Advocay for Sangram- Update march 1

[Guest guest]

Dear Meena,

The following is the update for today (march 1st):

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN (NCW)

1. I met the Chirperson of the National Commission for Women, Ms. Poonma

Advani, and gave her a copy of the memorandum personally. We had a fairly

long discussion on the entire incident in Sangli and the present situation

and your vulnerability and the lack of support. She was very belligerent

and suspicious initially, people have been writing to her apparently, about

how your work is percieved to 'prmote' prostitution and the traffiking of

underage girls. I explained to her the entire context of your work (HIV

prevention) and the work you have been doing to empower these women to

make choices in their lives. She was also insistent that you should personally

have been here, so I explained to her patiently that your presence in

Sangli is imminent right now, as the WIPs and the program is most vulnerable

there and that you cannot be seen to 'desert' the local situation. She softened

after about an hour of such discussions which went back and forth.

Finally, she agreed to do the following:

She is sending letters immediately by fax to:

1. Secretary, Women and Child's Department, Karnataka

2. The Distrcit Collector and Secretary Police, Belgaum

3. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Belgaum

4. Ms. Tbassum, The State Ciommission chairperson

She also said she would speak on phone today to Ms. Tabbasum and Mr.

Prasada Rao.

She has also urged you to speak to and meet Ms. Tabbasum yourself, as she

feels that she would be in the best position to help.

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC)

Went and gave a copy of the memorandum to Mr. Srinivas Kamath, who is the

P.s. to Ms. Sujatha Manohar, Member, NHRC.

He said that NHRC has already recieved a copy of the memorandum and it is

currently being processed. It still does not have a formal case number,

out this should be ready by Monday so I will call NHRC on Monday and get it

from him.

He said he will also speak to Ms. Sujatha Manohar today and see what she

says and added that in any case, NHRC is looking very seriously at this

case and the issues involved.

I will in any case go again to NHRC on Monday and try to meet Ms. Sujatha

Manohar personally.

NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL ORGANIZATION (NACO)

Went to NACO and left a copy of the Memorandum for their refernce. Also

fixed an appointment to meet Mr. Prasada Rao. Right now, his P.S has fixed

my appointment with him on 8 March at 12 noon, but I am trying to get this

preponed.

Do let me know the latest at your end and any other suggestions on what

else we can do here.

Best Regards,

Shaleen.

The Naz Foundation (I) Trust

E-mail: <nazindia@...>

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