The Sentinel CMYK CMYK AUGUST 18, 2018 POTPOURRI Mouni’s Fashion Quotient During Gold's Promotions Useful Apps & Websites Sight & Sound Recipes from the Plantix, Wordament , Nilotpal Bora to Debut in Award Winning Author Bring! Shopping list, and others Hindi Web Series Mridula Baljekar Ditch the Witch and Cuddle Violence against Women and Various Preventive Measures Humanity: Birubala R Buddhadev Nandi A report says that between 2001 and 2007, 193 witch-hunting deaths Ever since the dawn of civilization down to the for equal work are enshrined in Article 39(a) and occurred, and 202 cases were registered, while 931 arrests were made. present era gender justice is a burning question. Male 39(d) respectively. Even Article 39(e) ensures that This highlights the need of people like Birubala and related organizations violence against female is a worldwide phenome- the health and strength of women workers cannot to take a stand to create a strong and unbreakable wall between myth and non. Most of the women are the victims under so- be abused and they should not be forced to enter truth; being evil towards someone and being human; and illogical existence cio-cultural, religious and economic structures. Need- avocations unsuited to their strength. Besides, there and literate and logical stance. less to say, violence against women has been a cru- are several provisions in the Constitutions to en- Tell us a bit about Borjhara Anchalik Mahila Samiti & Mahila cial issue even in the contemporary Indian society. sure safety, security and dignity of women. Samata Society. Crime against women is a phenomenon from womb To improve the socio-economic status of women to tomb. Even before their birth from female feti- and empower them politically, numerous legislations These societies were formed to uplift women, and listen to and solve cide to all other subsequent phases of life until death, like The Dowry Prohibition Act, Indecent Repre- their problems with the help of authorities. The women were given a they are victimized socially, economically, politi- sentation of Women (Prohibition) Act, Maternity platform to state their difficulties and these samitis worked to help them cally, psychologically and emotionally. Benefit Act, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, Sex- overcome them. Scores of atrocities on women in our society have ual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Preven- Also, knowledge was parted in these organizations to make the women been recognized and publicly discussed. Rape, mo- tion, Prohibition and Redressal) Act etc. have been self-reliant. I was a member and that's where I took my first stand against lestation, eve teasing, trafficking, commercial sex promulgated. Besides, in the 73rd and 74th amend- this heinous crime of witch-blaming and witch-crafting. I was asked to trade, unequal wages, deprivation in every field of ments of the Indian constitution, 1993, reservation step down from my position because of it. However, as I had committed life, exploitation, honor-killing etc. are the atrocities of one third seats for women in Panchayat Raj and no crime, so I didn't back off. that women face now and then. Women are still Nagarpalika Institutions in rural and urban areas are Birubala's persistence in contributing towards the betterment of the society regarded the instrument to meet the exigencies of undoubtedly some of the positive approaches to resulted in bringing together some women to form a Women's Association breeding and domestic situation by a large section of ensure women's participation in politics. Surpris- in Thakurbila, in 1985, which she gradually extended to regional level. the society. Wife battering, bride- ingly, in the Thus, Borjhara Anchalik Mahila Samiti (Borjhara Regional Women burning, honor killing, marital rape larger political Association) evolved, in 1992. As a part of their work, in 2001, they and other dowry-related crimes in arenas in Lok organized a meeting to discuss the witch-hunting related issues, in many cases transform epithalami- Sabha and As- um of wedding ceremony into partnership with Mahila Samata Society. She also mentioned that witches sembly polls screams and sobs of women. don't exist and this displeased the myth-believers, and she was asked to women are still Pre-natal sex determination follow- deprived. Be- change her views if she wished to stay in the society, but she didn't step ing female feticide and even killing sides, in most down. She moved on. of girl children after administering cases women What are the principles of "Mission Birubala"? How does it function? salt or immersing them into milk representa- The first thing that we believe in is the education of women. If women are to death are still rampant in many tives elected in educated, then they can take a stand for themselves. From ancient times, parts of our country. A data on the the polls are corruption has been mostly against women, trying