Category Archives: Aarohini Initiative

“Child marriage is slavery,” says Dr Urvashi Sahni

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Lucknow: Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organised Join the Discussion on Child marriage is slavery. Ms Ruchita Chowdhary, SP Women and Child Security wing, Lucknow, Director of Lucknow Childline, Dr. Sangeeta Sharma and Dr Uravshi Sahni, Founder and CEO of SHEF were the panelist of the discussion. Over 320 people attended the webinar. The aim was to address issue of child marriages. The panelists interacted with Gram Panchayat Pradhan, government officials, child Line and members of One Stop Center.

SHEF’s Founder and CEO Dr. Urvashi Sahni said “Child marriage is child slavery! Once we recognise this, only then we will be able to change the mindset of the masses.”

“The pradhans and the panchayat members should intervene in matters regarding child marriage. They should unlearn all old notions and think about the wellbeing of the children.” said Sangeeta Sharma while addressing the Pradhans and the Gram Panchayat members.

Ruchita Chaudhary, SP Women and Child Security wing, Lucknow said, “Child marriage is violence against women. Even today our society is unable to understand the gravity of the crime.”

During the webinar the panelists engaged and talked about how to intervene and stop child marriage and where can they find support and legal guidance from.

“Education is the only way we can empower women and educate the society to see them as equals,” says Mr. Sushil Chandrabhan, SSP

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Sitapur: Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized an event ‘Gair barabari ke Khilaf Pakhwada’ engaging students and teachers from 43 government run upper primary schools of Laharpur block in Sitapur. This event is being conducted in order to raise awareness among boys about gender inequality and to help them become advocates of gender justice in the school and communities. The guests for the occasion were SSP Sushil Ghule Chandrabhan, Block Education Officer Shaheen Ansari, One Stop Centre in charge Deepika Ji, the member of Child Welfare Committee Sanjay Ji, and Laharpur thana in charge Rajeev Ji.

Sushil Ghule Chandrabhan said, “It is very important for women to become independent and take decisions about their life. Education is the only way we can empower women and educate the society to see them as equals.” 

Priyanka Saxena, Program manager of Aarohini Initiative said, “If we want equality and our country to progress, boys and men need to become advocates of gender justice and become active participants in building an egalitarian society.”

Students actively participated in several activities such as – critical dialogues, poster making, story writing and role play were conducted on the issue of inequality and social norms. The uniqueness of each child has been displayed through these activities. A drama was presented on ‘Discrimination’ by the students of Upper Primary School Basantipur got the first prize, the drama presentation on ‘Dowry’ by the students of Patwara School got the second prize. And the third prize was won by the girls, students of Nivori Vidyalaya by presenting a skit on ‘Child Marriage’. Director General of Police Sushil Chandrabhan appreciated the efforts made by all the participants and teachers by giving prizes and certificates to the winners. 

Photo courtesy: DSH Team

Over 40 NGOs join hands with SHEF to educate men and boys to become activists and advocates of gender justice

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Lucknow: India’s Daughters’ Campaign (IDC) called on fellow NGOs to join forces to mobilize and educate men and boys to become activists and champions of gender justice. Over 40 NGOs and government officials participated in the meeting. Representatives from organizations like – Suraksha, Prayatna, AALI, Millan, Action Aid, Vatsalya, Shabhagi Sikshan Kender and AMS along with representatives from government schools. 

“The purpose of this alliance, which is still taking shape, stems from the fact that most efforts to address gender inequality focus solely on empowering girls and women. While a necessary part of the equation, it is also imperative that boys learn to fight, resist, and end sexist oppression” said Priyanka Saxena who is incharge of the India’s Daughters’ Campaign – an initiative of Study Hall Educational Foundation.  The IDC takes a unique approach by bringing boys and men to the center of the discussion on gender inequality. Dissecting the perils of patriarchy, the campaign focuses on why men should give up power and change. 

Dr Urvashi Sahni, founder and CEO of SHEF said, “Boys and men must learn to deconstruct the patriarchal conception of masculinity and reconstruct an egalitarian one in its place. They must learn to recognize girls and women as equal persons to themselves, develop a critical understanding of patriarchal structures that frame their lives, and develop a critical feminist consciousness.”

“If we want to amplify this joint effort, then we must start by redefining manhood and boyhood and breaking open what it means to be a boy or girl and let our children decide who they are.” said Ritu from Humsafar.

Most efforts to address gender inequality focus solely on empowering girls and women. While a necessary part of the equation, it is also imperative that boys learn to fight, resist, and end sexist oppression. IDC aims to mobilize and educate men and boys to become activists and advocates of gender justice. 

“You have to start teaching boys when they’re young, fathers need to set good examples for their sons. There is a lot of unlearning to be done.” Asiya, independent gender consultant.

Photo courtesy: DSH Team

Two Days Traveling Film Festival on Gender Diversity

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Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) in collaboration with Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA) organized a 2-days film-festival called SamaBhav at Sangeet Natak Akademi. The theme of the ongoing festival is gender, masculinity, sexuality and diversity. 

Dr Urvashi Sahni, Founder and CEO of SHEF says, “Most efforts to address gender inequality focus solely on empowering girls and women. While a necessary part of the equation, it is also imperative that boys learn to fight, resist, and end sexist oppression. I urge all men and boys to become activists and advocates of gender justice.” She adds “SHEF’s India’s Daughters’ Campaign (IDC) aims to mobilize and educate men and boys to become activists and champions of gender justice.”

Harish Sadani, Executive Director and Co-Founder of MAVA says, “Samabhav engages youths through stirring conversations on gender issues and Intersectionality. We create a safe space for youth to relate to all genders, and advocate for a healthy, pluralistic, gender-just society.” 

The Festival aims to provide a safe, non-threatening platform to open up, ventilate differences and celebrate diversity in Gender and featured 19 national a

nd international short films, documentaries and feature films on gender such as Award-Winning and notable Films The Great Indian Kitchen, Natkhat, Hridoy Bosot, Abu, Untying The Knot, Maida, Black Roses and Red Dresses, Bhaap, Sunday, Darling, Tuloni Bia. Active discussions were a key part of the festival.

Gender rights activists Asiya Shervani, Nasiruddin Khan, Manish Kumar, Altamash Khan and Amruta Soni were among the key discussants at the fest interacting with the gathered participants.