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Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007
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Campaign against domestic violence reaches India

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The global campaign against domestic violence, “Stop Violence In The Home” (SVITH), entered India on Tuesday. Sponsored by The Body Shop, the campaign would mobilise opinion and funds to fight domestic violence in the country.

The company, which has the campaign running in 45 countries already, has tied up with a social sector NGO here, Muskaan.

National Commission for Women chairperson Girija Vyas, who launched the campaign at St. Anselm Pink City School here in the presence of school children and others, said: “A definite and strong law should be made and executed without fear of the oppressor. The civil society and the media should also take steps to spread the awareness on these issues.”

Body Shop India has offered funds to Muskaan for the campaign through the sale of the special edition “Hi Shine Lip Treatment”, a coloured lip gloss . The campaign would include creating awareness, supporting and protecting victims of domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is an area that needs urgent attention in this country. We are proud to be part of this global campaign. We are confident that our customers can help make this difference simply because they care,” said Sameer Prasad, COO of Planet Retail Holdings, the franchisee for The Body Shop in India.

Rajendra Shekhar, president of Muskaan and former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), described domestic violence as the root cause of many social problems. “Through The Body Shop SVITH campaign, we hope to create a greater awareness around this issue with the aim of building a better Indian society,” he said.

One of the key projects Muskaan will be undertaking is to educate and counsel women and children affected by domestic violence.

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