Thursday, October 23, 2014
PVCHR through photography: Shruti Nagvanshi: a grass root women power
PVCHR through photography: Shruti Nagvanshi: a grass root women power: Shruti Nagvanshi, born on 2nd January 1975 in the city of Varanasi is an Indian social activist committed to promote social justice and d...
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Too early to wed
“I studying in
Government primary school after class – VIII all my classmates dropped out from
school except three [two belongs from upper caste and one from other backward
caste (OBC)]. I grownup in the place near to this area and found that the
children of the 99% of the families are not going to the school. We selected this slum and working here for
last 14 years and now young generation are leading their own campaign and ITE(Integrated
Technology Education) are integrating in the process. This is the model of the
hope based on the resilience against the culture of silence for India in
particular and South Asia in general”, Says, Lenin Raghuvanshi, founder and
CEO, PVCHR.
The
three young girls Chanda, Jyoti and Pooja of Munshi Prem with the support of
other children of Chandra Bal Panchayat, Baghwanala, Varanasi flagged a
campaign ‘Will not do kitchen, I want to get educate” campaign against child
marriage in 2010. They are the first generation among their family.
The
inspirations of these girls were the activists of child right centric model
villages and teachers of the non – formal education center (NFE) initiated by
Jan Mitra Nyas/PVCHR with the support of the Child Rights and You (CRY),
support from Ashoka fellowship through Lenin Raghuvanshi and later by Sir
Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). The NFE centre was inaugurated by PVCHR patron
Justice Z.M Yacoob, Sitting Judge Constitution Court of South Africa &
Chancellor of University of Durban, South Africa. Process of child theatre
against child marriage for right of girls made them to understand the
consequence of the child marriage. These three sit together and discussed Mere
sath hota toh mai kya jarti (If these things happened with me than what I will
do) they know that it is not only the girl child who bears the consequences of
early marriage but it equally impacts the lives of those around them.
They
lit the campaign from opposing their own children marriage but also prevent
other to do so. They are creating awareness in their area through meeting of
Bal Panchayat, street march, open letter, signature campaign, slogan,
distributing promotional materials and showcasing their theatre play Sindhoor
nahi Sikha, which shows the demerits of the child marriage.
They
vigil in there are and after getting information of Manisha child marriage they
immediately called joint meeting of Munshi Premchandra Bal Panchayat and
Kishori Baithak and called Manisha parents. After having long discussion
Manisha’s parents agreed to send Manisha to her in-laws house after she attains
the age of 18. But next day Manisha husband forcefully took her to his house.
When
these girls came to know about this incident, they went to Manisha’s in-laws
house and argued them sent back Manisha to her parent house. After a long
discussion they agree to bring Manisha back after she attains the age of 18.
After this no child marriage is happening in Baghwanala.
The
journey was not easy for them they faced several problems to break this deep
routed evil which have become a part of Indian society for several centuries.
They faced challenges and resistance from their own relatives, community and
parents of their friends. Mere phupha bole ki yeh dusro ke mamle mein bol
rahi hai isliye ham log iski shadi class 10 ke bad kar denge. (My uncle
said she is speaking in the matter of others so, we will do her marry after
class 10). The parents of my friends were not allowing to send them because
they think there child will also “Yeh log bahut bolti hai aur man ki badhi
hai tum logo ke sath rahkar hamari ladki kharab ho jayegi” (These girls
speak a lot and are open minded. my daughter will ruin after coming along with
you). The people from there area torn the poster and washed the slogan written
on the wall “Bal vivah band karo) stopped child marriage but few people in the
community supported by signing the petition.
The
Manish’s father came to Chanda’s mother shop and threatens her “Apni ladki
to samjha dijiye nahi toh ham usko uthwa lenge” (Make your child understand
otherwise we will kidnap her.
These
hurdles were not sufficient to stop the mission of these three girls without
any fear they continued their struggle. They performed the street play not only
in Baghwanala but also in many different places showing high rate of child
marriage.
In
personal life these girls are running pillar to post for their survival and
working hard to complete their vision to be on the responsible post for
eradicating social evil, says Jyoti. Pooja wants to become teacher for giving
valuable education to the next generation. Now they are studying in B.A – II
year from Uday Pratap College, Varanasi with the scholarship awarded from Raj
Dulari Foundation, Sweden and Ms. Parul Sharma.
