“Together for a Safer Tomorrow”

VAWG Workshop at Jaipur

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 is organizing a two-day workshop on Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms Combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Jaipur on 24–25 July 2025. It will bring together diverse stakeholders to examine systemic challenges, share regional and institutional insights, and collaboratively develop strategies to strengthen responses to VAWG. The interactive sessions will focus on technical, policy, and implementation aspects, facilitating knowledge exchange and practical solutions through expert-led discussions and group activities.

AGENDA

Thursday, 24 July, 2025

09:00 a.m. — Registration Opens

09:30 a.m. — Inaugural Ceremony

• • Welcome Remarks: Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman, CPPR
  • Introductory Remarks: Ms Savitha Gupta Tiwari, Prasa Anusanthan Sanstha, Udaipur
  • Remarks: Ms Tejaswini Gautam IPS, DCP, Jaipur City East
  • Remarks: Dr Deepesh Gupta, Head of Office, Rajasthan, UNFPA
  • Remarks: Dr Raakhi Gupta, Pro-Vice Chancellor & Registrar, IIS (deemed-to-be University), Jaipur
  • Vote of Thanks: Ms Rose George Vizhalil, Associate (Research), CPPR

11:00 a.m. — Tea Break

11.15 a.m. — Session 1: US Best Practices in combating VAWG

Speaker: Ms Anjali Guntur, Director of Programs, Raksha Inc., Georgia, USA

12.15 p.m. — Session 2: An overview of VAWG Institutional Challenges in Rajasthan

Speaker: Ms Kanchan Mathur, Independent Consultant and Professor (Former), Institute of Development Studies

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

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

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

• • Ms Nisha Sidhu, National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Rajasthan
  • Dr Mukta Arora, UN Women ICO, Rajasthan
  • Dr Arti Sharma, Associate Professor of Sociology, IIS (Deemed-to-be University), Jaipur
  • Ms Anjali Guntur, Director of Programs, Raksha Inc., Georgia, USA
  • Prof Kanchan Mathur, Independent Consultant and Professor (Former), Institute of Development Studies

(Coffee to be served inside)

4.30 p.m. — Day 1 Concludes

Friday, 25 July, 2025

9:00 a.m. — Registration opens

9:30 a.m. — Day 1 Recap by CPPR Team

9:45 a.m. — Session 1: Strengthening Institutional Governance – Tool Kit for Improving Processes and Outcomes 

Speaker: Ms Sangeetha Rege, Advisor, CEHAT, Mumbai, Maharashtra

11.00 a.m. — Session 2: Empowering Local Self-Governments to Combat VAWG: Improving Processes and Impact

Speaker: Ms Anita Brandon, Professor-in-charge for Capacity Building of PRIs and State Nodal Officer for PRI Training in SIRD-Rajasthan

11:45 a.m. —Coffee Break 

12:15 p.m. — Session 3:  Initiative by Jaipur Police Commissionerate with Ahaan Foundation – Project Responsible Netism

Speaker: Ms Jessica Joy, Trainer & Counselor at Cyber Support Center —Project Responsible Netism

12:30 p.m. — Lunch Break 

1.30 p.m. — Session 4: Cyber Safety for Women and Girls

Speaker: Ms Bindu Chaudhary, Cyber Security Expert, and veteran Media Professional & Anchor

2.15 p.m. — Session 5: Rajcop App

Speaker: Ms. Neetu Chouhan Dy.SP, SCRB, Rajasthan Police

3.00 p.m. — Panel Discussion: “Bridging Gaps, Building Systems: A Roadmap to Address VAWG in Rajasthan”

Panellists:

• • Prof Shobhita Rajagopal, Professor, Institute of Development Studies
  • Ms Apra Kuchhal, Founder of WE CARE, Jaipur Furniture Story, Restaurateur-Han
  • Dr Ladkumari Jain, Former Chairperson, Rajasthan State Commission for Women
  • Ms Trisha Pareek, Youth and Gender Specialist, Rajasthan, UNFPA
  • Mr. Jagdish Jaju, Deputy Director, Department of Women Empowerment

Moderator: Dr D Dhanuraj

4:15 p.m. — Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks by D Dhanuraj, Chairman, CPPR

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