By Matters India Reporter

Bhopal: The Holy Spirit nuns have opened a special cell in the central Indian city of Bhopal to provide legal aid to victims of sexual abuse and other forms of violence.

“Empowering women is the key for building a strong family,” noted Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal on June 28 at the opening of “Nyay Chaupal” (legal cell) at Bhopal School of Social Sciences.

Women, the Divine Word prelate, added have the right to live freely, voice their opinions and spread their wings every sector in society. “Unfortunately, it does not happen in our society on account of lack of awareness about their rights,” he bemoaned while applauding the Catholic nuns’ initative.

The cell is part of Uday Social Development Society, an NGO managed by the nuns to empower the domestic workers living in slums of Bhopal, Indore, Khandwa and Jhabua districts in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. Around 2,000 domestic workers attended the program.

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and Archbishop Cornelio heads the Catholic Church in the state.

The prelate and other guests lit the traditional lamp and released posters and booklets explaining the purpose of the cell.

A skit on women workers
Some women delegates narrated the ordeal they face in their work places and in their families. Some of them staged a skit to highlight their plight and exhorted women to stand united to fight atrocities and exploitation against them at the work place and within their families.

“There is no specific law for protection of domestic workers, our in-laws and husbands harass us, government offices do not give us right information about the welfare schemes for us,” Megha Sapkare, a domestic worker, said.

However, she asserted that women will no longer tolerate such neglect and abuse but join hands to fight for their rights

The domestic workers also demanded social security, fixed wages, fixed hours of work among other things.

The secretary of the society Sister Lizy Thomas said they have inducted 12 women leaders to coordinate with cell and other women in the field.

“Besides taking steps to stop violence against women and adolescents in slums they will strive to solve other problems plaguing them,” the Holy Spirit nun told Matters India. “We will also provide them with legal help and awareness about their rights and forms of exploitation so that they can resist all kinds of exploitation be it physical, mental or work place,” she explained.

The core team members were honored with mementos as a symbol of assuming the new role.

the audience
The chief guest at the function Raghvendra Sharma, chairperson of Madhya Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said that creating awareness among women about legislation and legal rights is “very important” to protect them from exploitation. “Women are aware of their duties but not rights which are very essential,” he added.

Sharma also highlighted educating children as “a significant factor” for women’s development as well as social advancement.

Mayank Dixit, an inspector with the labor department, too said every woman worker should have an identity and recognition whether she is a housewife or domestic worker.

He also explained government schemes and provisions that help prevent exploitation of women and children and promote their empowerment. Dixit lauded Uday for its strong network among domestic workers and standing for their rights.

Uday (Dawn) has managed several sustained awareness programs through Self-Help Groups for more than 15 years. This has helped many women to become “harbinger of change” and address many issues confronting them in their work place and also families, Sister Thomas claimed.