Their
daring initiative was honoured with Savitri Bai Phule Memorial Award, Marwadi
Youth Committee also honored them in the presence of Sri D. K. Thakur, Deputy
Inspector General of Police of Varanasi Zone, famous industrialist Sri Jhunjhunwala
was present at the occasion. Ms. Chanda honoured with HT Judges Choice Award
and her profile published in India today. The Hindustan daily Hindi newspaper
honoured initiative by inviting them as one day editor guest.
Now
they are receiving well support from the community, parents of their friends.
Their mission worked as many parents stopped doing child marriage and providing
opportunity to their girls for further study and provide space for their right
to expression. Now not only three but other 19 children joined in their
mission. It is extraordinary inculcating process to curb down the concept of
masculinity, which is decreasing the violence in families and community too.
Now with the support from SDTT ITE initiative started and Smart phone for
education concept of Henrik, Germany are in process for next milestone of
empowerment. The children learned video
documentation from their own voice of India.
Shruti
says, ‘when we initiated the school first teacher gave resign and then we
appointed a women teacher who faced domestic violence in her life. We initiated
adult literacy, campaign against police torture and the illegal activities by
the criminal in that area. Whole process in the grass – root are mostly
implemented by the women activist and responsible men for women rights so, a
gender perspective is very strong in process against the existing concept of
masculinity.’
Now in Baghwanala three centres built with support
from German Ministry NRW via GIZ GmbH, Indo – German Society of Remscheid,
Germany, dalit team, Remschied, Germany and Jan Mitra Nyas.
- · Women centre for women was built after the donation of land by Ms. Urmila Singh (mother of Ms. Shruti Nagvanshi)
- · Community center and office for the weaver the land was donated by the community
- · Raja Suhail Dev Jan Mitra Sikshan Kendra was donated by the community.
Their
success story got published in India Today, Times of India, Hindustan Times,
Amar Ujala, Sanskar Magazine, Beyond Headline, Inqualab urdu newspaper etc.
Story
is written by Shrirn shabana Khan, Program Director, PVCHR with input by Shruti
Nagvanshi, Puja and Jyoti
Few
Links:
Saturday, May 31, 2014
PVCHR experience on Child Labour
To curb the child
labour Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi was the founding member of Bachpan Bachao Andolan
(BBA) and rescued thousands of child labour from Carpet, domestic child labour, sports, sarees,
leathers, brick kiln, agriculture, glass industry and trafficking. During the
rescue Dr. Lenin realized for that due to the pathetic economic condition again
the children sent for it. So, to prevent child labour Dr. Lenin founded PVCHR
and created Indrawar as child labour free village on 1st May, 1996
in presence of pharis Harvey of ILRF, USA & Ms. Abigail Abris of RFK
memorial centre for Human Rights through four prolong interventions.
In 2001 with the support from CRY the organization initiated for
child rights centric village and focussed on the child protection issues in Harhuwa
and Badagaon of Varanasi districts with the most marginalized communities as
during rescue all labour belongs to Dalits, OBCs and minorities. Most of the target communities were working
in brick kiln because it was income generating to them. The Children spent 9
months along with their parents in the brick kiln industry. Children
in and around the brick kiln areas are drawn into labour as they tend to help
their parents by arranging the bricks for drying and collecting the broken and
improperly moulded bricks. Due to the tenancy system the
women and children are not counted as worker. It is trend by the employers to
show men as employees and it provides opportunity to escape from ensuring the
service to women and children. Once
they get older, they are drawn into the trade, having being trained at a young
age. This age group is the most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. The
National Policy of Children 2013 declares that all children from 0 to 18 years
need to be protected and provided with all the facilities of health, education,
nutrition and protection.
In the finding organization
found many female children are subjected to physical and sexual abused. Radha (name changed) 15 years was sold to
the brick kiln owner by her
relative in Jaunpur for two months she
was sexually abused by the brick kiln owner Mr. Baiju Yadav. Son of Palo Devi
who was also helping his parent was shot by brick kiln owner as he saw him in
unavoidable condition with different female worker.
In last two and half year (July
2010 – 2012) the organization rescued and released 243 bonded labour from
eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. But in this process we experience the apathy of
the administration for not registering case under Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986 and providing rehabilitation package of 20,000
Rupees and not benefiting children with any social service scheme. After rescue and identification child are not
handed over to parents but were sent to Child Welfare Committee. The influence and muscle power
of owner are main reason hurdle for identification, rescue and rehabilitation,
which is coming due to caste system of India.
In last 13 years slowly and gradually PVCHR expanded it working areas
such as seven districts of Uttar Pradesh with intensive engagement in 200
villages with focus on child rights centric village and torture free model
villages. After intensive engagement and awareness building now the parents
working in the brick kiln are sending their children to school. In Sakara village many girls enrolled in residential
school and providing tuition to the weak children to maintain retention in the
school.
