VAWG Workshop at Hyderabad

The Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi, with support from the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, is conducting a nationwide study titled “Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms Combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)” in India. The project aims to assess the current landscape of VAWG, identify key challenges and policy gaps, and propose strategies to strengthen institutional responses. Through a multifaceted campaign, it will engage stakeholders—including civil society, NGOs, law enforcement, the judiciary, and community groups—to enhance coordination, share best practices, and promote effective, sustainable approaches to prevention, response, and recovery.

As part of its engagement efforts, CPPR organized a two-day workshop on Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms Combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Hyderabad on June 25–26, 2025. It brought together diverse stakeholders to examine systemic challenges, share regional and institutional insights, and collaboratively develop strategies to strengthen responses to VAWG. The interactive sessions focused on technical, policy, and implementation aspects, facilitating knowledge exchange and practical solutions through expert-led discussions and group activities.

AGENDA

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

10:00 a.m. — Registration opens

10:30 a.m. — Inaugural Ceremony

• • Welcome Remarks : Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman CPPR 
  • Introductory Remarks : Ms Satyavati Kondaveeti, Chief Functionary, Bhumika Women’s Collective
  • Remarks: Mr Alex McLaren ,Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad
  • Guest of Honour: Smt Divya Devarajan, IAS,Chief Executive Officer, SERP, Telangana
  • Vote of Thanks: Anu Maria Francis, Senior Associate (Research), CPPR

11:45 a.m. — Tea Break

12.00 p.m — Introduction to the Project and Research Findings by CPPR

Speaker: Anu Maria Francis, Senior Associate, Research and Projects

12.15 p.m. — Session 2 : An Overview of Challenges in Telangana

Speaker: Smt Satyavati Kondaveeti, Chief Functionary at Bhumika Women’s Collective

1.00 p.m. — Lunch Break

1:45 p.m. — Group Discussions on Thematic Areas 

• • Group 1: Institutional Capacity Challenges 
  • Group 2: Improving upon Complicated Processes leading to Re-victimisation of Women/Enhancing Trust in the Governmental Processes 
  • Group 3 :Strengthening of Interdepartmental and External Collaboration and Coordination
  • Group 4 :Strengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism
  • Group 5: Legal Bottlenecks and Reforms

2.40 p.m. — Group Work Presentation on Thematic Areas 

Coffee to be served on the table

3.30 p.m. — Critical Feedback and Comments by Experts 

• • Dr Gita Gopal, Special Advisor, Gender, CPPR 
  • Ms P Jamuna, Consultant, SERP, Telangana 
  • Ms Brinda Adige, Director of Global Concerns India

4.10 p.m.  —  Session 3 : US Best Practices in combating VAWG 

Speaker: Sujata Warrier, PhD, Chief Strategy Officer, Battered Women’s Justice Project, USA (Online Session)

5.00p.m. Day 1 Concludes

Thursday, June 26, 2025

9:00 a.m. — Registration opens

9:45 a.m. — Day 1 Recap by CPPR Team

10:00 a.m. Session 1 – Strengthening Institutional Governance  in Health – Tool Kit for Improving Processes and Outcomes 

Speaker: Ms Sangeetha Rege , Director, CEHAT Mumbai, Maharashtra.                            

11.15 p.m. — Coffee Break 

11:30 p.m. —  Session 2:  Session on “Advancing women’s safety and mobility in cities”

Speaker: Ms Rwitee Mandal, Senior Urban Design Specialist, Safetipin, Gurgaon, Haryana

12:30 p.m. — Lunch Break 

1.15 p.m — Session 3:  “Cyber Safety for Women and Girls”

Speaker: Ms Dara Kavitha IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cyber Crimes, Hyderabad City Police   

2:00 p.m. — Session 4 : Presentation on Bharosa Centres

Speaker: Mr Renji George Joseph, Programme Manager of the Bharosa Society for Protection of Women and Children (an initiative under the Women Safety Wing, Telangana Police)
Mrs Anusha Vadlamudi, Program Manager for the Bharosa–CDEW project (under the Women Safety Wing, Telangana State Police)

2.30 p.m. — Session : 5:  Panel Discussion: Safe Telangana, Strong Women: Co-creating Policies for a Violence-Free Telangana

Panellists:

• • Ms Jameela Nishat, Founder, Shaheen Women’s Resource and Welfare Association, Hyderabad
  • Dr Ipsita Sapra, Associate Professor, TISS, Hyderabad
  • Dr K Suneetha Rani, Centre for Women Studies, University of Hyderabad
  • Dr Manda Suneetha, State Mission Co-ordinator, State Hub for Empowerment of Women, WD&DW Dept, Telangana
  • Adv Hema Lalitha Kumari, Director of the Human Rights Law Network
  • Adv Amera Pasha, Founder of Pasha & Co, Hyderabad

Moderator: Ms Sumaira Naser, Honorary Governing Council, Centre for Development Policy and Practice (CDPP)

4:00 p.m. — Concluding Remarks, and Vote of Thanks by D Dhanuraj, Chairman, CPPR

4.15 p.m. —  Evening Tea and Snacks, Day 2 Workshop Concludes

PRESS RELEASES

English Press Release

Telugu Press Release

GALLERY