to supress them. If the violence against women clearly guided and dic- respect & rights of women are properly safeguarded, the superstitious portrays the grim picture of wom- tated by the belief in witch (Daini) will be eradicated. In addition, every woman should en society in India. In every 7 min- male members get the rights by law because our mission follows the Greek belief that all utes a crime is committed against of the society. should be subjected by law. women in our country. Rapes of women have soared Thus the political rights of the women are dimin- Moreover, an organisation should always be democratic. Therefore, when terribly. Every hour there are four cases of rapes though ished. "Mission Birubala" reaches a bigger magnitude, leadership will be democratic. in reality the data is nothing but the tip of an iceberg, In spite of all these constitutional and legislative Witch-hunting is a sad and unfortunate truth of the society. It has been One person will not be the leader always. are reported in India. Rape in India is considered one safeguards and legal mechanisms to eradicate the quite rampant in Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, There will be circulation of power to maintain the true spirit of democracy. of India's common crimes against women. According agony of women, the tragic truth is that the inci- and Maharashtra. Until 2001, this crime was never recognized. Towards We are yet to reach that state, but this will be one of the founding principles. to the data released by National Crime Records Bu- dents of social, domestic, marital and psychological the mid 2000s, various NGOs, social workers, and activists took this As far as the number of members are concerned, there are around six reau (NCRB) last November, New Delhi has report- violence against women are on the rise in different ed the maximum number of rape cases among 19 ma- matter seriously and started working towards curbing this grave issue. hundred individuals, who are associated with us. forms. Again domestic violence against women in One of such brave souls is Birubala Rabha, the founder of Mission jor cities at 40%. Besides, the capital city reported India despite the existence of Criminal Law Act in- Birubala, who took a stand against the real witch existing in the society, Does "Mission Birubala" work for eradicating other superstitions 33% of total crimes against women followed by troducing section 498 A is unabated. Though the i.e. “Witch-hunting”. Ditching this witch is imperative. other than witch-hunting? Mumbai at 12.3%. Needless to say, a large number of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act was passed in Hailing from Thakurbila village, in Goalpara, Assam, Birubala is known "Mission Birubala," chiefly works to eradicate witch-hunting. It also crimes against women are not reported owing to so- 1956, immoral trafficking of young girls and women for her immense determination and straightforwardness. She got married works to provide shelter for the victims accused of witchcraft and also cial, economic, psychological and other constraints. and forcing them into prostitution or domestic work when she was fifteen, and took the responsibility of her household at this for the benefit of their children as they usually become school dropouts Above all, punishments of such crimes are severe but or child labor are reported frequently. The National tender age. All was good & smooth until her son was diagnosed with as they are chased away from the society and often have to face taunts. pathetically convictions are rare. Crime Records Bureau showed that the number of mental ailment, and years later, her husband passed away due to throat Other than that, "Mission Birubala" also works for the victims of marital There are several rights and safeguards enshrined in trafficked rose by nearly 25%. cancer. This made neighbours to suspect Birubala practicing witchcraft. abuse and for all women against whom corruption has been done. the Constitution of India for women. In Articles 15 It cannot be denied that violence against women is a To know how she countered this false belief, and began walking on a We always are working tirelessly for the welfare of these women. This (1) and 16 (2) women are protected from any sort of coercive mechanism to assert patriarchal will over mission to eliminate such a practice from the society, read this interaction. mission is for women as they are the ones, who are victimized the more, discrimination as the citizen of India and for any its counterpart to prove and feel a sense of power employment. Rather affirmative discrimination in and authority. Again women's organizations gener- Tell us a bit about you. in the society, and most crime is done against them. Please share with us about the challenges your organization faced? favor of women has been encouraged in Article 15 ally confine themselves to issues affecting urban I was born in a remote village.