PVCHR brought the issues of Bonded Labour Mushar to the National Human
Rights Commission in open hearing on
atrocities against schedule caste (SC)
in Varanasi on 25 – 26 November, 2013 for providing them with social service scheme. In
the hearing NHRC ordered for especially providing work to the mushars during
rainy season under MNREGA to prevent malnutrition, hunger death and bonded
labour. During the visit of Mr. Anil Parashar to Varanasi and Chunar he issued
notice to District Magistrate Varanasi and Mirzapur to provide all detailed
information related to brick kiln including the total number of labourers male, female and
children with their residential addresses and age. http://www.pvchr.net/2014/04/thanks-to-shri-anil-parashar-and-nhrc.html
In 2013 organization
organized public hearing on bonded labour and child labour including the three
commissions National Human Rights Commission, National Women Commission and
National Commission for Protection Child Rights and Ex- Director General of
Police, Uttara Khand. In the hearing the cases of child labour from western
part of Uttar Pradesh were presented that children are involved in hazardous
industry such as in lock industry, meat industry, Agriculture and recycling of
the old mobile.
To eliminate child labour PVCHR provided Psycho-social and legal support
to survivors, Meta Legal Intervention, Legal intervention, Medical support,
Protection & solidarity, Rehabilitation of community, Peoples’ Advocacy,
Public hearing, Awareness and child participation so, they are healed and transformed as human rights
defenders; they are fearless and now ready to face and confront their
perpetrators; they are now in a better position to reclaim and attain their
rights. IT was specifically used
for the comprehensive advocacy as on the whole as a very non – expensive
approach. The cases of bonded labour across India were monitored in daily
newspapers and immediately complaint was sent through email to the various
concerned authorities.
The musahar ghetto of Sarai
village is bonded labour free village. This was possible with the tireless
process and community aspiration for change the community people decided not
work as bonded labour in any establishment and now working under MNREGA Scheme.
They understood the importance of education and now they enrolled their
children in near Government Primary School. http://www.testimonialtherapy.org/2014/02/change-is-possible-we-can.html
Child labour is a complex
issue linked with Socio- Economic & political situation in anthropological
development of specific marginalized communities. Elimination of child labour
means breaking the silence of community through accessibility at common resources
in Government scheme of children and their parents in context of child rights
approach.
Shruti Nagvanshi, Managing Trustee & Shirin Shabana Khan, Program Director
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Right to participation of children in democracy
For the establishment of real democracy need to be establish from childhood through right to participation at various levels, process, policies and action related to the children by the children.
In this feudal society, head of family takes all decisions. This phenomenon is exists either in patriarchal or matriarchal family. The structure of family and society is constituted on this premise. Although the democratic system of governance has been adopted in this country, but there is no room for participation of all persons equally. Regarding participation of children, all adults, families and above all society seem to be diffident. If we closely observe behaviors of children, we find that children fight among themselves and become united after sometime. However, this does not happen with adults. Adults make division in the society on the basis of caste, religion, class and gender and try to inject this division among children. Says Lenin Raghuvanshi.
Due to the venerable economic condition the children of Musahars, Chamar and Nats communitiesfrom the very young age are helping hand for their parents such as taking care of their siblings and helping their parents in the their work. During that time children are exposed to torture and organized violence.
So, in this context it was decided to pilot the concept of Children Parliament against torture in four ways to ensure Right to Participation, Right to survival, Right to Development, and Right to Protection of children between age – group 10 – 18 years in 22 villages of Badagaon and Pindra blocks of Varanasi Districts. As the sustainability of the initiative “Healing and Empowering marginalized communities in India” because these 22 villages are already in the advanced stages for declaring it as torture free model village and we are planning to exit in these villages.
In the formation of the torture free villages we were working with the adults on the torture and organized violence issues and enhancing their capacities on various Act and Guidelines and breaking their silence through various activities. While working on the various issues at the grass – root level activist came across with the many cases related to the children such as child sexual abuse, discrimination and corporal punishment in the school, child marriage, bonded labour and child labour and police torture and caste based discrimination etc.
This concept will provides wider platform for the participation of children and enhancing their capacities on various law, acts and guidelines and schemes related to the children such as POCSO Act, JJ Act etc. through perspective building workshop, theatre play and meeting and workshop for using Information Technology (IT) as the tool for prevention against torture. From time to time the activist will do monitoring.
