Secunderabad: 16-day drive to prevent gender-based violence

Secunderabad: To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Divya Disha, which has been working for the rights of children, young people and women for the past 32 years, launched its 16 days of activism against gender-based violence at its head office here on Monday.

The programme was designed especially for men, because Divya Disha believes that violence against women would end only when men in the society realise that violence has a devastating physical, psychological, and emotional impact on women. This not only impacts the current generation but also the future generation as well. Hence, the NGO decided to reach out to men in the society.

The session which started in the afternoon saw more than 25 men participating from the communities and colleges. P Venkataramana, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gopalpuram, was the chief guest for the event. He addressed the gathering saying that violence against women would be stopped only when the society treated them equally.

He administered an oath to stop violence against women. He also wore a purple pink ribbon calling for ending violence against women. Lastly, he gave his hand print on the signature panel which indicated "Say no to violence." The men among the audience also gave their hand impressions on the signature panel – Men unite to say no to violence.

The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women."

This year the theme for same is 'Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape.' To mark the day, UN Women conducts a 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. It is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day. Divya Disha will carry out various events and activism against gender-based violence during this period.