2014
Activity Report (October, 2013 to January, 2014) The activity report from October, 2013 to January, 2014 covers the wide range of activities covered during this period.
Project Coordinator, Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna 1/1/2014
Activity Report
Contents 1.
Executive summary ............................................................................................................................... 3
2.
Background of the organization ............................................................................................................ 3
3.
Activities covered from October, 2013 to January, 2014 ..................................................................... 4 3.1.
Sending reports to Nirnaya ........................................................................................................... 4
3.2.
Outreach to the mass through social networking .......................................................................... 4
3.3.
The follow-up activity................................................................................................................... 6
3.4.
Distribution of IEC materials ........................................................................................................ 7
3.5.
Protest March against the occurrences of sexual harassment with the working women .............. 8
3.6.
Our intervention in the sexual harassment cases in Patna ............................................................. 9
3.6.1.
Rupa Shree Das Gupta Case ................................................................................................. 9
3.6.2.
Ms. Ratna Purkasthya case.................................................................................................. 10
3.6.3.
Ms. Bhavna Case................................................................................................................. 11
3.6.4.
Sunita Devi’s case ............................................................................................................... 13
3.6.5.
Ms. Shirin’s case ................................................................................................................. 13
3.7.
Awareness campaign with the media Partners ............................................................................ 13
3.8.
Planning a protest relating to the sexual harassment cases in Patna ........................................... 14
3.9.
Protest March on 5th January ....................................................................................................... 15
3.10.
Regular press conferences ....................................................................................................... 16
3.11.
RTI .......................................................................................................................................... 16
RTI reply ................................................................................................................................................. 17 3.12.
Peer Review of the WNGO based in Delhi ............................................................................. 17
3.13.
Peer Review visit by the Delhi team to Mahila Jagaran Kendra ............................................. 18
3.14.
Second monitoring visit from NIRNAYA .............................................................................. 20
3.15.
Formation of the NIRBHAYA Network ................................................................................. 20
3.16.
Monitoring and project management: Staff meeting............................................................... 22
4.
News-cuttings ..................................................................................................................................... 23
5.
Problems ............................................................................................................................................. 26
6.
Achievements ...................................................................................................................................... 27
7.
NIRNAYA’s Support and guidance ................................................................................................... 28
8.
Foreword ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report 1. Executive summary The activity report of Mahila Jagaran Kendra for “Prevention of women from sexual harassment at Patna” covers the wide range of activities covered from October, 2013 to January, 2014. It describes the major activities such as follow-up with the institutions covered in the survey for the implementation of the sexual harassment laws, organization’s intervention in the sexual harassment cases and regular press conferences. Moreover, other additional activities such as filing the RTIs, mass outreach through social networking, distribution of IEC materials, protest marches etc. are also described in full length in the report. Report provides description of the activities covered during the said period.
2. Background of the organization Mahila Jagaran Kendra (hence forth MJK) began as a women’s group in 1992, with a vision of empowering women to fight against various forms of violence in society. The group was formally registered as an NGO in the year 1994. MJK primarily works with women and adolescent girls in 25 villages of Daniyawa block in Patna district. Some of the major activities of the organization over the past several years include organizing women and adolescent girls into groups at the village level and building their awareness around issues related to violence. The organization conducts training programmes and workshops to continuously expand women’s information base through their” Soochna Kendra’” (information centers) for a cluster of villages. Each village also has a “Mahila Jagaran Sanghathan” and a “Mahila Jagaran Kendra” (Women’s Resource Center) where women are encouraged to come and discuss various issues and more importantly a space for women to speak and share their problems and concerns. MJK runs nonformal adult education centers for women In villages and also works with adolescent girls through an organized forum such as “Kishori Sanghathan’s”.
The organization has been taking the lead in raising the issues relating to the women atrocities. The organization has done remarkable work relating to the Witch Craft Hunting in the various districts of Bihar, it has also its family counseling center running in various districts of Bihar, and moreover it is also working on the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 for providing speedy justice to the women facing domestic violence. The organization has also been Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report running a campaign on ending violence against women, named as We Can Campaign. Recently, the organization has also been working for the proper implementation of the sexual harassment law (The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prohibition, Prevention and Redressal) Act, 2013.
