10 December - State Level Final Programme

Approximately 600 persons from 41 districts representing 300 organizations assembled in Lucknow on the occasion of Human Rights Day to reiterate that
Freedom from Domestic Violence is a basic Human Right

Hundreds of participants, representing NGOs, government, volunteers and the public from 41 districts of U.P., assembled at the Ambedkar Mahasabha to share their experiences organizing the 16 days of campaign events from 25 November to 10 December, 2007.

The salient point that was common in each campaign partner NGO’s presentation was the glaring lack of awareness about the DV Act, not only amongst the common people but even amongst responsible officers, teachers, police department officials, health department workers and surprisingly, even amongst some members of the judiciary.

As the final action of the campaign, a demand letter was unanimously adopted that underlined the need for adequate budget to support proper publicity and implementation of the Act. The resolution also emphasized the need for provision of proper training and facilities for the Protection Officers.

The 16 says of action employed various mediums-dialogues, meetings, films, plays, wall writing, marches and posters-to raise awareness about the DV Act, and so too did the concluding event. Two cultural troupes – IPTA, Lucknow, Shri Ramanand Saraswati Pustakalaya ‘s Azamgarh, – presented two thought- provoking street plays. An informative exhibition displaying images of the campaign through photographs, posters, slogans and wall writing was also set up at the venue.

The grand finale of the programme was an equally picturesque one. Hundreds of balloons were floated in the open air by the participant delegates symbolizing the spread of awareness, while the beats of the Nagara rent the air. AB TO JAAGO!!!

KEY PRESENTATIONS

“Very soon every district in Uttar Pradesh will have full time Protection Officers and adequate financial resources for the effective implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005,” assured the Director, of the Department of Women and Child Development, Mr. Yagyavir Singh Chauhan, at a grand function to mark International Human Rights Day.

Speaking at the concluding event of the 16 day long Ab to Jaago Campaign, which raised awareness about the D. V. Act, Mr. Chauhan also remarked that when speaking of this law it is important to to clarify that it’s purpose is not to punish men, but to free households from domestic violence.

Mr. Chauhan also assured the hundreds of participants that his department has already sent recommendations to appoint full time District Protection Officers (DPOs) and has allocated adequate budgets in each of the state’s 70 districts for the effective implementation of the Act.

Special invitee of the function, Commissioner, Department of Social Welfare, Mr. R. K. Mittal remarked that “Social change is a sensitive issue, bringing a law is not enough. Such social change requires education, social reawakening and also taking stock of existing cultural norms and values. There is a need for a holistic change.”

Mr. Mittal was encouraged by the participation of men and youth in the campaign and hoped that more NGOs would join this agenda of change, which is not possible by the efforts of the government alone. “As awareness increases the law will become more effective,” he observed.

Speaking on behalf of the Department of Information, Ms. Madhu Tambe, Information Officer, described her department’s efforts to raise awareness regarding the Act by releasing information thorough press notes in the news papers and brief advertisements on the radio.

According to Ms. Madhu, in various districts of Uttar Pradesh her department has put up hoardings to publice the D.V. Act. However, when participants pointed out that the names of concerned DPOs and Protection Officers should be publicized on such hoardings, she shrugged responsibility and claimed that this was not her department’s job.

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Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (DV Act) 2005

The Domestic Violence Act of 2005 is a historic step for India. The passage of the Act marks the first time that Parliament recognized violence against women and girls as a widespread problem that takes place not only in married couple's homes but also in women's childhood homes. For complete information about the background, clauses and social implications of the DV Act, click the "DV Act 2005" link on the bottom of the pink menu "District Programmes and Campaign Notes."

For more resources on domestic violence issues, also see the yellow side-bar menus with links to news articles and other websites.