Help women and children fight sexual violence by Majlis Manch

Help women fight sexual violence

Impact

Help Survivors Keep Fighting After the Outrage Has Died Down

As the nation is in outrage about the gruesome cases which have caught the limelight, there are thousands of young children and women who have survived horrific cases of sexual assault and rape. Majlis, a Mumbai-based NGO, works with these victims to provide legal aid and counselling.

Geeta didn't know what rape was until the police told her that it was what her father was doing to her.*

She was just 8 when it started. Her mother had died and she was at the mercy of her alcoholic and abusive father.

She was scared to speak up when the same happened with her siblings. After years of suffering, she finally worked up the courage to run away from home. She was 16. She reached Mumbai and was referred to Majlis through a well-wisher. She told her heart-wrenching story to the legal professionals at Majlis, and asked for help.

Majlis supported Geeta throughout her struggle. They pushed her case in court, and finally her father got sentenced to 10 years in jail. Her original family home was recovered with help of her neighbours by Majlis and she was reunited with her siblings at a shelter home.

Often we focus our anger on the immediate news cycles and the horrific stories that emerge. For child sex abuse victims like Geeta, making sure that they are safe and protected is the first step to rehabilitation. Making sure that her attacker will face punishment is the best way to assure this.

For over two decades, Majlis's all-women’s team comprising lawyers and social workers has provided social and legal support to ~50,000 women and children facing violence and helped them access justice.

Give now and support child sex abuse victims like Geeta get legal services to fight their battles.

*Names changed to protect the identity of the survivor.

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you will be sponsoring the overall costs incurred to support the beneficiaries


About The Program

What the beneficiary gets
Legal Aid
Therapy
What you get
Tax Exemption
Periodic Reports
Program Description

Majlis Legal Centre, through its program 'Rahat' provides socio-legal support to victims of sexual abuse.

In the first response, the all-women team of lawyers and social workers meets victims and understands their needs, offers legal consultation and presents them with the pre-litigation and litigation options available as well as the pros and cons of their case.

Documents, procedures, and processes are explained to them so that they can take an informed decision.

The survivor is informed about the availability of legal services, public & private schemes such as shelter, education, medical, legal aid, etc.

Further legal help is also given as required in the case. Donations to this program will be used for legal documentation and processes expenses as well as personnel salaries of lawyers fighting for sexual violence victims.

When you donate to this program, your help will ensure that the victims have access to lawyers who will fight for them.

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About The NGO

Majlis Manch
Majlis Manch Logo
Majlis Manch

Majlis Manch is a Public Trust and an NGO headed by renowned Advocate and Women's Rights Activist, Flavia Agnes.

Majlis started in 1991 as a response to a growing need for lawyers with a gender perspective who are dedicated to evolving innovative legal practices to defend women's rights.

Majlis had started by providing legal support and guidance to women facing domestic violence to access their rights and pursue justice in courts. They further extended support to women and child victims of sexual violence as well as sexual harassment at the workplace.

They are also involved in training, research, campaigns, and publications on issues concerning violence against women and children. They work to demystify laws and make them accessible to judges, lawyers, prosecutors, police, NGOs and other government and non-government representatives and most importantly, to women themselves.

The broad categories of their programs are as follows:

Litigation

Rahat (for sexual violence, domestic violence, and social support)

Training and Awareness

Policy interventions and public campaigns

Networking

Publications on women's legal rights and Research

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founders
Founded in 1991
NGO Leadership

Audrey Dmello

areas of operation
Area of Operation
Area of Operation

Sexual Abuse | women

location of work
Location of Work
Location of Work

Maharashtra

last audited
Last Audited
Periodic Compliance Checks by GiveIndia

Renewals FY 19-20

Program Updates

Program Updates

23 January, 2023

Half Yearly Impact Report

#6

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Activities and work undertaken in the last 5-6 months

