The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Youth forums show the way to fight sexism

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Sunday, Nov 16, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Youth forums show the way to fight sexism

M. Raghuram

Youths in the 14-24 age group are roped in for the project in rural areas
‘These young men are transformed into powerful partners in the fight against discrimination’

BANGALORE: At a time when violence against women is on the rise in the country, the Independent Commission for People’s Rights and Development has launched a strong movement to fight the menace.

The commission engages young men and makes them partners and allies in combating violence against women.

The special project “Youth Forums Against Gender Based Violence”, launched in by the commission in four districts of Karnataka in 2006 and two districts of Rajasthan in 2007, has shown good results.

Operating in Chennapatna, Mysore and Bellary, the project has trained trainers to mobilise young men in the 14-24 age group to challenge dowry, harassment, discrimination against girls, rape and a host of other crimes against women.

“These young men from poor low-income communities are being transformed as powerful partners or allies to prevent violence against women and other obstacles that women face in society rather than be perpetrators of the crime.

Together with women who need to be vigilant of their rights and potential, this approach is more sustainable as it engages the community on the issue, rather than confining it to a women’s issue,” says commission’s member-secretary Nandini Azad.

This project in Karnataka offers hope that social norms and attitudes of young men can change. Boys and young men are developing respect for women’s rights and equality.

“They have taken oath not to demand dowry when they marry.

“They are ensuring that their sisters are not discriminated in accessing education (often against the family will).

“Over-dependence on the Government minimises the influence of citizens in governance.

“The youth forums and self-help groups taking up social rights issues such as violence within the household highlights the community’s initiative in ending the discrimination,” says Dr. Azad.

The commissioner resorts to street theatre, village corner plays, Yakshagana and folk and peasant songs to motivate people to combat discrimination.

“Youth forums mentored by women’s credit groups are instrumental in changing power equations in household and community, on behalf of women,” Dr. Azad says.

Dr. Azad presented this unique model at Bali, Indonesia in July during the Asia-Pacific Regional Micro-credit Summit 2008.

Convinced by its efficacy, corporate foundations from Malaysia, the Hong Leong Foundation in particular, sought her support to replicate the model in their country.

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