Launching Ceremony of UN declared16 Days Activism Against Gender Based Violence by Cultural Academy for Peace
United Nations has declared November 25th as International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women. The 16 days Activism against Gender Based Violence is the global campaign declared by the UN which starts on 25th November and ends on 10th December, Human Rights Day. These days are observing internationally with different activities and programs to prevent gender based violence. The statistics clearly show increasing and alarming cases of violence against women and children.
Cultural Academy for Peace launched this 16 days long program on 25th November 2021 at Shanthibhavan Auditorium. We have scheduled various programs during these days on the theme ‘Elimination of all forms of violence against Women’.
Dr.Maria Varghese (President, Indian Medical Association, Kochi), Smt.Beena Sebastian (Chairperson, Cultural Academy for Peace), Dr. S D Singh (Psychiatrist, Sree Sudheendra Medical Mission), Dr.Nisha Vikraman (Asst. Professor, Dept. of Home Science, St.Teresa’s College for Women), and other eminent dignitaries led the insightful sessions.
The highlight of the program is that we commemorated the young sisters in the society who have recently lost their lives(due to suicide/homicide and various violence) by lightening special lamps(Chirats) by the survivors of violence who we have supported.
On this occasion, we honored the women who have excelled in their lives in spite of the struggles they had to face. Mrs. Annie Shiva, at the age of 18 with her son, was abandoned in the streets by her husband and her family. Overcoming tremendous odds to make ends meet for 14 years, she is today a sub-inspector in Ernakulam. Kumari Chitra(name changed), her parents died in her childhood, and was abandoned by her relatives. she confronted every adversity which she had to face with the support of Cultural Academy for Peace. Now she is an inspiration for many of the survivors who live with her. She is a girl with ‘Jack of all trades’ and learned many skills through our ‘Community College Program’.
Poster making contest was conducted on Suicide Prevention Day, 10th September 2021 by Cultural Academy for Peace. The winners of the contest were awarded certificates in the program. Many young adults from various colleges took part in this district-level competition and displayed their talents with very innovative portrayals.