Milestones achieved: Provided Legal Support to more than 80,000 women and children in Maharashtra (primarily in Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban and Thane Districts) Provided Social Support to more than 1,00,000 women and children in Maharashtra (primarily in Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban and Thane Districts) *The beneficiaries are from the most marginalised sections of society across religion, class and caste. Capacity building programmes, awareness trainings, certificate courses State Police Officers: more than 30,000 Judiciary: more than 2000 Medical Officers: more than 2000 Protection Officers: more than 200 Child Welfare Committees: more than 100 Public Prosecutors: more than 100 Non State Colleges more than 100 colleges and more than 20,000 youth Schools more than 50 schools and more than 10,000 children and parents. CBOs more than 300 organisations and more than 50,000 social workers and community women. Formal collaborations with 20 NGOs and CBOs. Major events: On 12th Mar 2022 our founder Flavia Agnes received an Award of appreciation from the Millat Nagar Ladies wing Jamaat e Islami Hind on the occasion of International Women's Day. In Mar-2022 five students of BITSoM's (School of Management pioneering batch volunteered with Majlis to review our marketing communications and our MIS. Bangtan Boys, a South Korean boy band (BTS) organised a fundraiser ?No Means No? for Majlis to the cause of victims of sexual harassment on the ocassion of birthdays of their two members J Hope and Suga. We truly appreciate their effort. Between March 8 and 12, 2022 Purplle (an online womens store) tied up with Majlis to celebrate international women's day. Ms Yami Gautam the ambassador to the initiative is an actor who championed the cause of violence against women and children. Cities, regions, areas etc covered: Mumbai City and Suburb, Navi Mumbai and Thane. Number of people impacted directly/indirectly: During the reporting period we provided 56 First Response, 32 Social support and 5 Legal support to cases of Sexual violence.


Challenges faced and next steps

During the course of our work at the ground level while interacting with women in Courts, Police Stations, Protection Officers, etc. we identified important issues / hurdles faced by women when they access justice. However, on several occasions, our team has been confronted by those against whom issues have been raised, especially since we have to continue working with the same stakeholder to appear before the same judge. Sometimes, the judges ask our lawyers in court during the hearing of a case as to why we have approached the High Court with a complaint against her and that we don?t understand the problems she faces. We recognize that there can be a backlash, and our client?s interest may suffer, but overall, we see this as an important campaign issue. It is an on-going process and often it takes time to see a change. But on many occasions we have seen positive developments in response to our letters. Majlis met the principal judge of the Family court who is the chairperson of the DLSA and Manodhairya Scheme. We discussed issues ranging from the procedure of granting final amounts, funds under DLSA for JJ Act victim compensation. They asked us to compile a list of cases so he could look into the matter. Vision, goal and plan: Access to Justice for Women and Children who are victims of violence to continue our ongoing work..


Stories from the ground

Vishaka, was 16 years when she was raped by two of her brother's friends who lived in her vicinity. They had met her at her birthday party. The gruesome act was recorded. Vishaka was terrified so she did not speak to anyone. After the incident the third accused blackmailed Vishaka. Later Vishaka's brother came across the video which had gone viral and an FIR was recorded in April 2017. Then started the ordeal of the investigation and trial for this young lower middle class school girl. Majlis was referred this case in June 2017 and we have supported Vishaka and her mother through her many ordeals. In 2018 the third accused who was on bail started threatening Vishaka and her family. We had to go as high as to convince the DCP to apply for cancellation of bail in HC. High Court made it a time bound matter in 2018 and yet Vishaka's evidence kept getting postponed because of the cunning tactics of senior defence lawyers of the accused. Vishaka had forgotten a lot of things about the incident due to the delay so we had to go over her statement with her. When Vishaka felt uncomfortable about deposing before a male PP we brought this to the attention of the court. Finally her evidence was completed in 2019. But her mother and brothers were still pending. To our utmost shock during Vishaka's cross the CD which contained the video recording of the incident was blank. It was only because of the Majlis team's vigilance that we asked the court to use the photos that were available. Through the years Majlis has supported Vishaka with our social support. In 2018 Vishaka completed her 10th Std and she wanted to study Commerce. We helped her mother with financial help for her college fees. We have provided counsellors for Vishaka and her mother. The accused filed two FIRs against Vishaka's mother and brother to pressurise her to withdraw the case. We also had to intervene when her brothers started abusing Vishaka and her mother and at one point he even threw them out of the house. On 13th Jun 2022 exactly 5 years after we got the case, the judgement was passed and all accused were convicted. Accused 1 & 2 have been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and Rs. 10,000 fine. Accused 3 has been sentenced 2 years imprisonment and Rs. 5000 fine for blackmailing and asking sexual favor. Such cases often lead to acquitals or are termed false cases if seen from the outside. The support that Majlis team provided throughout the case, hand holding Vishaka and ensuring accountability of the system has led to the conviction. Vishaka is now an independent young girl working part time and pursuing her higher education. She has bravely traversed the journey from victim to survivor.


