Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Social Sciences in the 21st Century
Year: 2023
DOI:
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Exploring The Role of NGOS in Addressing Gender-Based Violence Against Women
Upasha Kumari
ABSTRACT:
This research explores the role of non-governmental organizations in addressing gender-based violence against women through a case study of an NGO Shakti Shalini located in New Delhi, India. Primary research was carried out in three out of the six localities where the NGO operates using participation observation method and unstructured interviews. Further the staff of the NGO was interviewed using structured open ended interview method. This research argues that NGOs can become grassroots agents of peace as they develop a sense of familiarity and closeness with the residents in the locality in which they operate. Due to this, relationship of trust develops between the NGO and the residents and this makes them better equipped to work on issues related to gender discrimination against girls and women through one-on-one interaction with the families through its community outreach programmes. One of the secondary aims of this research is to understand the ways through which the NGOs carries out its work in these communities. It has been observed in this research that NGOs are able to pursue a case persistently over months and even years. This level of commitment ensures that the survivors of violence are able to heal and they reintegrate into society as and when they are ready. Women who came in contact with the NGO have shared their personal journeys of transformation into more confident and strong beings; this demonstrates the positive impact of NGOs in addressing the issue of violence against women. There is an urgent need for collaboration between the NGOs and the government to develop a comprehensive action plan to end violence.
keywords: gender-based violence, non-governmental organisations, positive peace, conflict