The webinar “Strengthening State Responses to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – U.S. and Indian Perspectives” is being organised by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) in collaboration with the United States Consulate General (USCG), Chennai.
GBV, an age-old challenge, is a pervasive problem with extensive social, economic, and psychological implications in the world today. The existing mechanisms to combat GBV are reactive with priority towards post-violence redressal. However, a shift is being developed towards approaches for preventive mechanisms for dealing with GBV.
Though progressive laws exist in India, implementation of the laws remains a major challenge. Low public awareness and social stigma as well as inequality and inconsistent law enforcement, all hinder such positive change. International frameworks comprise CEDAW, which refers to eliminating violence against women. Sustainable Development Goal 5 was established to eliminate violence against women. But ineffective policy implementation and absence of local-level interventions are the reasons that hinder such improvements in policies. The failure of various related institutions are rarely analysed and resolved, for which it is essential to identify the gaps in policies and institutional mechanisms.
GBV, being a transnational issue, is a pertinent social issue in the United States of America with severe implications. The best practices and laws are to be explored for the purpose of ensuring that cross-country engagements are utilised to exchange ideas and best practices and tailoring them for local requirements for resolving this issue in both countries
This webinar aims to discuss such issues and shines a light on a survivor-centred approach by providing community and institutional collaboration toward developing actionable interventions in this fight against GBV.
This webinar is a launchpad for CPPR’s project done in collaboration with the United States Consulate General (USCG), Chennai, “Strengthening Institutions Combating Gender-Based Violence in India.”
SPEAKERS
Shamita Das Dasgupta, PhD
Adv Flavia Agnes
Flavia is a legal scholar and women’s rights lawyer. A pioneer of the women’s movement,
she has worked consistently for over four decades on issues of violence against women.
As co-founder of MAJLIS, which provides quality legal services to women and children, she has
helped to secure the rights of thousands of battered women in Mumbai as well as across
Maharashtra. Her widely published writings have provided a vital context for feminist
jurisprudence, human rights law and gender studies in India.
Nandita Baruah
Nandita is the Country Representative for India at The Asia Foundation. She has over 35 years of experience working on human trafficking, gender, labour migration and human rights in South and Southeast Asia.
She has previously worked with CIDA, UNWomen and USAID. Nandita has worked to support national governments and civil society partners to design and deliver programs that effectively address the core socio-economic and political dimension of development through a rights-based and gender-equitable framework.
MODERATOR
Anu Maria Francis
Anu Maria Francis works as a Senior Associate (Research and Project Management) at the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR).
Her scholarly interests include legal and urban governance, as well as concerns of livelihood. She won the 2022 Think Tank Shark Tank Award by Atlas Network USA. She spoke on the topic “Economic Rights of Women in Asia” at the Asia Liberty Forum 2022 in Manila, Philippines, and the Liberty Forum 2022 in New York.
She has also interned with the Kerala State Information Commission, ACTIONAID India, Ceat Tyres Ltd, Biocon Pharma Ltd, Khaitan and Co Law Firm, among others.
HOST
Eliza Jo Varghese
Eliza Jo Varghese is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR).
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science from Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi. Her research interests include women’s studies, public health and international relations.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS
- Current state mechanisms, laws and interventions combating GBV and their impact
- Policy, legal and institutional gaps that prevent effective implementation of such mechanisms
- Community involvement, including men, to address local socio-cultural norms that perpetuate violence. How can decentralised systems help in reducing GBV cases?
- Collaborations with local NGOs for implementing the schemes and policies
- Usage of innovative digital solutions to enhance state reporting, provide support services and increase public awareness
- Best practices in the U.S. and how both countries, U.S. & India, can utilise each other best practices by tailoring for local needs
Shamita is a co-founder of Manavi, the first organization to focus on violence against South Asian
women in the U.S. She has taught Psychology, Gender Studies, and Law at Rutgers University
and New York University, authored five books, written several academic papers and
monographs, and conducts training for DV and SV practitioners in the U.S. and India.
Currently, she works with the Kolkata Foundation, a US-based organization that fights poverty and gender
violence in West Bengal, India. In her retirement, Shamita is enjoying writing mystery stories in
Bangla.