31 May, 2022

Help women fight sexual violence

#5

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Activities and work undertaken in the last 5-6 months

Majlis's team of women lawyers represents women in court in matters of domestic violence and sexual violence abuse across Maharashtra. We completed 30 years working in the field of women’s legal rights. i) On 25th November 2021, Majlis received the Tejaswini award 2021, honouring every little step taken towards Violence against Women and Girls on 25th November 2021 by Earth NGO. ii) On 5th December 2021, Ms Flavia Agnes, founder of Majlis received Laadli Media and Advertising Awards for Gender Sensitivity 2021. Areas covered - Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburbs Several people impacted - Legal Consultation - 40 victims, Social Support - 12 victims and Legal cases - 12 cases. Helped - i) ‘First Response’ - services include contact-building with the victim, understanding of the case, formulation of the legal and social support response and exposing the victim to the same and finally to provide support to the victim to access state and non-state stake holders’ facilities and benefits; ii) ‘Second Response’ - services to the victim covers subsequent direct police and legal action and remediation where the RAHAT team co-ordinates the case with all relevant state and non-state stakeholders; iii) ‘In-Court Support’ – services prepare the victim for the ensuing court procedures and proceedings, ensures that all relevant evidence and witnesses are present whenever required, provides legal assistance to the public prosecutor and Child Welfare Committees through case law research, drafting of arguments and assistance throughout and being present with her throughout the trial; iv) ‘Social Support’ – services include identification of the needs of the victim and her family, identification of and access to monetary compensation and other facilities available to the victim under the law and through non-state stakeholders and support for rehabilitation.


Challenges faced and next steps

Challenges faced - Violence has been found to have increased in the pandemic by almost 30%. Women and children are compelled to be near male members with limited to no freedom to go out. This has led to an increase in domestic violence/sexual violence at home. The problem during the pandemic has further worsened because the police/state stakeholders designated under the law are unable to speedily respond to cases. After all, the pandemic itself is overwhelming and they are under-prepared to tackle such issues. The trend in sexual violence against women and children is not declining, in the country and Mumbai city. The need, therefore, to offer legal and social support services to victims will remain as long as such sexual violence persists, the police-cum-judicial system remains a challenge to navigate at a personal/individual level and if victims continue to be uneducated, or un/underemployed and or dependent on a male partner/member for sustenance. We overcame the above challenges as below : i) We raised issues related to lapses in implementation of the law to ensure effective mitigating responses and participate in various committees /discussions and make recommendations to relevant authorities and stakeholders. ii) Monthly meetings with partner organizations working in the area of child sexual abuse. iii) Discussing challenges faced by them with stakeholders under the POCSO Act and IPC about cases of child sexual abuse. iv) Instilling confidence in victims through the working of our all-women team of experienced lawyers, social workers and administrators who are sensitive, knowledgeable and experienced to ensure that the system provides justice to victims.


