By Ashutosh Roy
GUWAHATI (TNEC Exclusive): On Monday, Project Maanush Assam in collaboration with the Department of History, Cotton University organised a film screening event as a part of its campaign on the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
About 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence
During the film screening event two gender-based movies “The Woman (Vo Aurat)” and “Fireflies: Jonaki Porua” starring Benjamin Daimary were shown.
The event was organised at Seminar Room, BKB building at Cotton University, Guwahati Assam.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 of December, Human Rights Day.
It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
About Project Maanush Assam
As a part of this internationally acclaimed movement, Maanush Assam, this year has undertaken several events and activities across Assam. They range from the art competition we recently organized in four towns (namely, Bokakhat, Amguri and Barpeta and Nagaon), then the Midnight walk we saw at Bokakhat and Barpeta, to the mural art on walls of several prominent schools in Bokakhat.
The most fascinating aspect has been the array of creative and artistic mediums we came across through which dissent and opinions have gotten expressed. That’s what we, as mentees of Maanush Assam, espouse for, that is to broaden the scope of activism and seek to bring a change in society by beginning to reflect on ourselves first.
About MAVA Men Against Violence and Abuse
Men, often become violent, aggressive, and uncaring due to patriarchal modes of socialization that moulds their psyche. Images of masculinity in society are linked to being strong and violent, and to notions that men with ‘power’ are ‘real men’.
The situation necessitates efforts that address how men can analyse perceptions of masculinity and create appropriate alternatives.
Men Against Violence and Abuse – MAVA has pioneered efforts in India to engage Boys and Men to address issues of gender inequality and discrimination by interrogating the existing dominant model of Masculinity, and help stop prevent gender-based violence against women.
Established in 1993, MAVA is working towards building a movement that explores the role of men as ‘partners’ and ‘stakeholders’ – addressing gender issues through cultural advocacy, direct intervention and youth education initiatives.
