Listen to Her

Women's Helpline: 181

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Distress Number: 112

The numbers are displayed against the black screen towards the end of the short film by actor, activist Nandita Das 'Listen To Her'. The slick and effective promotional video asks each one of us to speak and listen. And it is only when there is a lending ear would the troubled, abused women be able to find strength and courage to speak out about domestic violence.

As the world grapples with Corona, there is an already existing malice that has flourished in homes. While we see the many pictures and videos of people coping with staying confined to homes and learning to bond with family over cooking, fun and games, there is this silent section of women who have been suffering in the hands of violent husbands and for whom the only respite was when husbands left for work. Since the past few months they are forced to live under constant threat of abuse and are silent. And for these women, home isn't so safe after all.

Nandita Das while sharing the video shares, "As we all grapple with our reality and those of others, I impulsively responded to what 'Stay Home, Stay Safe' means to many women. I wrote, acted, directed and produced the 7-minute film. It was an insane experience."

In the film you seeNanditaworking from home, and it is the story of a typical woman grappling with house work, trying to cope with the attention seeking kid and husband, even while attending a conference call, and amidst all this she receives a call, a wrong number but she hears the voice of a woman who whispers as she relates her story of abuse. 'Listen to Her' is a simple storyline that not just reminds us all to be that hearing ear, but also find our voice.