Seminar on Domestic Violence Amoung Uniformed Families

[Guest guest]

Invitation:

Seminar on Domestic Violence and its Impact on the Health and Wellbeing of

Uniformed Families

" Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power

relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and

discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full

advancement of women... "

The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women

General Assembly Resolution, December 1993

While Domestic Violence is a universal phenomenon, it uniquely affects those who

are married to a member of the uniformed personnel. There are approximately 25

lakhs uniformed personnel in service, 80% of which are married. Uniformed

personnel usually get married at a very young age, often as soon as they get

recruited. The training of the service is aggressive and teaches its members to

act without pity, fear or remorse.

The uniformed personnel stay away from home for the better part of their

service, serving in terrorist and insurgency prone areas. The stress and

training can make them respond in their personal lives with the same emotions

they would in the field. At times, it can be difficult for uniformed personnel

to differentiate between their home and work environments, which can impact not

only the general health but also the sexual and reproductive health of their

wives.

Maitri has the unique distinction of being the only known NGO in India and one

of the few in the world that is committed to working with uniformed personnel

and their families. Project Samvedana aims at understanding the various forms of

domestic violence, especially in the context of uniformed families and their

vulnerability to diseases which include STIs, TB & HIV.

The project explores the patriarchal and cultural norms that accelerate the

violence in domestic life and focuses on the attitudes of uniformed personnel

that encourage exhibition of dominating and violent behaviour. Project Samvedana

also offers workshops, education, and support to the wives of men in the

uniformed services. The project's workshops include training that enables women

to identify and respond to domestic violence.

Maitri seeks to empower women with skills such as how to effectively sensitize

their husbands to their emotional and physical needs and to inform them about

the need for education, literacy, and financial independence in their families.

Our training workshop includes discussion of sexual health, reproductive issues,

and " taboo " sexual issues like STIs and HIV.

Date: 1st October 2009

Venue: The Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis (IDSA),

1, Development Enclave (Near USI), Rao Tula Ram Marg, New Delhi 110010

Time: 9:30 AM- 4.30 PM

For participation, please contact MAITRI at:

(011): 2412-2692, 65178288

981-895-1512, 999-975-7438,

989-128-7159, 989-128-7159

Winnie Singh

Executive Director, Maitri

106, Aradhana RK Puram Sector 13

New Delhi 110066, India

Mobile: +91.98.101.32908

+91.98.101.32908

Tel: +91.11.26111559, +91.11.26111559

Email: Winnie.singh@...

url: http://www.maitri.org.in