3. Activities covered from October, 2013 to January, 2014 3.1.
Sending reports to Nirnaya
In order to maintain transparency and frequent communication (about the activities) with the funding partners the time frame of four months for reporting has been set. As per the grant letter the activity report, expenditure reports, force field report (indicator report) were prepared as per the guidelines set in the grant letter and were sent to NIRNAYA in the first week of October, 2013. These reports covered the activities and expenditures between the months of June to September, 2013. 3.2.
Outreach to the mass through social networking
In order to connect with the larger no of people and for making them a part of the network a blog as well as face-book page has been created in the name of “Campaign against sexual harassment of women at workplace”. The blog and face book page was created with the intention to propagate the activities undertaken by the organization in relation to the sexual harassment of women at workplace. Through the blog (blog address: http://www.cashowaw.blogspot.in/) and the face-book page (face book address: https://www.facebook.com/sexharawomeworkpatna) we have shared various reports, information and pictures of our activities. We are thus trying to make the mass aware of the activities undertaken by us as well as about the sexual harassment laws and the present scenario of its implementation. Moreover, the activities on the social networking was undertaken to sensitize the mass on the issue of sexual harassment of women at workplace. As a result, approximately 500 hundred views have been made to the blog as well as approx. hundred people are connected to the face-book page in the past 4 months which is an achievement for the organization in the field of mass awareness.
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Activity Report
Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report
3.3.
The follow-up activity
In the Follow-up activity we have reached all the institutions which were covered in the survey on sexual harassment of women at workplace. During the follow-up process, a humble request was made through letters to the institutions where the survey was covered to form a sexual harassment complaint committee. The request has been made to form the committee as soon as possible according to the guidelines provided in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) act, 2013 as well as the Vishakha Guidelines as well as if they have formed any sexual harassment complaint committee earlier then they shall share some basic information relating to formation of the complaint committee with us in the written form. The Project Coordinator after taking the appointment with the head of the institutions had held a series of meetings with them and after orientating them about the need of implementing the sexual harassment laws, she requested them to form sexual harassment complaint committee at their workplace. She also briefed them the lawful procedure to form the committee at their workplaces. So far, five institutions have provided us the written information in this regard.
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Activity Report All the institutions have shared their information verbally; we are looking forward for a written reply from the institutions as soon as possible. According to the information gathered by the Project Coordinator from the institutions about the implementation of sexual harassment laws, the sexual harassment complaint committee has been formed in 15 institutions till date. Moreover, The Oriental Insurance Company located in Kadam Kuan, Patna and the Rajkiya Aaurvedic College and Hospital, Budh Murti, Patna, the Exalt Engineering College and Hardware Networking Institute, Kadam Kuan, Patna located in Exhibition was also very keen to form the committee. Moreover, the project staff also
visited
the
women
working in the unorganized sector including them who were surveyed. She found a positive reaction of these women as they said that now they do not get harassed at their workplaces, i.e., on the roads,
garbage
sites,
construction sites etc. 3.4.
Distribution of IEC materials
The IEC materials have been drafted, designed and prepared for the increasing awareness among the people about the sexual harassment laws in India. These IEC materials have been distributed to the beneficiaries and other people during various meetings, consultations as well as during the follow-up programs. The materials have been circulated to the beneficiaries, the people covered in the survey, head of the institutions, members of the civil society, feminist activists and persons across different walks of life in order to increase awareness on the sexual harassment laws and the importance of its implementation.
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Activity Report Due to the sharing vital information relating to sexual harassment of women at workplace through IEC materials large number of population has come to know the basics of the sexual harassment laws. The heads of the institutions now have a brief knowledge of the procedures for the formation of sexual harassment complaint committee and it’s functioning as well as their responsibilities towards the safety of their female staffs. Moreover, the male and female employees have also become aware of the meaning of sexual harassment, the remedial measures provided in laws etc. Discussing ahead, it is worth mentioning that after our intervention and orientation provided to the head of the institutions about the sexual harassment laws, more than 15 institutions have formed the internal sexual harassment complaint committee while the others are in process. 3.5.
