CSC: Creating an Enabling Environment through Non-judgmental Approach.

CSC: Creating an Enabling Environment through Non-judgmental Approach.

It was a sunny day in November this 2023 when thirty marginal women from twenty-five urban poor communities gathered at seaside Digha, two hundred kilometer away from the Kolkata metropolis. They have come to Digha to participate in the three days long Training of Trainers against Gender-based Violence on women and girls organized by Centre for Health and Social Justice, CHSJ in short. It was one of the regular training sessions of CHSJ in which all the women in the group of thirties the community-level leaders of CHSJ are working to combat Gender-based Violence and discrimination in their localities in a community-level regimented approach by twenty-five Samadhan Dals: A women collective managed by CHSJ where more than six hundred women are directly associated and more than 2000 members as network members

Samadhan is a Bengali word meaning solution. But when is that Samadhan found or what are the necessary steps to find a Samadhan i.e. solution and it is from what! All the answers of all the queries directs to a special need of community action which draws a special attention towards grassroot action to reduce violence through deep intervention and make the society more equitable and breathable for women.

The Post-Covid actions of CHSJ: Setting up a Comprehensive Care Centre for Violence Survivors

CHSJ is committed to empowering women through leadership building and peer support. Drawing from a decade of grassroots experiences, CHSJ recognises that sharing knowledge and strengthening gender awareness is crucial for community and societal progress. The organisation manages various community groups to facilitate impactful community engagement and foster effective partnerships for positive change, promoting a brighter, more equitable world and an inclusive gender-just society. To work the most impactful participation of the communities and an effective partnership towards the change, CSHJ is managing different community groups in life cycle approach, i.e.

1. CHSJ formed and reshaped 25 Women’s Groups in 25 marginalised communities in Kolkata and South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Most of the group members are domestic workers and living in tremendous economic vulnerabilities in the slums behind the shiny glasses of Kolkata metropolis. The Kolkata unit of CHSJ has been working with domestic workers for more than two decades, during the covid pandemic when women were facing the most crucial and painful situation due to the increased rate of domestic violence, CHSJ phone numbers were flooded with uncountable calls from women seeking help. The calls were coming not only from the communities but from all the possible and unexpected circumstances that women were facing that time.
2. 25 Community Men’s groups formed as a support group of the women’s groups, which are focused on countering domestic violence and violence against women in the localities where CHSJ works
3. CHSJ starts a 24X7 active helpline to the Crisis Support Centre (CSC), a comprehensive support centre for the survivors of violence.

CSC and Empathy:  Local approach with global possibilities

CHSJs Crisis Support Centre (CSC) is dedicated to the people who are distanced from violence-free living and tension free comfort, those who surrender their existence in a long effecting pain, who suffer under the oppressive patriarchal system. CSC supports them to rise from that turmoil to understand and fight for their rights. This is the story of hundreds of women like Sumi Mondal. In this fight, there is no controlling power; all are soldiers. These soldiers, when united, form a diverse background that represents an alternative power of unconditional sisterhood. CSC runs through the mechanism of a combination of regular service providers and community-level awareness and training sessions. During various training sessions of the community groups, the lesson of self-reflection was imparted. Despite being victimized or tortured, women are encouraged to break the silence and reach out either to community groups or to the crisis support centre. The community women acknowledged that women are being tortured or the rights of women were violated by the perpetrators to utilise the power and resources of oppression effectively in a patriarchal manner.  During the community-level legal awareness camps on 498A, PWDVA, POCSO and other legal provisions available for women, a spark of inspiration ignites in the eyes of Sumi Mondal and others from the communities, and they proudly states that

“Before joining the Samadhan Dal (women’s collectives of CHSJ), I used to endure my father-in-law’s derogatory comments. But now, the Samadhan Dal itself is my ‘power’.”

 – Sumi Mondal (South Kolkata)

Sumi, having identified the violence she is facing day by day, also recognized the issues of oppression faced by fellow warriors. So, empathy towards everyone creates a bond of collective sisterhood. The task of the trained Samadhan Dal of CHSJ is to implement the learnings in the communities and establish broader connections with older people outside the team, as well as raise awareness about injustice among people.

Flowering the life with the light: Gulshan Ara

The Crisis Support Center (CSC) started its work when incidents of domestic violence escalated significantly during the lockdown. People, especially women, were becoming victims of domestic abuse, while men were staying home all day, leading to frustration and anger building up, which resulted in them directing their dissatisfaction and anger towards their wives and daughters as if it had become normal behaviour. One such family experienced domestic violence – the case of Gulshan Ara.

Gulshan Ara, a thirty-year-old, lived in the Bright Street area in a rented house. She got married in 2018 against her wishes. However, the real problem began after the marriage. After the marriage, her husband started subjecting her to both physical and mental abuse. It wasn’t just limited to abuse; he continuously demanded money from her as well. Unable to bear the torture, Gulshan filed a complaint at the Beliaghata police station and then moved to a separate rented house to escape the abuse.

However, even there, she couldn’t find relief as her husband continued to abuse her. Day after day, the cycle of abuse continued, which led her to seek help from the Crisis Support Center. She shared her ordeal and the constant harassment she faced from her husband. Despite repeatedly reporting the abuse to the police station, no concrete action was taken. Eventually, through the help of the Crisis Support Center, she was taken to the police station, and legal sessions increased her awareness of her rights. She learned how to address the injustices she was facing and how to move forward in a proper effective way.

