With the aim of preventing violence against women and increasing awareness, a one-day workshop on domestic violence was organized at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Sanganer on Saturday under the joint aegis of Bal va Mahila Chetna Samiti and Direct Action for Women Now.

Addressing the students present in the workshop, the organization president Tara Ahluwalia said that it is very important for women to be empowered and aware to prevent violence against women in the society, whether it is physical, mental or economic. Ahluwalia told the students in detail about services like Sakhi Center, Mahila Salah Suraksha Kendra, Child Line, Police Helpline, Ambulance Service, and Child Welfare Committee so that these services can be used properly in an emergency situation.

In the workshop, Udaipur’s social worker Shashiprabha gave detailed information on various laws related to women’s safety and their rights such as POCSO Act, Domestic Violence Act- 2005, and Child Marriage Prohibition Act, Child Marriage Annulment. She said that women should be aware of the laws for their safety and they should understand what means are available to them to ask for help.

It was especially emphasized in the workshop that to stop violence against women, first there is a need to change those circumstances and definitions that consider women weak. All types of violence like physical, mental, sexual violence, molestation, economic violence and intellectual harassment were discussed in it. Tara Ahluwalia also explained in detail the role of service providers and protection officers in cases of domestic violence and said that strict action should also be taken on the issues of child marriage and women harassment.

In this program, the girl students shared their views on domestic violence, child marriage, and women’s rights. The workshop concluded with a resolution to promote women’s safety and empowerment and the slogan of ‘Saho Nahi, Kaho’. Tara Ahluwalia expressed concern about the continuous violence against women and girls in the society. School Principal Sangeeta Laddha and organization workers Shyam Lal, Vishal Channal, Garima Pancholi, Bhavana Joshi and Parmesh Dev cooperated in the workshop.