Protest March against the occurrences of sexual harassment with the working women
In wake of the sexual harassment case filed against Mr. Tarun Tejpal by the Tehelka journalist, various women, media networks and women activists participated in the protest march which was organized on 26th November, 2013. The protest march was carried from Radio Station, Fraser Road to Dakbunglow Chauraha. The women activists and media persons together raised slogans against the occurrences of sexual harassment at workplaces. Moreover, a press conference was also organized at the protest venue. The march was also taken out with the intention to condemn the occurrences of sexual harassment in the media houses and at other workplaces. Ms. Neelu, the Chairperson of Mahila Jagaran Kendra; Ms. Shivani Choudhary, Secretary of Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna; Ms. Nivedita Jha, eminent journalist; Ms. Babita; Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report Ms. Ragini Sinha and Ms. Puja, the Project Coordinator for Prevention of sexual harassment in Patna project and other staffs were present in the protest and actively participated in the event. 3.6.
Our intervention in the sexual harassment cases in Patna
After various activities undertaken by the organization relating to sexual harassment many cases came into light related to the sexual harassment at workplace in the Month of December, 2013. Ms. Ratna Purakasthya, the Programming head of the Doordarshan, Patna said that she was harassed by one of the most influential person at her workplace. Another case of Sexual harassment of has come into light of the Raymond’s Company in Patna. Ms. Shirin, works at the Raymonds office in Patna, she is also seeking our help in this regard. While a complicated case involving sexual harassment of a lady artist named Ms. Bhavna working in Doordarshan had also come into light in the month of December. 3.6.1. Rupa Shree Das Gupta Case Ms. Rupa Shree Das Gupta was appointed as Associate Professor in IGIMS, Patna following the due procedure of selection of candidate and appointment on 14.10.2011. After a certain period of time, Ms. Rupa Shree Das Gupta was given an INDECENT and OUTRAGEOUS proposal of being the “BED MATE” of Dr. Arun Kumar, the Director of IGIMS. As, Ms. Rupa Shree Das Gupta rejected his dirty proposal of sleeping with him, he started harassing the victim through various means. He often used to call her in his office without any official reason and tried to get into physical contacts with her. When she rejected his advances, the Director demoted her from the post of Associate Professor to the post of Assistant Professor on false and arbitrary grounds by the order dated 24.08.2012. Later on the institution, served her the letter of termination by violating the principles of “natural justice”. She was also physically assaulted by the Nursing teacher, Ms. Shushma Charlie in the IGIMS campus on 28.08.2012 & 30.08.2012 at his instance, because, Ms. Rupa shree had filed a case in the Patna High Court for her illegal termination. She was also threatened and abused by the Director in the IGIMS campus itself on 5.6.2013 & 6.6.2013. Her financial status became very precarious as she was dismissed from the job and was not getting salary. Moreover, she was also termed as mentally unstable by the Director, IGIMS in a letter to the concerned government authorities leading to her defamation. She was forcefully taken in illegal custody by the police in the midnight on 15.07.2013; in the meanwhile, diacoty was committed in her quarter of IGIMS. When she went back home next day after being released Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report by the police, she found that many of her important documents were missing. She alleged that the Director got her quarter ransacked. When Ms. Rupa Shree was unable to seek proper response from the police and administration, she approached the women networks in order to get help from them in seeking justice. Thereafter, the women networks namely; Bihar Women’s Network, Jago Behna, Working Women’s Association, Gharelu Mahila Kaamgar, Bengali Association, Bharat Swabhiman, Lok Parishad, Mahila Ekta Parishad and Mahila Atyachar Virodhi Sangh Morcha actively got involved in the case and helped the victim in getting her case registered in the Shashtri Nagar Thana for the act of diacoty committed in her house. The women networks are also helping her in providing her legal support. They have been continuously engaged with her on every front for getting the justice rendered to her. Currently, her case is pending in the High court. The High Court has allowed her to live in the quarter till the matter is under investigation. In this case the High Court had granted a stay order itself in the month of August and allowed Rupashree to stay in the flat allotted to her in the IGIMS Campus. Moreover, the Director, i.e. perpetrator had finished his term in December, 2013 and had reapplied for the post but because of the mounting pressure by the women activists and organization the government did not consider his application this time for the post of Director. Now, to provide Rupashree’s case more strength, the members of the newly formed NIRBHAYA Women’s Network, Bihar chapter are scheduled to meet the Director this month in the last week of February, 2014 as he will take the charge of Director’s position during that period. 3.6.2. Ms. Ratna Purkasthya case Ms. Ratna Purkasthya is a well renowned lady. She was the Additional assistant director cum Programme Officer at the Doordarshan, Patna since 2013. She hails from Assam, but due to the nature of the job she has been moving to different places. The bad fate knocked her door as soon as she was given the charge of a Programme officer because it is one of the highest positions in the institutions and others had been eyeing the same since a long period of time. Moreover, as she was an honest employee she became the eyesore for the higher officials and agents who were engaged in the booking of the artists and used to make money from the commission.
