Sexual violence survivors’ dignity march reaches Jaipur

CAMPAIGN The march is platform for survivors to narrate their ordeal in own voice

JAIPUR: In a bid to spread awareness about the sexual violence survivors’ right to lead a dignified life, the Dignity march that started on December 20, 2018 reached Jaipur on Sunday.

At a press conference on Sunday, Ashif Shaikh from Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan said that unlike the march where only people concerned come together, Dignity march comprises sexual violence survivors carrying out march. Shaikh, who is also convenor of the dignity march said “It is a platform for the survivors to narrate their stories in their own voice. It is a call to end the culture of shame and demand zero tolerance for sexual violence in our society.” The march was kicked off in Mumbai and presently has travelled across 14 states.

Sahikh said that the march is set to be held in four parts in Jaipur where the survivors marched with the people from ‘Nat’ community against forced prostitution. “The second phase is meetings with several lawyers that is being held in order to find out a solution to the legal struggles of the victim. The third is the press conference after which the survivors will march to village ‘Bhateri’ which is Bhanwari Devi’s village,” said Shaikh.

“According to National family health survey (2015-16), one out of four of women between age group 14-59 face spousal violence in Rajasthan. As per the latest National Crime Record Bureau 2016, of the total 15,379 victims trafficked in India, 58.7% were children. Most of these children are trafficked for sex work (or Commercial Sexual Exploitation). Number of crime cases 2012 2016 Against women Against children Total cases of crime for the trial (Figures for 2016) Conviction rate Pendency rate accounts for rape, out of total crimes

According to National family health survey (2015-16), 1/4 of women between age group 14-59 face spousal violence in Rajasthan.

Source: NCRB