Bhumika to foray into urban communities

Hyderabad: Bhumika Women's Collective, which is working in close coordination with women police stations across the city and some districts in Telangana and AP, is planning to expand its functioning across different urban centres in both Telugu states.

Chief functionary of Bhumika K Satyavathi said that the organisation was planning to expand the work in urban communities to create awareness on women's issues and related acts to reduce violence against women and girls in the communities. It is also planning to start special cell on the premises of police stations. "In this regard, we have openings for the posts of counselors and a training coordinator in Hyderabad.

The counselors should have 3 to 5 years of experience in counselling, good understanding on women's issues, laws and acts. The required educational qualification should be MSW/MA Psychology or any PG with diploma in family dispute resolution. Candidates for training coordinator should have 5 years of experience in working with women and should be able to conduct training to build capacities of the community and different stakeholders. The required educational qualifications should be MSW/ MA Sociology/ PG with relevant experience," she said.

Satyavathi informed that Bhumika Women's Collective has been working in the area of violence against women and girls from the past 25 years from its main office at Hyderabad. Bhumika has been running a helpline for women in distress since 2006 with the toll free number 1800 425 2908.

The organisation also has 5 support centres for women in Women Protection Cell, CID Office, Hyderabad, Women Police Stations in Gachibowli, Cyberabad Police Commissionrate, Hyderabad; Saroornagar, Rachakonda Police Commission rate, Rangareddy and Karimnagar districts of Telangana and in the Special Cell for Women Prisoners in Chanchalguda, Hyderabad. They provide counselling and referral services to women survivors.

Thee organisation is also working with Cyberabad and Rachakonda Police Commissionerates in sensitising and providing counselling to the offenders caught by SHE teams for public violence or for sexual violence. Bhumika is also working in two mandals of Mahabubnagar District by engaging in the empowerment of adolescents and in strengthening systemic structures.

"We are also taking part in the implementation of Sakhi Centre (One-Stop Centre) in Karimnagar District in close collaboration with the Department of Women Development and Child Welfare and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad," she said. "In 2017, Bhumika has expanded its scope of work to the State of Andhra Pradesh and it has two special cells for women and children in Vijayawada and Rajamahendravaram towns. "We are also working with the community in urban communities and also in some educational institutions to make aware and sensitise the community and the students for a violence-free society," added the chief functionary.