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Activity Report But the matter became worst when she refused to forward & pass the bills and files of Navin Prasad, the brother of Shyam Rajak, the Food & Civil Supplies Minister of Bihar Government. She was severally abused by the perpetrator as well as he used to make sexually coloured remarks against her (more specifically about her physical appearance) at her workplace in order to demoralize her. She was also threatened for the loss of life by the perpetrator and even by the Minister Shyam Rajak through various means. Thereafter, as Ms. Ratna felt that she was left alone, she called up the Project Officer of Mahila Jagaran Kendra for seeking help. Then the women activists went along with the Project Officer to meet Ms. Ratna. Ms. Ratna narrated her story in full length to them and asked for help in the case. As, she seemed relentlessly mentally harassed she was consoled by them. Moreover, Ms. Ratna was also told by the Project Officer who is also a lawyer that her case falls within the purview of sexual harassment law, 2013 (the fact that she was unaware of), therefore, she must file the case in-front of the National Human Rights Commission and the Sexual harassment complaint committee in Delhi as she was herself the head of the internal sexual harassment complaint committee. Earlier, she was reluctant to raise her sexual harassment issue. But now she is determined to fight her case for the cause of the women at large. Ahead, she was being provided with the legal aid and counseling from time to time, so, she finally lost her hesitation for filing the case of sexual harassment. She therefore, filed a complaint in the National office and the National Human Rights Commission. An inquiry was set up by the National office of Doordarshan by a committee comprising of two males and a female. Therefore, on the advice of the project staff, Ms. Ratna challenged the judicious nature of the committee which was against the provision of law according to the Sexual harassment act, 2013 and the Vishakha Guidelines. In order to mount pressure on the government and authorities in the cases of sexual harassment that have occurred in the recent past the organization had also planned a protest march on 5 th of January, 2014.Thereafter, a committee was again formed by the National office and it is scheduled to visit the Patna office for inquiry shortly. 3.6.3. Ms. Bhavna Case Ms. Bhavna is a married woman aged 23 years who lives in Mithapur, P.S. – Jakkanpur thana, District – Patna. She works as a casual artist in Doordarshan, Patna. Her elder sister Ms. Neha also used to work at Doordarshan Patna. Bhavna is the mother of an infant girl. While, she used Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report to work as an artist in Doordarshan, a year back, she was severally harassed by a clerk at Doordarshan, Patna. He used to harass her by every possible means such as, stalking, abusing, unwelcomed demands of sexual favours. He used to give her indecent proposals and asked her to leave her husband and stay with him. He also used to manipulate the victim by stating that he loves her and thus she should leave her husband. While on the other hand, Ms. Bhavna used to ignore him and requested him to stay out of her married life as she is happy with her family and husband. Still, the harassment continued as long as she left Doordarshan for a year just because of the sexual and mental harassment caused by the perpetrator. As, Ms. Bhavna had left Doordarshan for a year, so, during that interval the perpetrator was not able to harass her due to lack of contact. But, the chain of incidences of harassment started afresh as soon as Bhavna rejoined Doordarshan office. The incidences of stalking etc. again became a part of Bhavna’s life. Moreover, the situation became worst when she was taken for a shooting to Banaras by the perpetrator between 15th to 25th of December, 2013 without the prior information of her husband and parents that where she is being taken. Her sister and parents were not able to contact her since 20th to 25th of December, 2013. As, five days had passed and they were still not able to contact her, so, they straight forward went to the Doordarshan office at Patna for tracing the whereabouts of the perpetrator and the victim. When the Project Officer of the Mahila Jagaran Kendra got the information of the incidence, she rushed to the Doordarshan office at Patna along with other women activists. The women activists met with the parents of the victim and took account of the whole incidence. They there and then talked to the authorities of the Doordarshan including the Deputy Director and mounted pressure on the authorities to trace out the location of the victim and the perpetrator. In the meanwhile, the victim’s parents also went to register the FIR at Jakkanpur thana on the advice of the Project staff and women activist, but, the police officials refused to register the FIR. Nevertheless, as the pressure was mounted on the Doordarshan authorities therefore, they contacted their Delhi and U.P. office and they were finally able to trace the whereabouts of the victim and the perpetrator. The victim returned home safe due to the immediate action taken by the authorities. Moreover, a verbal inquiry was set on the perpetrator by the authorities, where he undertook that he will not harass the victim any further and thus the case came to an end by way of compromise between both the parties. The victim’s parents and his husband were reluctant to file the case.
