Dear
National Women’s Commission and National Legal Services Authority,
It is with great joy and excitement that we read the recent news of an announcement that your offices published– on legal awareness programs to be held in eight states of India to be started soon. This letter is to welcome the initiative and congratulate you on understanding the need for such programs to ensure a pro-survivor justice system. We appreciate that you chose our Independence day to make a proclamation that reflects concerns for survivors like us.
We understand that this initiative will be carried out in 528 districts across 8 states including West Bengal. In our experiences of getting our FIRs lodged, or standing up against community stigma, or struggling to get police protection against threats/ intimidation from traffickers, we have felt the complete absence of proper legal awareness mechanisms which results in many survivors not being able to continue this fight for justice!! The DLSAs and SLSAs have provisions to train para legal volunteers and also have funds to organize awareness camps on informing on laws, accessing legal support, claiming rights of crime victims —- BUT the situation in our villages and communities is far from the intent.
Survivors leaders groups like Utthan would also like to join hands with agencies like yours, to conduct such legal awareness campaigns and programs along with community audits to share the impact of such programs if and when implemented. We assure you of our collaboration and support in making this initiative stronger and effective in grassroots communities.
We wish you the best to take more initiatives like this.
Warm regards and in solidarity,
Utthan