“Wajood” – to work towards making Delhi a safe place for every women and girl

PSI (Population Services International) India launched a partnership with Indrani’s Light Foundation and announced Project “Wajood”, an Initiative to reduce the prevalence of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in India. 

  Pritpal Marjara, Managing Director, Population Services International (PSI) India said “with the formation of this partnership and the launch of Wajood, we will address GBV issues in Delhi / NCR in the project’s first phase. Wajood will increase access to services for girls and women, work with boys and men to address harmful practices, engage community members, develop guidelines for screening, treatment and care and push for necessary legal reforms.”

In adding to the words, Marjara was Ms.Indirani Goradia – a GBV survivor herself, a committed philanthropist and leading advocate in addressing gender based violence.

“Surviving GBV and receiving crtical support services allows girls and women to rediscover their identity and live with dignity. A world without gender based violence is a world with healthier families, communities and countries. With the launch of Wajood, we join a growing chorus of people working in India to end gender based violence” said  Goradia. “Delhi, the country and the world cannot afford to have another Nirbhaya or Gudiya suffer – that is our focus” she added.

A comprehensive plan is being drawn up that covers access to services, awareness and motivation towards change and advocacy with key stakeholders for reforms. Delhi has the highest rate of crime against women (69.75 as per NCRB Report 2012) and hence the challenge is immense.

The project will reach out to the following target groups

• Women – Silent sufferers of GBV who have no avenue to express their feelings and feel lost out on life due to their sorry state.
• Assault victims who have survived and need access to the right help.
• Men who might be involved in inflicting GBV on the women in their life. Boys – the future men who need to understand and respect women when they grow up.

WAJOOD WILL:

1.      Increase access to services for girls and women  

2.      Work with boys and men to address harmful practices.

3.      Engage community members.

4.      Develop guidelines for screening, treatment and care.

5.      Push for necessary legal reform.

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