Warriors are a special class. They live to fight yet another day. The history of mankind is full of the stories of these warriors who laid down their lives defending their homelands and protecting the weak.
In the contemporary world, the warriors are no less in number. The combat is daily for bread, for identity, for family. The increasing menace of gender-based violence necessitates the emergence of ‘dignity warriors’ who are at the forefront against these demeaning acts.
India has witnessed a large number of cases of gender-based violence in recent times, accelerated by the pandemic-induced disruptions to daily lives. The civil society should make up a collective voice against these violences. Let us go through the stories of some individuals who have led these voices in recent times.
Majlis Manch
It was founded by revered advocate Flavia Agnes based out of Maharashtra. The organization is an all-women team of lawyers and social activists that provides legal assistance and social support to victims (women and children) of domestic and sexual violence from the lower strata of society cutting across all the intervening identities of caste, class, and religion. Further, they also ensure the protection and promotion of their rights through advocacy, stakeholder accountability, public interest litigations, policy interventions, research, training, awareness, and capacity building.
They can be reached at:
Bldg 4 Flat A/2 Golden Valley, Kalina Kurla Road, Santacruz (E) Mumbai 98
Email – majlislaw@gmail.com | Tel – 2666 1252 / 2666 2394
Lawyer’s Collective
Founded by noted Supreme Court advocate Indira Jaising., who was the key figure behind framing the Domestic Violence Act 2005. The Lawyers Collective uses the law as a tool to address critical issues such as domestic violence, sexual harassment at the workplace, matrimonial and family-related matters, crimes against women particularly sexual assault, and reproductive rights, etc. They believe that law is an instrument of social change and can be used in different ways to further the constitutional and human rights of women.
They can be reached at:
4th floor, Jalaram Jyot, 63 Janmabhoomi Marg, Fort, Mumbai- 400001
Tel: +91-022-22852543
Email: aidslaw@lawyerscollective.org
Prerana
It was founded by social activist Priti Patkar and her husband Pravin Patkar. Since 1986, Prerana has been working in the red-light areas of Mumbai to protect women and children from commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. It takes an all-round approach to its efforts by playing roles in protection, prevention, vigilance, rescue, post-rescue operations, victim care services, prosecution, empowerment of victim women, advocacy, legal support, policy level and administrative reforms, rehabilitation, and social reintegration, generating social awareness, research and documentation, sensitization and training of special functionaries (like police, judiciary, etc) and networking and capacity building of fellow organizations. As a recognition of its work, Prerana was awarded the ‘Mother Teresa Memorial Award’ in 2019.
They can be reached at:
Prerana, Plot 20, Sector 5, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai-M.S. India – 410210
Email: contactprerana@gmail.com
Email: preranakp2010@gmail.com
The Prajnya Trust
The organization was founded in 2008 by a group of eminent women in Chennai. Dr. Swarna Rajagopalan is the managing trustee and of the co-founders. It champions peace, justice, and security through a feminist, human rights-based approach. It runs a program on Gender Violence Research and Information Taskforce (GRIT) exclusively aimed at research, public education, and network building with like-minded organizations to combat the menace of gender-based violence.
They can be reached at:
P.O. Box number- 8826, T Nagar, Chennai-17
Office telephone:+91 44 2481125
Email: prajnyatrust@gmail.com
Sayodhya Home for Women in Need
Started by a group of women activists in 2010 who felt it necessary to start this home after witnessing increased incidences of violence against women and their children, leading to destitution, desertion, and homelessness. Its mission is to help women in distress, especially those escaping domestic and sexual violence, through its shelter homes. These homes provide accommodation, counseling, legal advice, and support for reintegration with family and community networks.
They can be reached at:
95, Prakash Nagar, Upparpalli, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad -500048, India
Mob:9490192119
Unity is always a strong option. These women-led organizations making up the collective voice against gender-based violence are the true ‘dignity warriors’ for the women in distress. Limitless Stree is also honored to be able to put forward its minuscule contribution in this movement against gender-based violence.
