United Voices against Alcoholism

Gender Justice

By Megha Kashyap

19 Mar, 2019 Share on :

This is the story of Kandhamal District, Gunjigaon, Odisha where Oxfam India's partner ISD is working with a women's group. While discussing with this particular group, it was noticed that most of the cases of domestic violence are due to prevalent alcoholism in the region. Their husbands, under the influence of alcohol, regularly beat most of them in the community. They would spend all the earned money on liquor.

GENDER EQUALITY IS POSSIBLE! THIS CHANGEMAKER SHOWS HOW



The women group discussed the issue in one of their meetings and decided to take action against it. They discussed the issue with the village influencers and panchayat members to seek their support. They were able to pass a new rule, that if any person is found drinking in the village, he will be penalised. No liquor would be prepared or sold in their village and if it happened then the owners of such business would also be penalised. This action gave a better impact on their village. Though consumption has not fully stopped, it has been reduced to a large extent.



This is just one step closer to our mission. We need to sustain our involvement to achieve our ultimate aim of reducing violence against women in totality.



STRENGTHENING PANCHAYATS TO RESPOND TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Help us reach out to more such women's group by supporting our campaign, Bano Nayi Soch.



This campaign is a call to each one of you to help change social practices that discriminate against women and lead to #ViolenceAgainstWomen and girls. #GenderEquality and a violence-free life for women and girls cannot be a reality if you don't take a step.

Text by Megha Kashyap | Illustration by Rajen Thakur/ Oxfam India