The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Battling against odds for a cause

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 24, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Battling against odds for a cause

By J.S. Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, FEB. 23. Even as it has mended a few broken hearts, it has wounded a few. In its attempt to champion the cause of women, Shaheen, a voluntary organisation, has incurred the wrath of men.

In the poverty-stricken bastis of Sultan Shahi in the Old City, where it is trying to address women's issues, it has upset established norms and even invited the displeasure of some religious organisations.

Gender justice, economic empowerment and communal harmony are the issues Shaheen is trying to tackle. But in its short existence of three years it has learnt the hard way that the path chosen by it is difficult to tread. "But it is the only one available to us," says Jamila Nishat, the lady behind this Women's Resource and Welfare Association.

Focus on girls

Shaheen works with both Hindu and Muslim women to bring empowerment and change in their lives. But its focus is on adolescent girls, as it believes they can be the catalysts for change. This has been a sore point with the local boys who accuse the organisation of making girls `beparda' by encouraging them to participate in discussions on issues affecting them. Some groups are stated to have held out threats and asked Shaheen to move out of the area.

Interaction

What exactly is Shaheen doing? Well, it is trying to stop violence and discrimination against women at home. Religious and social norms do not permit women to come out in the open, but Shaheen is providing public space for them to interact and share their experiences. Harassment, including torture for more dowry, is the common complaint. Bigamy and desertion are the other grievances among women here. "Of late, contract marriages have taken root. We are trying to educate women and elders about this menace," says Nishat.

Seema of Nasheman Nagar was deserted by her husband. When Seema approached Shaheen she was in an inconsolable condition and getting her husband, Maqbool, for counselling was not easy. Shaheen, however, didn't give up and kept persuading him. "Finally, he agreed to come for counselling. And then it was easy making the couple see reason," says Nishat.

Livelihood skills

Besides providing livelihood skills to girls, free coaching is also imparted to school dropouts. The girls working at Shaheen are a mix of Hindus, Muslims and Dalits. They form teams and fan out in the nearby bastis. They visit homes and speak to women and try to find out their grievances, if any.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Battling against odds for a cause

Time to rationalise bus bays location

Power shutdown

Technical books exhibition begins

NGO support for tsunami-hit children

Seven-seater drivers seek lifting of ban

Airtel's new service

Around the City

In Hyderabad Today