Stories from the ground

PRARTHNA GUPTA (name changed): Is bringing legal justice to a neglected child sufficient to transform her? We wish to share Prarthana’s story as it led us to question the meaning of ‘justice’ to a sexually abused child and the limited role we were able to play in transforming her life, as her appointed Support Person. Prarthana was the eldest of the four children of a fruit and vegetable vendor. He earned sufficiently to provide for his family. Her younger brother pursued engineering and her younger sisters were in school. Prarthana suffered from mental retardation and was unable to make comprehensible sentences. Since the family failed to provide the special care needed to overcome her mental retardation, she soon became a school dropout and was reduced to domestic drudgery. When she was around 15 years, she was raped by a shopkeeper near her house when she had gone to buy some groceries. Perhaps the abuse occurred on more than one occasion. Though she suffered trauma due to this, she could not fully comprehend the consequences of the rape, and so she did not disclose the same to her mother. A few months later, the mother noticed that Prarthana had missed her periods, so she took her to a local doctor where her pregnancy of four months was detected. Prarthana was referred to a government hospital for an abortion and the matter was reported to the police. When her mother enquired with her regarding the incident, she explained through her actions and broken sentences about what had happened to her, but she could not name the accused, so the FIR was recorded as ‘rape by an unidentified person’. 10 Though the child was suffering from mental retardation, the police did not take the help of a special educator while recording the statement as is mandated under the POCSO Act and later during the trial the defence lawyer harped on this and pointed out the lacunae in investigation and argued that the statement was a figment of the imagination of the police and was not as per the statement given by the victim. But on behalf of the prosecution it was argued that since the mother understood Prarthana’s vocabulary and her actions, the statement was recorded as per her explanation. The police officer also explained that it had taken over 15 minutes to explain each question and to elicit an answer from her. Soon the accused was identified as the shopkeeper and Prarthana also identified him. After a few days, the matter was referred to Majlis Legal Centre by the Police Control Room. Soon thereafter our support person did a home visit to assess the vulnerability of the child and also to explain the trial procedures. We tried to get the child admitted into a special school where she could learn some skills or start studying, but the mother was extremely reluctant to send the child out after the incident. She repeatedly told us that she would send her to her village in U.P. and get her married. Thereafter they refused to take our calls. Three years later, when the case came up for a trial, we again contacted the mother to familiarize her and Prarthana with the court procedures. They approached our office, but when Prarthana began to speak, we just could not understand her language and the manner of her articulation. When we asked her how she spends her day she only repeated, ‘kapada, safai, khana pakana’ indicating that she only does housework. When asked about the incident she was able to convey by her action that she was disrobed, slapped and raped. On the first date of her evidence, the judge was unable to explain her questions to Prarthana and the judge could not understand Prarthana’s responses. We pointed out to the judge that Prarthana would not be able to give evidence without the help of a special educator. We stated that it was imperative that an interpreter was appointed to help the court and that this would also make Prarthana comfortable. So we were asked to identify a special educator and to inform the judge. This resulted in a further delay in the start of the trial, but this delay was critical in the interest of justice. The interpreter needed our help as she did not know what would be her role in court. So we helped her to understand the procedure to be followed in court and her role during the evidence. We also familiarized her with Prarthana’s language and articulation with the help of her mother. At this time the trauma suffered by Prarthana became evident as she continuously repeated the word “dukaan” (shop) at the end of every sentence. Soon the child became comfortable with the special educator and the special educator became familiar with the child’s articulation. We kept our fingers crossed. Since the Majlis Support Person had informed the court about the condition of the child, her mother, interpreter and the Support Person were permitted to attend the session which was held in the judge’s 11 chambers. By this time, Prarthana was 19, but through tests conducted during investigation, it was revealed that her mental age was between 4-5 years, so the oath was not administered to her as she could not understand its implications. She identified the accused in court and expressed her anger and disgust at him which was observed by the judge. When asked, she could also demonstrate how he had slapped her, disrobed her and penetrated her. The judge was convinced about the veracity of her deposition. In addition, the DNA of the aborted fetus matched that of the accused. This was cinching evidence. After Prarthana deposed and that too with confidence, we made several attempts to contact her mother to convince her to get Prarthana admitted to a special school where her condition would improve significantly. We convinced her mother that our organization would bear the cost of Prarthana’s education through our victim support fund. But her mother kept postponing the meeting and after a few months, we were informed that Prarthana had been taken to their far off village in Uttar Pradesh and was married. We were greatly disturbed by this news. The case ended in conviction and the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment as the judge wanted to send a clear message to society that no one else dare to take advantage of a mentally retarded child. We were happy that our efforts were rewarded with conviction. It was a clear legal victory for us. But it has left a bitter taste as in our opinion Prarthana was still vulnerable to abuse, despite her marriage. This case has highlighted the need for early safety awareness training to parents of mentally challenged children on the one hand and the other, the need to connect such parents with resources and support facilities that can train and or provide daycare services to mentally challenged children, particularly through their vulnerable adolescent and post-adolescent years.


23 March, 2021

Transforming Victims into Survivors

#4

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At the start of the lockdown, we did risk assessment of victims of sexual violence like the problems faced by victims, their ration requirements, medical needs, lack of access to government schemes, etc.
We coordinated with Child Welfare Committees on case work, problems faced by children during lockdown and effective methods for response. We coordinated with the Police to register NCs and FIRs for victims of sexual violence.
We Coordinated with Children’s Homes and Shelter Homes such as YWCA, Bal Anand, A.D. Bawla, St. Catherine’s Homes and Sneha Sadan on response to victims of sexual violence, case work and problems faced during lockdown. We helped the victims in providing shelter.  We referred women and children to counsellors as per their requirements. We coordinated with community organisations to provide ration and supplies to the victims of sexual violence outside Mumbai. We provided reading material to CWC for children in Children’s Homes during lockdown and similar material provided to individual children.
We also coordinated with hospital for medical check-up and follow up and also coordinated with psychologist.
We wrote campaign letters like delay in evidence / trail, complaint letters against police like refusing to file the FIR, not giving copy of the FIR, not filing NC against the accused who is on bail, refused to take cognizance of information provided by Shelter Home, Recalling victim multiple times to record the statement etc…