Karna hoga ahsas har Bacha hai khas (We have to feel that all children are unique) this initiative started in 2003 through participation of children in children parliament in Baghwanala an urban slum of Varanasi. Now 10 children parliament are functioning in 22 villages child rights centric village with the participation of 195 children (127 female 94 male). The name of the bal panchayat are on the name of eminent personalities and social reformer such as Munshi Prem Chandra Bal Panchayat, Savitri Bai Phule Mahila Panchayat. The perspective building of the children done through various activities i.e. Workshop, meeting and theatre play etc. The outcome of participation was children opposed the child marriage and child sexual abuse. Says Shruti Nagvanshi, Child Rights activist.
Shirin Shabana Khan is Program Director at management committee and Program Manager of PVCHR – Dignity initiative “Healing and Empowering marginalized Committee in India
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Proposed point by PVCHR for the election Manifesto for the political parties in India
We,
Peoples Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)( an initiative of Jan Mitra
Nyas) in India, desiring that State embodies the aspirations of the People,
aver the need for greater efforts for promoting the sovereignty of the People
through democratic values and structures based on nonviolence and justice.
We
uphold social democracy and economic equity through sustainable development.
We
advocate optimum and equitable utilization of resources for the benefit of the
people, providing them adequate forum to influence and participate in decisions
on natural resource use and management.
We reaffirm
the inalienable right of the People of India to basic needs including food,
clothing, shelter, health, education, social security and productive work as
dignity of labour.
Democracy
We
cherish and uphold the Rule of Law, sovereignty of the people, a system of
governance that ensures devolution of power, People's right to self-rule and
control over natural resources.
We
advocate full independence of the judiciary, adhering to internationally
recognized values and principles. People beneficial law making process has to
be participatory, representative and fully transparent.
We
believe that People have sovereign rights to take decisions on matters
concerning their lives, and urge periodic review of all international
commitments and national laws to enable people to exercise sovereignty.
We
maintain that governance improvements have to begin and end with the People and
that their empowerment can result only when power is devolved through effective
structural changes in character of Shraman Culture[i] (culture of
inclusiveness) based on justice, nonviolence and rule of law.
We also
maintain that existing social, economic and political imbalances hinder nation-
state building and that the legislature, executive and the judiciary must be
fully accountable to the People.
We uphold the
information right to people through participation in decision-making and
governance.
To organize a non-violence
force in against and oppose the attempt of the
Saffron brigade to saffronise the rainbow culture of the country. We strongly
support the pluralism of our Nation and are determined not to allow anyone to
destroy the pluralistic atmosphere of the country.
Fight State and
non-state actors' suppression on the right to
expression with democratic mind-set to put them right.
Equal, Secular, Free
Compulsory elementary education is the
responsibility of the government and the gimmicks with education should be
stopped.
Struggle to
enact the anti- torture legislation and to ratify the UN convention against
torture by India.
Discrimination
We
affirm that discrimination based on gender, caste, creed, religion, ethnicity
and disability is a major obstacle to meaningful participation of People in
political, economic and social field.
We call
for patriarchy-free secular India, and support the individual's right to
self-determination and development and uphold their duty to national
integration.
Demand laws and their
enforcement in regard to bonded labour,child labor ,
sexual harassment, discrimination based on caste & gender and attack on
minority.
We
resolve for an immediate and effective end to untouchability, the worst form of
discrimination and demand interventions as follows to take in politics:
·
Programs for the uplift of the Dalits and
mechanisms to empower them for defend their rights.
·
Reservations(affirmative action), in public as well
as the private sector, to ensure participation of all at all levels starting from
primary schooling and across all spheres of life.
·
Reservations to enable at least 33% representation
of women in all spheres of private and public life.
·
Discrimination to be considered a real life
problem.
·
Review of existing laws and modifications to
incorporate the implementation of international instruments. http://annihilatecaste.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SCST_PoA_Act_20_years_report_card-on-PoA-Act.pdf
·
To implement the recommendation of report of
Sachchar' Committee and Justice Rangnath Mishra on Muslim minority, which is
going to benefit to lower caste Muslim.
·
Community based planning according to their need
based on anthropological development.
·
Implement SPECIAL COMPONENT PLAN FOR SCHEDULED
CASTES AND TRIBAL SUB-PLAN FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES AND SCHEDULED CASTES AND
SCHEDULED TRIBES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES (PLANNING, ALLOCATION AND UTILIZATION
OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES) Bill 2013. http://www.ncdhr.org.in/latestinterventions/final-draft-on-scst-legislation-english
Food sovereignty
We
believe the right to food is a fundamental right and must be assured through
guarantees to equality in work, justice, uniform minimum wages and land reform.
