'Awareness campaign against domestic violence a hit'

Breakthrough, an NGO’s mobile awareness campaign against domestic violence, has connected more than 4,000 people in one month in 20 gram panchayats of Dakshina Kannada district, during its campaign from October 23 to November 1, said Breakthrough State Manager Kanmani M.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Kanmani M said that it started its expedition from Moodushedde Gram Panchayat and it ended at Kuvettu village of Belthangady taluk.

From past four years

“We are doing it from past four years. At present, we have concentrated on Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Bengaluru and Tumakuru. It educates people on women’s safety and security under the Domestic Violence Act 2005. Trainings, theatre performances, events and Yakshagana was used to spread awareness”, she said.

The campaign was successful with the support of Zilla Panchayat, Women and Child Development Department, CODP, Prajna Counseling Centre and Non-Government Organisations.

Especially, the cooperation of zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer P I Sreevidya was unforgettable, she added.

“We have urged the youth to take part in spreading awareness about the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act 2005 and empowering women. The community members and social change actors trained by the NGO will act as a bridge between the government and society, she added.

“While educating people we made an estimation that 70 per cent people accepted that domestic violence is a big issue, about 41 per cent accepted that their gender is decided by the society and 49 per cent accepted that this is natural. Whereas 55 per cent accepted that they possess basic knowledge of Prevention of Domestic Violence Act 2005. Breakthrough has encouraged people to acknowledge domestic violence is not a way of life,” she said.

Breakthrough PR and Communication Vineet, Prajna Counseling Centre Coordinator William Samuel and others were present at the press conference.