Nai Chetana -Pahal Badlav Ki Campaign

The Ministry of Rural Development has initiated the campaign "Nai Chetana -Pahal Badlav Ki”- A Community-led National Campaign Against Gender-Based Discrimination to commemmorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women across all the states of the country during November 2022. The campaign is being organised as part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission.

The goal of this campaign is to increase awareness of obstacles and prejudice encountered by women at all levels among community institutions, rural communities, and government agencies throughout the course of the next five years. 

Gender based violence

The National Crime Records Bureau's (NCRB) 'Crime in India 2021' report indicates that India registered 31,677 cases of rape in 2021 - an average 86 daily - while nearly 49 cases of crime against women were lodged every single hour. The number of rape cases in 2020 was 28,046, while it was 32,033 in 2019.

Impacts of Violence Against Women

• It has a significant negative impact on women's physical, sexual, and reproductive health as well as their emotional and behavioural well-being, preventing them from reaching their full potential.
• Women's capacity to actively participate in all types of social and political interactions on an equal basis is impacted by violence and the threat of violence.
• The employment rates and economic empowerment of women are impacted by domestic abuse and workplace harassment. Girls' educational prospects and accomplishments are hampered by sexual harassment.

What can be done to Eliminate Gender Based Violence?

• Numerous studies have demonstrated that one of the most effective ways to eradicate GBV is to involve entire communities in its recognition, treatment, and prevention.
• Gender-based violence (GBV) can be eradicated with the help of society, the government, and people working together.
• One of the most crucial methods of locating and helping victims is to educate about gender-based violence.
• The media is an important vehicle for bringing GBV to light, publicising solutions, educating policymakers, and enlightening the general public on their legal rights and how to identify and solve GBV.
• The role of school systems in preventing GBV is crucial. All of the following can be used to spread the message that violence is wrong and can be avoided : regular curricula, sexuality education, school counselling programs, and school health services.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Women's rights activists have observed 25 November as a day against gender-based violence since 1981. This date was selected to honour the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).

On 20 December 1993, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, paving the path towards eradicating violence against women and girls worldwide.

Finally, on 7 February 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution, officially designating 25 November as the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and in doing so, inviting governments, international organizations as well as NGOs to join together and organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the issue every year on that date.

India's campaign for elimination of Violence Against Women 

A month-long campaign titled, “Nai Chetna-Pahal Badlav Ki” with the theme of ‘Elimination of Gender-Based Violence’ is being conducted as a 'Jan Andolan' (people's movement) in all the States/UTs of the country. In 2022, the campaign is being held from 25th November to 23rd of December, 2022.

This will be an annual campaign focussing on specific gender issues each year. The focus area of the campaign for 2022 is Gender Based Violence.

This campaign will be implemented by all states in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSO) partners, and actively executed by all levels including the State, District, Block engaging the Community Institutions along with the extended community.

The Campaign will also bring together all line departments and stakeholders to create a concerted effort in acknowledging, identifying and addressing issues of violence. Over the years this campaign will incorporate an intersectional approach deepening the understanding of gender and generating relevance and ownership in all departments and verticals with a multisectoral approach.

As part of the campaign, there will be knowledge workshops, leadership training, seminars on sexual violence and redressal mechanisms.

Source: Ministry of Rural Development