We
advocate that all aid and trade agreements and legal instruments be subject to
public scrutiny to ensure their transparency and accountability.
Demand National law for
landless agricultural laborers and domestic workers as
skill workers.
Ensure purchase of
weavers and farmers produce while the 'Public distribution
System' prices should be brought at half of present process.
Provide homes to the
homeless and provide shelter to the homeless in urban
areas.
Rule of law:
The human rights situation in Indian states the PVCHR noted that increasing police
power coupled with flourishing feudal social structure in Uttar Pradesh, a vast
majority is oppressed on various grounds such as class, caste and gender. Gap
is widening between people and police who lacks accountability as a result the
victims of police harassment and torture do not get justice.
Police accountability mechanism should be developed and strengthened in order to
establish the rule of law.
The absence of proper police
accountability promotes crime incidents, communal
riots and contributes to public sense of insecurity. Accountability based
policing system can put a check on the institutional discrimination.
There
should be defined provisions for reparation. Compensation is hardly paid to
victims of police accesses. Because nobody is paid and no one pays and
therefore police feels free to act in an undemocratic manner. It is therefore
required that a compensatory mechanism should be evolved with international
standards under which victims of police atrocities and communal onslaughts can
be rehabilitated in a place of his or her choice with same economic standards.
Police should be sensitized to respect diverse cultures, traditions and religions.
Police personnel should be given on-job training for this purpose and they
should also be sensitized towards the culture of human rights.More often police
action in any incident is found to be one sided. There is a need to clearly
identify the aggressor and the aggrieved. No attempt should be made to target a
person belonging to a particular religious community specially the Muslim
minority without credible evidences. Indian Police have pre-conceived notions
about the Muslims, for instance the notion that Muslim is one such community
that is always involved in instigating riots and so on. This mentality provides
the space and opportunity to the lower level police officials to act
arbitrarily. Such tendency and practice gets further encouragement due to
negligence shown by the senior level officers.
For an independent and unbiased
functioning of the police, it is
highly essential that people from all communities, faith and religion should be
recruited in the force. Steps should be taken to develop spirit of secularism
among police personnel. A secular police force is crucial for a country which
is diverse in culture. Some lessons can be drawn from developed western
nations.
Police administration should strictly follow the reformatory steps suggested by
various police reform commissions from time to time and the guidelines provided
by the Supreme Court of India. Indian police structure is the by-product of
British colonial model which needs transformation.
Cases related to death in police custody and death in encounter against the
concerned police officials should be registered and investigated in the same
manner as it is done in cases related to ordinary citizens who attempt to kill
or who has killed someone in self defense. In addition, the responsibility to
investigate cases related to death in police custody should be entrusted to an
independent and impartial agency.
Court proceedings are a lengthy process which takes many years to ensure
justice for the victim. Legal provisions with regards to police custody during
the trial period should be clearly defined. Judicial magistrates or judges
should be held responsible for not following the due process of law or ignoring
the legal process.
Police complaint committees should be officially formed at the district levels which
should function as per the guidelines suggested by the police commissions from
time to time.
In
mostly states of India, police
administration there is a common practice of giving out of turn promotions
to police officials on the basis of their work performance, this practice
should be immediately stopped. The practice has contributed to the culture of
false police encounters.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism of State
Human Rights Commission should be
further strengthened. There should be an impartial body with sufficient man
power to investigate the cases of human rights violations.
In
cases related to police torture, use of
Right to Information Act should be promoted.
Supreme
Court of India’s guidelines with regard to bail
procedure should be strictly followed. This can help in proving speedy
justice to the cases related to arrest and disappearance. This will also help
minimize the cases of human rights violations.
In
general there is a practice when some people are arrested on the basis of mere
suspicion; they are presented before the media during press briefings of senior
police officials as a mark of good work by the police. Photographs of such
accused are immediately published by the media. But when they are declared
innocent and freed, they generally do not figure in media reports. This
practice should be immediately stopped.
People
should not expect police to achieve more than they can do as per their
capabilities. This tendency compels police administration to use illegal methods
and practices to achieve desired results.
In
sum, PVCHR noted that increasing incidences of human rights violations are a
matter of serious concern for Indian society and democracy as a whole. There is
a need to reform the functioning of police and improve its image so that faith
of the victims and people can be re-established on the justice system in the
country.
___________________________________________________________________________
Contact: PVCHR,SA
4/2 A, Daulatpur,Varanasi-221002,India
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