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Activity Report 3.6.4. Sunita Devi’s case Sunita Devi is a rag picker in her 30s. She stays at Bakri Market, Patna in the slum area. When our surveyor visited and interviewed her for the first time she was filled with anger and gloom. She said that she is often chased/stalked by a group of men, making abusive remarks, they make vulgar and indecent comments on her as well as her physical appearances. Her suffering does not end here; she is also physically harassed by these men when she steps out of her makeshift home for earning her bread. She told us that no one comes to her rescue, but, she herself has to guard and act in her self-defense when chased by them. Annoyingly, she also told the surveyor that the police and administration is meant for the big and rich people not for them. So, they themselves have to take action to protect their selves. She does not crumble under their pressure and often fights with them with whatever she haves with her in order to protect her dignity. In the fight she often gets injured. But, the situation in Sunita Devi’s life has out rightly changed as now she is able to earn her livelihood without any fear of sexual harassment or other crimes. It was revealed when the Project Coordinator visited her home in the months of November and December, 2013 as well as in January, 2014. Due to the hue and cry over the issue of sexual harassment of women at workplaces, whether related to organized or unorganized sector the government has put CCTV cameras at the public places. Therefore, the miscreants have the fear of getting booked, so, they have become inactive. Thus, life for ladies like Sunita Devi and others have become much safer. 3.6.5. Ms. Shirin’s case Ms. Shirin is an employee of the Raymond Company in Patna, although, she hails from Kolkata, West Bengal. She was sexually harassed by the Manager of her company. As, she had filed the case in front of the sexual harassment complaint committee, the committee rejected her plea and instead of providing her relief, it had labeled baseless allegations on the character of the victim which also created lot of mental agony for the victim. Right now she is seeking help from the organization. 3.7.
Awareness campaign with the media Partners
An awareness campaign was planned by the organization (project staff) with the media partners such as; Doordarshan& Radio Mirchi. While the talks with Doordarshan has not materialized due to our involvement in the case of sexual harassment of Ms. Ratna. But, our talks with Radio Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report Mirchi have materialized. They have asked us to visit the Radio Mirchi office and provide them the legal and socio inputs on the issue of sexual harassment of women at workplace in a show where we can bring mass awareness regarding the sexual harassment law. But, the date of programming is not finalized yet. It may happen in the last week of February, 2014.
3.8.
Planning a protest
relating to the sexual harassment cases in Patna On 4th of January, 2014, a meeting of the women activists, NGos, human rights
activists,
media
persons,
lawyers and certain political outfits was organized by project staff of Mahila Jagaran Kendra to plan a protest
in
the
city
against
the
occurrences of sexual harassment cases in Patna. Peeping into the background of the protest it is important to mention that, recently, several sexual harassment cases have come into light due to the intervention of the organization through the project supported by NIRNAYA. But, the government and judiciary have not taken any stern action against the perpetrators. In order to pressurize the administration, regular protests are staged against the apathy of the state in such cases. The meeting therefore was called up to deal with the cases of sexual harassment in Patna which have come into the public light. In the meeting it was decided that a protest march will be staged on 5th of January, 2014 for condemning the state government for its indifference in such cases. The unresponsive behavior of the administration, police and government has been attracted due to the involvement of Ministers and some high officials in these cases.
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Activity Report 3.9.
