 5-7 poignant testimonies heard by the jury and audience – some stories I heard and insights I gained follow.

"I am a woman, I once was a mother" began Poonam Kathuria of SWATI, Gujarat as she talked about how the original practice of girls from wealthy families receiving money and expensive articles as wedding gifts ‘evolved’ into dowry. She described the Satta Patta tradition prevalent in Gujarat and Rajasthan where a girl forms a part of her brother’s wedding gifts given to his bride’s family. Regardless of her age she is forced to marry a brother or male relative of her sister-in-law. If one marriage breaks down, the other is annulled irrespective of either couple’s wishes. According to her, the naari adalat/panchayat functioning in some Indian states question only excess dowry and the women’s problems emerging from it rather than the practice of dowry giving itself. Dowry prevention officers rarely register cases of violation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA, 2005) or those pertinent to violence or death due to dowry as they are often occupied with training and other official tasks. Further, abuse victims and their families rarely report fearing taboos and repercussion.

She also talked about how dowry and other patriarchal and regressive mindsets and traditions continue to objectify and devalue girls and women resulting in trafficking and child marriage. Advancement in science, particularly medicine has aided in increasing sex selective abortions (estimated at 2 million foetuses annually) and skewed gender ratios especially in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi (with a national average of only 933 girls for 1000 boys in 2001 as per the official Census of India website) despite the and Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Regulation and Prevention of Misuse (PC & PNDT) Act, 1994. Even if allowed to be born, girls are those who often suffer/die from malnutrition and gastrointestinal and other diseases as boys’ health and well being is prioritized over theirs’.

“Love was wonderful but marriage was hell”, said a bleary eyed Nina, a student of social work with a flair for poetry, from Madhya Pradesh currently working with an NGO and living with her parents and son as she awaits legal separation. She painfully narrated how she faced physical and emotional harassment for dowry in her marital home in spite of all the pre-nuptial assurances and agreements with my husband and his family.

Lakshmi who was sold as a girl for dowry was barely able to relate her traumatic experiences while Kamala revealed how she was forced to be a child bride to minimize wedding expenses. The former is now supported by the Gramya Resource Centre for Women, Hyderabad which runs a home for abandoned girls and the latter is studying in a school. Zeenat Jahan from Kerala sighed in anguish as she was physically and mentally tortured without food by her husband and his family for insufficient dowry and bearing girls. Parvati Bai who was trafficked into prostitution in Mumbai from Andhra Pradesh when she was unconscious after her food was drugged by her husband repeatedly thanked her rescuers.

Through a video clip, Dr. Jaya, from the National Capital Region (NCR) shared the horrifying details of how she was forced to undergo foetal sex determination and the violence she and her baby were subjected to after she dared to have a daughter. Encouragingly, she sought legal assistance and agreed to speak out although she fears for her safety.

Nalini Nayak from the Self Employed Women’s Association Union, Kerala started the hearing on the influence of globalization and rapid economic liberalization on the Indian ‘marriage market’ with the words “I am a woman whose wisdom was once priceless”. News and popular media’s repeated coverage/portrayal of ostentatious wedding ceremonies all over India add to the economic burden of low and ‘educated’ middle income families of daughters. She has observed that the parents are often pressurized to organize lavish rituals and celebrations apart from dowry and gifts to the grooms’ family and guests. Women from the increasingly impoverished fishing and farming communities are forced to migrate to earn for their families and more importantly to accumulate savings for their own dowry or their daughters’. They are exploited by the unregulated garment, electronics and other industries particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the name of progressive development of women.

The Sumangali Thittam in Tamil Nadu binds young unmarried women to employers who promise financial assistance for wedding expenses at the end of their 2-3 year contract. Malar, Ramya and their families have been following up for many months but have barely received a part of the promised sum though they toiled in inhuman conditions.

Jameela, a single mother and migrant worker from Kerala recounted her struggle to support her family and give dowry for the marriage of her three daughters. Meenu and Asha Rani from New Delhi told their tales of the loss of livelihood and shelter arising from displacement and the subsequent indebtedness due to the burden of dowry and increased wedding expenditure.

Vimochana’s study and campaign initiated in Bangalore in 1997 found that of the 1133 cases of unnatural deaths of women here, only 157 were treated as murder while 546 were classified as suicides and 430 as accidents. Further, among the 550 cases reported between January and September 1997, 71% were routinely closed as kitchen/cooking accidents and stove-bursts. Currently, at least 3 women are killed or driven to suicide daily - clinically terming them as “unnatural deaths of women in marriage”.

After the hearings ended, the jury aired its responses and views. On the final day, those present reflected on the entire process of the court, sharing their opinions, learning and a broad action plan. Among the anticipated outcomes of the court, I believe that the following are critical:

- A catalytic and creative process spreading awareness that dowry related violence against women is a crime against humanity and that dowry is the most extreme form of commoditizing women
- A growing community of strong empowered women who would refuse to barter their dignity for an ephemeral security through dowry; women and men who would reject dowry related demands and raise their voices against all forms of violence and discrimination
- Policy changes that enhance opportunities and ensure sustainable security for women affirming and acknowledging their inherent strengths and wisdom.

Some names, locations and occupations were changed to protect identity

References: Vimochana

Pushpa Achanta
(The author is a freelance writer, a Fellow of Citizen News Service (CNS) Writers' Bureau, and a community volunteer based in Bangalore, India)

Published in:
Modern Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
World News Network, USA
Citizen News Service, (CNS)
Tweetmeme News
Human Right Today, Pakistan
Truth Feeds.com
Twitter.com
Bihar and Jharkhand News, Bihar And Jharkhand, India