In times of crisis, she was provided with a guest house and later a home by the Crisis Support Center, ensuring her shelter. Regular counselling sessions were conducted to prioritize her mental health. Initially, she did not respond much, and her voice was drowned in the chaos of abuse. However, after a few therapy sessions, her confidence began to build up, and her emotional scars have started to heal. She can empathize with other survivors and even inspire their mental courage. Now, staying in her home, she practices various crafts and physiotherapy for living. Although her husband’s attempts to interfere in her personal life and harass her persist, Gulshan has become much more aware and no longer tolerates it. She records her husband’s abuse through phone recordings, which she can use as evidence if necessary. She has become proactive and stands up against the abuse she faces, maintaining a record of her husband’s misconduct.

In more severe situations or during times of crisis, providing financial assistance alongside boosting someone’s mental strength and conveying solidarity becomes extremely crucial. Emotional stability may be lacking when dealing with matters like going to court, visiting a police station, reporting incidents, or following up on a case. The damage caused by emotional abuse and harassment not only impacts the individual emotionally but also weakens their physical and mental well-being. As a result, survivors of abuse often lose the strength to fight their legal battles.

However, the way the Crisis Support Center has been working alongside abused individuals demonstrates a significant step forward. The CSC is not only supporting survivors but also guiding them toward legal victory, offering moral support, and validating their struggle.

Survivors are not limited to class

The story of many women begins somewhere, but it often gets stuck midway, like being trapped in a patriarchal maze, where their dreams and possibilities disappear. However, somewhere along the way, they may realize that it’s not so easy to extinguish the fighter inside them. That girl, who has grown up in culturally and economically elite and caring family, received an education, dreamed big, nurtured her talents, and valued her own preferences while acquiring various skills, has made herself competent in the eyes of society. She has also built a place for herself with dignity and self-respect. But, if her educational qualifications become futile only for her in-law’s torture and misbehaviour, it becomes very unfortunate.

Mohua Ghosh had been married for fourteen years in the Behala area of Kolkata to a higher caste and economically boosted enough family. However, one day, she had to leave her in-law’s house overnight. When searching for why she had to go through this ordeal, the answer often points to socio-economic reasons as the primary cause. About two years ago, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, Mohua Ghosh was forced to leave her in-law’s house. The trauma she endured, both physically and mentally, during those long days still haunts her, leaving a deep imprint. While she speaks about the abuse, she often breaks down, but she has managed to gather the courage to overcome it.

She got married with a hefty dowry, initially enjoying good treatment at her in-law’s house. However, she continued the long-standing tradition of extracting money from her father, even after marriage. But her real misfortune began when her father passed away, and the source of income dried up. Before marriage, she used to work as a senior citizen care worker at an old age home, where she received a decent salary and benefits. However, due to the ongoing cycle of abuse at her in-law’s house, she had to quit her job. She faced mistreatment from her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband. They often denied her proper food, and sometimes, she was physically assaulted and left bleeding. In her wounded and helpless state, she would stay awake at night, worrying about her future.

In this dire situation, she sought help from the Women’s Grievance Cell and Human Rights organizations, but despite promises of assistance from various quarters, she didn’t find any meaningful Samadhan.

She finally found a lifeline when she confided in a friend at the Ramakrishna Mission. Through her friend’s contacts, Mohua reached out to the helpline number of CSC. From there, she received legal advice and learned about her rights and legal avenues to combat injustice. Counselling sessions were arranged to help her cope with her prolonged mental anguish. She now devotes her free time to working with an NGO, educating children. Despite meagre earnings, she shoulders the responsibility of herself and her elderly mother. She has also become an advocate for girls’ empowerment, fighting for changes in society’s attitudes and women’s rights.

Mohua Ghosh is currently working for an NGO, where she teaches children. Despite meagre wages, she takes on the responsibility of her own and her elderly mother’s care. Despite facing financial hardships and emotional struggles, she has found the strength to fight for her own desires and has a clear vision for her life. Mohua has a passion for singing and used to sing at her in-law’s house, although her music notes and copies were torn apart there. Now, with the support of the Crisis Support Centre, she has regained the courage to pursue her dreams and is taking an optimistic approach to life. She has started practicing singing again, even though she may not be able to achieve much professionally. She is learning to sing with the help of a professional who provides free-of-charge vocal training. Although she may not excel in it, she finds solace in her passion for singing and is determined to improve.

The member of Parichiti from the Crisis Support Centre has encouraged her to pursue her dreams, share her thoughts with mental health professionals, and develop a positive outlook on life. She is determined to provide legal counselling and raise awareness about women’s rights and empowerment, especially for those who are trapped in difficult circumstances.

She concludes, “There are many issues that society tends to overlook, such as the desires and aspirations of girls who are confined to their homes day after day. They may not always find a way out. They may not realize the path to freedom or struggle, just like I didn’t. Legal counselling here has increased awareness. Knowing what laws can be applied at home and what rights girls have is essential.” Mohua often writes her thoughts on woman empowerment and the desires and deprivation of women. Despite the setbacks and disappointments, she has faced in life, Mohua Ghosh has started to repair the road of her life and has the support of acquaintances in her journey towards an optimistic and forward-looking perspective on life.

The conclusion is not the road ahead

Every week, for the convenience of survivors, essential services such as free legal advice and counselling are provided. Occasionally, legal awareness camps are organized, and networking with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) allows meetings with survivors. DLSA has promised meetings even in the community, where people can share their problems and get legal advice. Thanks to these national camps in the community, trust has been built, and the benefits have reached people in their own areas. In case of dire need, CSC manages short-stay support to the survivors with food and medical support.

To focus on the path to Samadhan, ensure the safety of the survivors, CSC of CHSJ is creating a network among the districts of West Bengal to create an equipped and enable environment and comprehensive support network for women.   The  Crisis support Centre is playing a crucial role in assisting domestic violence survivors in various ways, including legal support, counselling, and community outreach. It is also working to bridge the gap between the survivors and the police by providing training and emphasizing respectful and gender just treatment.