Reduce Gender Based Violence in Urban Communities

Dear Maitri Friend,

Maitri is committed to reducing Gender-based violence in communities we work with and we couldn't have done what we could achieve in the last quarter without your constant support.

Providing counselling and guidance to women facing Domestic Violence

In April, we had a unique partnership with a television show on Zindagi channel. The show’s central female character deals with the issue of domestic violence. As a NGO partner of the show, Maitri provided support with information and advice, including counsellingfor victims who contacted us.

There was anoverwhelming response. More than 100 women calledMaitri every day, seeking supportfrom across India within a span of a month. We received hundreds of sms’s, whatsapp messages, emails reaching out for comfort, support and advice on how to cope with the varying issueseach one was facing. Issues ranged from dowry, second/third marriage by the husbands, husbands involved in extra marital affairs, abuse by mother-in-law, accusations on woman’s character etc. We have tried to speak to each one of them and give them clarity on what constitutes domestic violence and what their rights are. We also made them understand their options within the legal framework that exists.

It was an interesting finding that women from all sections of society contacted us.  It is our endeavourto satisfy each woman with whatever doubts she has, and help her regain confidence. And we feel motivated to continue to help when some women get emotional and say “Thank you for listening to me. I feel so relieved talking to you. I will call back if I have a question”.

Two-day workshop to introduce functions and features of Mahila Panchayat (A community based women’s group)

In May 2016, Maitri collaborated with an organisation that works towards women’s empowerment and their rights, to organise a two-day training workshop. 35 women from two of our target communities attended the workshop.

Mahila Panchayat is a group of women from the community who are trained in legal issues, dispute redressal mechanism, laws relevant to crimes against women and are given exposure about the existing legal position regarding property, maintenance, marriage, custody, etc.  The Mahila Panchayat acts as a “Watch Dog” and its members, after orientation, and training, can handle delicate and family disputes. 

After two-day workshop and several exercises and discussions, the community women realised the potential of their collective strength. For us, the training is a step in right direction towards bringing these women together to form and strengthen the Mahila Panchayat in the community we work with.

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2016

Maitri celebrated International Women’s Day in a unique and creative way. Maitri partnered with an International Artist, OLEK, from New York to do a public art performance in the Central Park of Connaught Place, Delhi. The performance used crochet as medium to demonstrate the never-ending process within women to recreate themselves. Both OLEK and Maitri’s mission is to create awareness and bring about change, and educate the women on the rights of women in India. The event was appreciated and published by Times of India, the national newspaper. It was one of a kind experience for community women that made them feel confident and empowered.

The first batch of the Sewing Course graduate

We are very proud of 12 women who completed Sewing Course and were duly facilitated on 30^th March 2016. The course had commenced in June 2015 in partnership with Singer, a sewing machine brand. They have now acquired the basic skills and confidence they need to either venture into a home-based small business or find employment with boutiques and tailor shops.

All in all, the past couple of months have been full of excitement and satisfaction. You are a very important link to bringing change in the lives of vulnerable women and young girls we work with. We are very grateful for your support and are positive that with your continued support, we can reduce the incidents of gender-based violence and domestic violence in particular.

Thank you!