Access any print or digital media platform, and you are bound to come across countless disturbing incidents of violence against women and girls. Take a moment to reread one such story and reflect on the severity of the situation. Globally, one in three women experiences some form of gender-based violence, whether inflicted by an intimate or non-intimate partner.

Can we truly call ourselves a “human society” when we deprive them of their right to live with dignity? We subject them to physical and psychological abuse, question their existence, and reduce their identity to that of mere objects. Instances of violence against women and girls are increasing at an alarming rate. This compels us to ask: Have we, as a society, failed to create safe spaces for them? Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding yes.

Domestic Violence may produce an intergenerational cycle of violence in children and other family members, who may feel that such violence is acceptable or normal. This cycle must be broken.

CYDA’s Initiatives to Combat Domestic Violence

One of the most effective ways to address domestic violence is by creating awareness — not just among women but also men and the larger community. When a community becomes aware of the issue, it can address it not only at an individual level but also contribute to policy advocacy and systemic change.

Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) has been actively working to address the root causes of domestic violence through various initiatives. It organizes sessions and workshops on topics like gender and its social construction, patriarchal stereotypes, and the concept of domestic violence.

In partnership with EMpower, United Way of Hyderabad, and Bajaj Finserv, CYDA is implementing Non Traditional Livelihood initiative aimed at promoting women to step into male-dominated sectors in Maharashtra by equipping them with both soft and technical skills. A key aspect of this initiative is to empower women to live dignified lives — not just through economic independence but by making them aware of their rights and enabling them to exercise these rights when necessary.

Since 2022, CYDA has supported over 800 women by providing them with platforms for true emancipation. During this period, we encountered over 200 cases of domestic violence. Many of these cases involved women who were unaware of their right to oppose such abuse. One survivor shared her story: “I grew up watching my father beating my mother. My parents used to beat me too. When I got married, my husband started beating me, so I thought it was normal. But after attending the soft skills training for the first time, I realized that no one has the right to abuse anyone.”

The Non-Traditional Livelihood (NTL) intervention has been a ray of hope for many vulnerable women. It has helped them achieve economic independence while also instilling the understanding that living with dignity is their fundamental right. Through this intervention, many survivors of domestic violence have secured roles such as Petrol Pump Assistants, Security Guards, Electricians, and Delivery Assistants.

Campaigns to Raise Awareness against Domestic Violence:

CYDA recently organized the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence — a global campaign aimed at raising awareness and taking action to end domestic violence and gender-based abuse across five districts in Maharashtra: Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, and Ahmednagar. This annual observance runs from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10th, International Human Rights Day.

Through workshops, awareness sessions, and outreach programs, CYDA reached 422 women and over 1,000 individuals. The team at all five locations focused on a range of important topics. These included the typology and early detection of violence, the legal rights of women, and the resources available to access these rights. Additionally, they emphasized the crucial role of the community in addressing and preventing violence. These interactive sessions highlighted the multifaceted nature of violence and explored its root causes, highlighting how a combination of social, cultural, and systemic factors contributes to gender-based violence.

Challenging Social Norms

Awareness among women alone is not enough to combat domestic violence. Men and other family members must be engaged, as many perceive violence to be a normal part of life. CYDA challenged these age-old mindsets and emphasized that destructive uses of power disrupt not only the family dynamic but also the larger social equilibrium.”One male participant, after watching the rallies and engaging in an interactive discussion on domestic violence, shared his realization: “I beat my wife, and most of my friends do too. But today, I realized what my children must think of me when they see me beating their mother.”

During the week, we came across women who are domestic violence survivors, and we are providing them with essential support so that they can forget the past and move ahead in their lives. To address this issue, collective action is required. Through initiatives like NTL and awareness campaigns, CYDA continues to empower women, challenge harmful norms, and create a society where every individual can live with dignity.

Hope Restored: Overcoming Domestic Violence

During the observance of Domestic Violence Week, our team came across Parvati (age 39, name changed), a victim of domestic violence. She had a love marriage and hoped for a happy married life. However, her dreams of happiness soon shattered when her husband began an extramarital affair. When Parvati confronted him, he started abusing her both physically and mentally. He would threaten and beat her in front of their children.

Although Parvati filed a complaint at the police station, nothing changed. Her husband’s abusive behavior persisted, making her life unbearable. To provide a peaceful and decent life for her children, she clung to the hope of overcoming her traumatic circumstances.

Through CYDA’s community mobilizer, Parvati learned about Domestic Violence Week and decided to attend. During the event, she spoke publicly for the first time about the violence and pain she had endured for so long. After hearing her story, CYDA connected her with a counselor who helped her regain her inner strength.

Inspired by the campaign, Parvati resolved to become economically independent. She enrolled in CYDA’s Non-Traditional Livelihood (NTL) initiative. After completing the soft skills training, she decided to pursue hard skills training as a Petrol Pump Assistant. In her own words, she shared, “I want to forget my past. I want to give my children a life filled with love and affection… a life with no room for anger or violence.”

(Article by Soumyashree Mohanty, Research Associate, Centre for Youth Development and Activities)