Protest March on 5th January
A protest march was taken out on 5th of January, 2014. The protest began near the Radio station premises and it was further taken up to Dak Bunglow Chauraha in Patna. Various women leaders and activists such as Ms. Neelu, Ms. Shivani, Ms. Nivedita Jha, Ms. Jaya, Ms. Sazeena Rahat, Ms. Sharad, Ms. Rajni were present in the protest. Several other human rights activists Mr. Rupesh, Mr. Vinod, Mr. Sanjay, Mr. Ritwij as well as some political leaders Mr. Akhauri Subir Singh, Tribuwan Prasad Yadav were also present in the protest. The activists present in the march raised slogans against the dysfunction of the state government in the cases of sexual harassment in Patna. Moreover, they demanded speedy trial of such cases. With regard to the Rupashree case they raised the slogans for providing her the job as well as speeding up the trial of the case. Moreover, while addressing the press conference they said that the state shall look into the matter of sexual harassment seriously and in the cases of sexual harassment which have occurred in the recent past the state shall ensure speedy trial by the court.
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Activity Report 3.10. Regular press conferences
The organization has been reaching out to the public at large regarding the cases of sexual harassment through press conferences with the media. The press conferences and meeting is organized by the organization whenever a protest or any program is scheduled. The press and electronic media have been very sensitive towards the issue. Therefore, they have been continuously scribbling the ink on paper. 3.11. RTI The Right to Information (RTI) has been filed with the government departments in order to know the status of implementation of the sexual harassment laws within these institutions by Ms. Puja in her name. The RTIs have been with several welfare and women & child related departments namely; Law Department, Human Resource Department, Women Development Corporation, Minority Welfare Department, Department of Social Welfare, High Court (Patna), Collectariate, All India Radio asking them about the implementation of the sexual harassment laws on their workplaces, the formation of sexual harassment complaint committee, the name of its members Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report and number of its members and its regular meetings. RTI application also includes the question of separate toilets, rest room and cretch facilities available for the women at the workplace. Some of the institutions with which the RTIs have been filed had been surveyed by us. RTI reply So far as the reply from the government departments where the RTI was filed is concerned, we have received just one decision (reply) regarding with respect to our application. The Human Resource Department had replied immediately after the filing of the reply. It is also worth mentioning that, according to the reply which was sent to us by the Human Resource Department, it is clear that the government was also not very serious regarding the implementation of the sexual harassment laws. The internal sexual harassment complaint committee which was formed in the year 2011 by the department was contrary to the provisions of law because the head of the committee was a male; it was only after our intervention that the government department rushed to form a new committee according to the provisions of law in the year 2013. While, other applications are in process, if the decision (reply) is not received within 30 days of the filing then the first appeal will follow. Furthermore, replies from 4 private institutions have been received in writing namely; Hardware Networking Institute, Exalt Engineering College, Radio Mirchi and Magadh Hospital. 3.12. Peer Review of the WNGO based in Delhi
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Activity Report The peer review of a WNGO named Feminist Approach to Technology (FAT) situated in Delhi was conducted by Ms. Neelu and Ms. Puja of Mahila Jagaran Kendra on 8th and 9th of January, 2014. The peer review was supported by NIRNAYA. Basic purpose of the conducting the peer review was to review and acquire information about the organizational details, project details, project progress and other relevant information relating to the partners receiving support from NIRNAYA. As well as, to share and learn from experiences of one-another. The peer review was conducted on the following points: the organizational details relating to its vision & mission, aims and objectives, governance, operations, accountability & transparency. Some Important information regarding the WNGO, Feminist Approach to Technology (FAT), is as follows: The WNGO is women led and women based organization working since 2008. The organization works basically on the issues of technological approach and its aim and objective is to make the women technically proficient. Moreover, it also aims to empower the women technically. It has a governing body which is also women dominated. Field visit was also made to the fields of the WNGO by the reviewers. It works specifically in the urban slums of the South Delhi (Nearby Lajpat Nagar) with the girls aged between 12 to 25 years. The spirit of the projects undertaken by the WNGO is to encourage expertise in the field of science and technology among the girls of the marginalized community as well as to make them vocal and aware on the issues of their safety, health and hygiene. Thus, they are trying to inculcate the quality of confidence and leadership among the girls for the above stated cause. 3.13. Peer Review visit by the Delhi team to Mahila Jagaran Kendra The peer review was also conducted by another organization about the vision & mission, aims and objectives, governance, operations, accountability & transparency aspects of the organization. Personnel from Feminist Approach to Technology (FAT), Delhi had visited our organization for the peer review which was also supported by NIRNAYA.
