AWAAZ

raising voice against the unjust

INTRODUCTION Discrimination against the female strata of our society - including gender-based violence, economic discrimination, health inequities, and harmful traditional practices - remains the most pervasive and persistent form of inequality. Women and girls bear enormous hardships during the due courses of their lives. Women are still much more likely than men to be poor, illiterate, malnourished and little taken care of emotionally. They usually have less access than men to medical care, property ownership, credit, training, education and employment. They are far less likely than men to be politically active and far more likely to be victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Female foeticide and female infant mortality rates are extremely high in a country like India, ironically with a culture that expects its people to worship women. The roles that men and women play in society are not biologically determined - they are socially dictated, changing and changeable. The need for women empowerment arises from the subordinate position they have been accorded to since ages. The empowerment has been felt as a tool to bring about changes in their socio- economic, condition. It has been felt on the part of nation as well as individual that no society can progress till women, a major constituent of society, lag behind. It is high time that we all work towards this goal of women empowerment. Gender equality is, first and foremost, a human right. A woman is entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from fear. Empowering women is also an indispensable tool for advancing development of a nation and reducing poverty from the earth. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and to improvised prospects for the future generations. "When women are empowered, whole families benefit, and these benefits often have ripple effects to future generations." The first and foremost route towards women empowerment is through education. To achieve empowerment, women have to be educated to be aware of their rights and privileges in a modern society rather than those age old customs imposed upon them in form of duties. It is education which can bring about awareness in them related to their social status, injustice and differentiation meted out to them. "Education is one of the most important means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process." So it is our duty to empower women, protect them and only then can we achieve the goal of a healthy society, in particular, and a developed nation in general.

 A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform. ~Diane Mariechild VISION Working towards a woman-friendly India, where a sense of respect and dignity for women abate social evils, chiefly sexual harassment. MISSION To develop a platform that spreads awareness and motivates the youth to take a collective stand against the crimes against women. Lack of information and little knowledge of the laws as well as grieval redressing mechanisms is a major factor that leads to women suffering in different forms. Also, several NGOs and other welfare organizations take up good and noble initiatives, and their stories could be very inspiring. Ultimately, we wish to build a flexible and unadulterated medium to bring such news and information to students and youth. Sensitization of the masses towards women related issues and gathering maximum support from upright people is our intention to achieve the substantial goal of an INDIA where women are safe, and viewed as respectable. PROPOSALS Following are some of the proposed means by which we could accomplish our objective. We are open to further ideas. 1. Creating a forum where debates, discussions, and informative sessions would take place to create awareness on the evils of the society. These discussions would give a voice to the youth and would broaden their mindset. A network of such forums would be formed in different educational institutions to motivate the young society to initiate the change, in and around them. 2. Inspiring ideas in the sphere of technology that can help in thwarting crimes against women and promoting Gender equality in the society. 3. News and articles on issues related to the problems faced by the society and success stories could be compiled into a monthly magazine. 4. Documentaries, videos and articles can be shared on social media like facebook, twitter etc. The formation of online forums is also encouraged. 5. An awareness drive in schools would be done to sensitize the students on the issues pertaining to the society. 6. Students going on signature campaigns in the city as of now and later, the drive would be spread to other parts of the country as well. 7. Organizing mini-marathon, plays and nukkads to promote the cause.

 CONCLUDING THOUGHTS Young people have tremendous potential, once they pick a stand, they hold on to it. We need to educate and inspire them, sensitize them to the plight of women. We need to bring women from all spheres of life to the forefront and have their voices heard. We need to bring a change of thought. This idea is in a preliminary stage of development. We appeal to whomsoever is reading this to give an honest thought it. Your valuable inputs are very necessary and will be deeply appreciated.