Safecity Monthly Newsletter : July 2017
Safecity is growing exponentially and we’re constantly working hard to translate our vision to reality. Because we don’t want you to miss out on our work, we’ve decided to put together a monthly column to tell you about what we’ve been up to. You can sign up for our newsletter here.
Legal Roundtables
Safecity is organising Legal Roundtables under different themes of sexual violence across colleges in different cities, with SheThePeopleTV. Our aim is to equip young persons with knowledge of their rights and work with them towards identifying and resolving gaps in laws and policies.
We conducted our first Legal Roundtable at Lala Lajpat Rai college in Mumbai on 24th July with 90+ attendees and panelists from TrustLaw and I Will Go Out, Mumbai. You can read more about it here.
Social Cause Partner at CNNYP
Weekly Newswrap- Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic
In this series put together under our Policy and Legal Team under Vandita Morarka, Safecity examines sexual violence and related issues that have come up in the news, on a weekly basis, published every Saturday. This is an attempt to improve awareness regarding incidents of sexual violence and related matters, so that we, as a society can take steps towards collective action to reduce its incidence. You can read them here.
Global Compact on Migration
Red Dot Foundation has received special accreditation to the Global Compact preparatory process for Migration by the United Nations Member States.
July’s consultation deals with policies around the theme of, “Contributions of migrants and diasporas to all dimensions of sustainable development, including remittances and portability of earned benefits.” We would like you to send us feedback which we can incorporate into our response at these sessions. Kindly leave your contact details so we can provide due credit to your inputs.
You can check our page for more details on the Global Compact for Migration.
For any queries, kindly email info@reddotfoundation.org or vanditamorarka@gmail.com
Activity in Pune
On 14th July, Tania Fernandes, conducted a Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences(POCSO) workshop for children of Grade 5 & 6 of the renowned Emmanuel Public School Lohegaon – The Care Foundation – Pune. There were a total of 61 children and 4 teachers.
The children were eager to listen and extremely enthusiastic. Though a mixed group of boys and girls, they were open and comfortable while talking about safe and unsafe touch, private parts, trusted adults and what they had to do if they were ever to experience sexual abuse.
Malala Day
On 12th July, Malala Day, Safecity was asked to write about the prevalence of gender preference in the 21st century and how parents can bring about a change. Read our article about it on ParentCircle.com here.
Creating Awareness about Child Sexual Abuse in Patna
To expand the work of Safecity in Patna, Bihar, Naina Jha conducted a workshop creating awareness about Child Sexual Abuse for 40 students of Gyanshala : Free Education Center for Slum Children on 18th July, 2017.
These children, belonging to the the PMCH slum, were in the age group 7-14. Since they could only avail of government schools, some of the had only just begun their education. She spoke to them about the differences in touch, the No-Go-Tell rule and helped them list down trusted adults whilst making them aware of the child helpline number.
Updates from Mumbai
On 30th June, 2017, Ashwini Syed, our Head of HR and Operations, conducted a workshop at Sathaye College creating awareness about sexual harassment and gender sensitivity for 75 students studying in different streams. The Principal and a few teachers from different departments were also present for the workshop.
News from Ahmedabad
Gender Resource Centre (GRC), established in July 2004, is promoted by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Gujarat to provide support for incorporating gender equity and equality in overall development process and plans of the State.
During one of their meetings when the condition of the women was being discussed, Noorjahan Ansari, our Outreach Officer, spoke to the women and girls about the importance of situational awareness and safety, the need to recognise and report sexual violence and pursuing justice and conducted mapping exercises with them.
Safecity Emerging Leaders
Safecity is celebrating the journey of people who have emerged as leaders as our campaigns progressed in their communities through our blog series “Safecity Emerging Leaders”. Read the inspiring stories of these individuals who are passionate about making their neighbourhoods safer with Safecity and have taken action in their own special ways.
Read this month’s Emerging Leader Soyra Gune’s story on our blog here.
When we asked Soyra about her experience doing an internship with Safecity, this is what she had to say –
“I want to make the world a better place. I want to help people who have been at the receiving end of oppression whether be it on the basis of their gender, race, caste or other parts of their identity which have led them to face discrimination. The internship was right up my lane of interest and cemented my belief that any amount of effort, however small, can help make our society a better place.”
We have several opportunities for you to volunteer and take action. Do check our website.
Know Our Team
Know Our Team is a new blog series that attempts to bring to you the stories of our team, share our experiences, why we do what we do and special moments that have left an indelible mark in each of our lives.
Read this month’s blog by our Program and Outreach Officer in Ahmedabad, Noorjahan Ansari, who writes about her experience with Safecity and her journey with us so far here.
“I have worked for human rights from 2002 till 2016. I worked with the youth and women on their rights and livelihood. I feel a strong sense of fulfilment working for the society and ensuring that people receive justice. When I see people getting justice, I feel an innate sense of happiness and satisfaction that I have been able to do something for my people, my society.”
We are looking for a Program and Outreach Officer for Delhi and Bangalore. Do send your CV to info@reddotfoundation.org
TweetChats
Through our tweetchats we are trying to facilitate important conversations around various issues related to gender in general and women’s issues in particular.
Our curators this month conducted four TweetChats around the issue of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace. Thr chats covered the different types of harassment in various settings, the law, the process of bringing the perpetrator to justice and also covered therapy and rehabilitation post the incident. Vaishali Sundar who is making a film about the same issue also shared her thoughts every week with valuable insights. You can watch the trailer to her film “But What Was She Wearing” here as well as contribute funds to ensure its completion.
Check out the storified tweetchats here- Benevolent Sexism, Workplace Harassment, Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Life After Sexual Harassment at the Workplace.
- Legal Roundtables
- School Leaders Network Meetup- 23rd August
- Online consultations for Global Compact on Migration – Red Dot Foundation has received special accreditation to the Global Compact preparatory process for Migration by the United Nations Member States. We would like you to send us feedback which we can incorporate into our response at these sessions.
- Every Friday at 9 pm IST/ 1130 am EST join us on Twitter @pinthecreep