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Activity Report The reviewers went on to meet the Governing board members and the general body members of the organization and had a long discussion about the establishment, vision, mission, governance and operations of the organization. They also went through the key documents of the organization as well as the project. Moreover, they also talked to the project staff about the proposed activities, activities completed, challenges and achievements of the project which was briefed by the latter to them in full length.
The reviewers also visited the All India Radio office with the project staff. They met with the head of the internal sexual harassment complaint committee Ms. Alka Priyadarshini. Moreover, they also went to the Red Cross Society, Patna for the field visit and met with the lady staffs there. After covering the government sector and private sector institutions, they also went on to meet Sunita Devi who is a rag picker of the slum area. Huge change was visible at places as a positive response was given by the respondents about the formation of the sexual harassment complaint committee and the implementation of the law was clearly visible. Moreover, the reviewers also visited Rainbow Home, a residential home for the urban deprived girl children. They met with the children, interacted with them. The children also showed their skills and talked to them freely.
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Activity Report 3.14. Second monitoring visit from NIRNAYA
The second monitoring visit was conducted by NIRNAYA on 20th of January, 2014. The second monitoring visit was also conducted by Ms. Subhashree, the Programme Officer of NIRNAYA about the current status of the project. The visit covered issues relating to the application of grant money in the project, the current status of the project, the relevance of the project, its achievements and challenges till date. Further strategies, a month wise work plan and new dimensions, such as; the formation of the NIRBHAYA Network was also discussed in full length with the chief functionaries and the project staff. 3.15. Formation of the NIRBHAYA Network
On 23rd January, 2014 a meeting of the sexual harassment complaint committee was held for planning the formation of NIRBHAYA Women’s Network in Bihar as well. The meeting was held at Mahila Jagaran Kendra’s office in Patna where Ms. Neelu, Ms. Shivani Choudhary and Ms. Puja was present. The vision of Ms. Indira Jena about the formation of this network was Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report shared by Ms. Neelu to other members present in the meeting. She said that this network will take, look after, aid and assist in the cases related to sexual harassment in Bihar. Further it was discussed that active women and new faces shall form the part of this network. Therefore, a meeting on 27th January, 2014 was planned for the formation of the NIRBHAYA Women’s Network. On 27th January, 2014 a meeting for the formation of the NIRBHAYA Women’s Network was
held
at
Mahila Jagaran
Kendra’s office in Patna in reference to the meeting which was held on 23th January, 2014. The women whose names were proposed in the previous meeting for the membership of the network were present in the meeting. The meeting began by inking the subject of the meeting which included a discussion about the vision for the formation of the network, electing the members of the NIRBHAYA Women’s Network, formation of the advisory committee for the network, electing the members of the advisory committee of the network, electing the Chairperson of the Network, formation of rules and regulations for the network, advocacy with the government and discussion on the cases of sexual harassment. Ms. Puja briefed about the background, vision and mission for the formation of this network. She told others present in the meeting that as there was no women’s network looking after the cases of sexual harassment in Patna, therefore, as a large number of cases have come into light in the recent past, so we need to have a separate network which may look after these cases. Thereafter, the names of the nominated women for the network were shared. A no objection notion was by the members present in the meeting for the names of the persons nominated. Thus, name of the elected members are Shivani Choudhary (Advocate and women activist), Neelu (women activist), Puja (Advocate), Chitra Vaishya (Professor), Anita Singh, Binita Prasad Banerjee, Dr. Shakuntala (women activist), Dr. Anuradha (Professor), Vandana (women Mahila Jagaran Kendra, Patna
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Activity Report activist). They were chosen as the member of the network in unison. Moreover, an advisory committee to the network was also formed in the meeting in order to provide legal, psychological assistance to the victim as well as to provide legal inputs to the network. The members of the advisory committee are Meeta Mohini (Advocate), Dr. Renu Ranjan (Professor), Dr. Sarita (Doctor), Ratna Purkasthya (Victim). The members of the network gave accent to the names nominated for the advisory committee in unison. The rules and regulations for the formation of the sexual harassment complaint committee was also discussed and formed in the meeting. Those rules and regulations include:
A statutory meeting of the network will be held at the interval of every 3 months, i.e., 4 times in a year.
