Swayam

Through its Support Centre, Swayam offers comprehensive assistance to women who have experienced violence, focusing on their holistic well-being. It provides individual support services, empowers them through group activities, encourages their transition from survivors to agents of change, and promotes their involvement in broader social issues. In the year 2019-20, Swayam extended support services to a total of 1,478 women, including both new cases and those who had been previously assisted.

Children who witness or experience violence in their homes are often overlooked victims, facing physical and emotional trauma. Swayam recognizes the need to support these children and address the effects of domestic violence on their well-being. Through various individual services, such as one-on-one counselling, play therapy, educational aid, and referrals for vocational training, Swayam aims to help children understand and cope with the behaviours and consequences of domestic violence. Additionally, group activities like support groups, workshops on parent-child relationships and adolescence, and summer camps provide a safe and engaging environment for children to express themselves and learn important life skills.

Swayam works towards fostering understanding and support within survivors' families, helping them comprehend the woman's situation, behaviours, limitations, and the impact of violence on her. Through family counselling, it provides a safe space for families to learn about women's rights, share their experiences, discuss problems, and find solutions together. In one instance, Swayam's intervention in a survivor's family resulted in the mother gaining a better understanding of the consequences of pressuring her daughter to return to her abusive marital home. As a result, the survivor filed a case under the PWDVA (Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act) and now lives with her mother in a supportive environment.

Creating a social environment that condemns violence against women is a crucial step in preventing it. Swayam actively collaborates with local community members, organisations, and Government entities to build gender-just and violence-free communities in both rural and urban areas. Through community-based support centres, Swayam offers services such as counselling, legal advice, and police follow-up to support women in their cases. Moreover, Swayam engages women, men, girls, and boys in these communities to become agents of social change, empowering them to contribute to long-term development and advocating for women's rights. Additionally, Swayam publishes magazines written by community women, providing platforms for their voices to be heard in Metiabruz and Diamond Harbour.

Swayam actively engages in public education and community action to combat violence and discrimination against women. Through campaigns, training, and mobilization of community groups, Swayam works to raise awareness, challenge societal norms, and empower individuals to take a stand against violence. Survivors and volunteers play an important role in these activities, and youth are actively involved through school programmes and campaigns. Utilizing various tools and platforms, including a mobile campaign van, Swayam reaches a wide audience to promote awareness and advocate for change. The establishment of women's and men's groups further strengthens community mobilization efforts, creating a network of advocates who work towards creating violence-free communities.