The Courage to Change Is In Our Hands

In this article the author Swarna Rajagopalan, founder of Prajnya, reminds us that 'Nirbhaya', the name which celebrated one girl's determination to survive violence should remind us that the world we seek to build is one where people are safe, not just because they are protected or policed, but one in which they are not afraid. Prajnya just completed the 2013 edition of its annual 16 Days Campaign against Gender Violence.  Read the full article HERE ...

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The System Will Not Magically Start Working One Morning: Vrinda Grover

Vrinda Grover is a Delhi-based human rights lawyer and advocate working for women's rights. In her submission before the J.S. Verma Committee in January this year, she had argued that while the 16/12 gangrape had led to nationwide outrage, the issue of violence against women itself had been the subject of rigorous debate, research, analysis and study,spearheaded by the women’s movement for over 25 years. It was high time the laws changed for the better, she had argued then and change they did. Here, we ask her how she assesses the situation a year on and what are the issues that remain to be addressed. Interview by Vidya Venkat The...

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A year after 16/12, what has really changed?

For India, the post 16/12 protests in Delhi last year was a watershed moment, an opportunity for women to finally achieve the dignity, respect and security that they deserve. But one year later many in India are asking, has anything changed? In this article the author says that it is difficult to argue the Delhi rape case has led to sweeping improvements on the issue of sexual violence and the treatment of women.  Read more HERE. ...

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The Real Challenge is Institutional Reform : Maja Daruwala

Maja Daruwala, Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, has waged a long battle for police reforms in India. A recipient of the Nani Palkhiwala Award for Civil Liberties, her interests lie particularly in the area of systemic reforms. She has concentrated her energies on issues of accountability, particularly promoting police reform and the right to information. She is the founder and chair of People's Watch in Tamil Nadu and sits on several charitable boards, including The Open Society Institute-Justice Initiative and the International Women's Health Coalition, both in New York. Interview by Vidya Venkat  A number of...

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Not Much Has Changed on the Ground Since 16/12 : Ravi Kant

With a view to getting an understanding of what has changed on the ground since 16/12, CHRI spoke to Mr. Ravi Kant, an advocate in the Supreme Court of India, and President of National Network of Lawyers for Rights and Justice. He heads the NGO Shakti Vahini which works to combat human trafficking and slavery. Mr Ravi Kant also imparts training and lectures on human rights, human trafficking, child rights and violence against women. He regularly visits various Police Academies across India for training police officials. Interview by Zoya Rasul Have you observed any change in the attitudes of the police towards gender crimes since...

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