While an immediate and urgent meeting of the members and advisory body can be called up, if any case comes to the network or the victim needs help.
The attendance of all members of the network and the advisory committee is recommended.
The communication will be made to the members of network and advisory body within a reasonable time before the date when the meeting will be held.
Other matters such as meeting the director of IGIMS for the Rupashree Case and advocacy with the government were also discussed in the meeting.
3.16. Monitoring and project management: Staff meeting The monitoring of the project is also done at the local level by the Chief functionary of the organization and other civil society members associated with the project. Moreover, the plans for running the projects smoothly is discussed with the Chief functionary, board members and sexual harassment complaint committee members at the staff meeting as well as in the external consultation meetings. The staff meeting of the organization happens at every 15 days where the project staffs present the progress of their project.
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4. News-cuttings
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5. Problems
As the follow-up programme is being carried out by the project staff, while visiting the institutions and carrying on meetings with the head of the institutions they say that such cases do not occur in their institution and their attitude regarding the formation of sexual harassment compliant committee did not seemed positive. For eg: the head of PMCH, Arcade Business College were reluctant to form any committee.
Threatening to the leaders and workers – Since the organization is indulged with many high profile cases of sexual harassment. Therefore, the senior leaders and staffs of the movement face life threatening directly and indirectly for taking forward the case and helping out the victims.
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Apprehension of phone tapping – As the IGIMS case and Doordarshan case involve influential political leaders, high profile beauerocrats therefore, it is apprehended that the phones of the persons in contact with the victims may be put on surveillance.
Time taking implementation process – As the organization has asked the workplaces surveyed through letters to form the sexual harassment complaint committee some of them replied that they will have to talk to their head office and as it goes through a long and time taking process it may consume a good amount of time.
Moreover, as the private and the government organizations are asked to provide information through letters about the implementation of the sexual harassment laws and formation of the sexual harassment complaint committee in written, therefore, it is also a time taking process and the quick dissemination of information depends on the will of the organization and its head.
6. Achievements
Awareness about the campaign from the word of mouth among the public has increased a lot due to the activities undertaken by the organization such as; protest marches, consultations, meetings, distributions of pamphlets, etc.
Victims are now approaching us for help in order to fight for justice. They have approached us through reference, by word of mouth, social media networking etc.
The organization is also facilitating the women lawyers by providing them the opportunity to deal with the cases of sexual harassment.
The sensitivity among the mass and beneficiaries has increased. They have started taking the matter very seriously.
The survivor’s network and their sensitivity for each-other’s matter is growing day-byday because of the initiative taken by our organization.
The cases of sexual harassment which have come into light have been filed by such women who are placed on the higher managerial level. They came forward with the matter and are seeking justice not for themselves alone, but, it is also for the women at large.
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The state government had advertised the sexual harassment laws in various newspapers including Prabhat Khabar after the interventions were taken by the organization through advocacy, consultations, meeting and protests.
7. NIRNAYA’s Support and guidance The support and guidance provided by NIRNAYA, its chief functionary Ms. Indira Jena and others has been very important and constructive in the running and functioning of this project. Ms. Indira Jena has been involved with the project very closely and has been providing important suggestions to the project staffs for running the project smoothly. Moreover, other personnel namely Ms. Subhashree Samal has also been supportive by providing their valuable suggestions regarding the implementation and planning of the project on various stage of the project.
8. Foreword The organization under this project will undertake following activities in the future:
Actively dealing the cases of sexual harassment on the platform newly established namely NIRBHAYA Women’s Network.
Indulging in direct advocacy with the government officials for the monitoring of implementation of sexual harassment laws, the formation of internal sexual harassment complaint committee at all places in Patna.
An awareness program will be launched with the Radio Mirchi, Patna office and other media partners on the sexual harassment laws and other dimensions covering the issue. The program will be launched on a Saturday after 16th February, 2014.
Compilation of the successful case stories.
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