5 August, 2020

Riya Fauziya Sayeed – A story of courage

#3

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Riya Fauziya Sayeed – A story of courage



We received the case by one of the partner NGO schools wherein one of their students, Riya Fauziya Sayeed, aged 9 years confided in their counsellor of sexual abuse. When we went to the school and met the counsellor, she informed us that the child had suffered penetrative sexual assault at the hands of three different accused multiple number of times and that she was traumatized. One of the accused was her khala’s son (cousin). He would often call her and sexually abuse her at his house in absence of her khala (maternal aunt). One day this was witnessed by one of the neighbours. The neighbour then took advantage of the vulnerability of this child and sexually abused the child saying that she would have to do things that her cousin did to her. Yet another man in the locality took advantage and sexually abused this child. When the school first came to know about the incident, they immediately called the mother to school to inform her about the incident. The mother took khala to Riya’s school. The next day when we met the mother, she was extremely reluctant and refused to get an FIR filed as she said that she did not belong to Mumbai and after the death of Riya’s father, it was the khala who supported the mother. Riya’s mother did not want to go against the khala. After a long discussion with the school, we convinced the counsellor to file a complaint as the child had confided in her. After the filing of FIR, our biggest fear was that if the child was sent back home, she would be pressurized. It thus became imperative that we put her in a shelter home. Riya was sent in an emergency shelter home as it was late at night that the FIR filing was completed. The next day when we went to meet Riya for her counselling and preparation for her statement under section 164 CrPC, Riya broke down and cried incessantly as she was separated from her mother and her brother. She also missed her school a lot. Her 164 statement was recorded successfully but the next challenge was to shift Riya to a better shelter home where she could resume her education. One of the team members from Majlis was at the Child Welfare Committee to take an order for moving Riya to a shelter home providing education in English. Riya was taken back to the emergency shelter by the police as per the protocol. The police officer on her way gave Riya false hopes that as her statement was recorded, she could now go back home. Riya was happy but her hopes shattered when our team member took her to the new shelter. On her way it took a lot of counselling for Riya to come to par with this decision. The child said that because of somebody else’s fault, she was being punished. The mother when understood the intensity of the matter moved her residence to a safer place. We did a home study report and submitted the same to the Child Welfare Committee for restoration of the custody to the mother provided she signed an undertaking.Riya’s mother signed an undertaking that the child would continue studying at Akansha and we would do periodic home visits to ensure safety and welfare of the child. Riya is now happy as she resumed to go to the school as her brother. The three accused are still in judicial custody and their bail applications have been rejected by court. We further helped Riya and the school for Riya’s Manodhairya compensation to be released. Riya has now been granted Rs. 30,000 as part compensation.



22 July, 2019

#2

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Program Update



  1. Organised monthly meetings with partner organisations working in the area of child sexual abuse like our team and the Childline Foundation had a meeting on 5th March 2019. The agenda was to update case status and discuss strategies. Discussed challenges faced by them with stake holders under POCSO Act and IPC in relation to cases of child sexual abuse.

  2. On 18th March 2019, Majlis conducted Police Training on 'Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012' at Thane Rural.The aim was to facilitate capacity-building of officers and constables, appointed as members of the POCSO Special Cells at every police station. The focus of the training was to ensure that participants were acquainted with legal knowledge and best practices to be followed at the time of registration of FIR, recording of victim statement, and investigation. Participants were sensitized to ensure that the comfort, dignity and best interest of the victim is upheld at all times.

  3. On 5th January 2019, Santosh Shinde was invited to speak with Majlis team about the Juvenile Justice Act. He is member of the State Commission for Child Rights and former Child Welfare Committee member. He clarified misconceptions about the same in a lucid manner.


Story from the field



  1.    Sushma Khaire

    Sushma is a 17 year old girl who was brought to Mumbai by her paternal uncle after the demise of her mother in their native village. Her father suffers from a mental disability. Sushma along with her elder sister who suffers from speech and hearing impairment came to Mumabi to study and make their life at their paternal uncle’s house.
    Sushma’s matter was referred to us by the Powai Police officer who was at a road block as he did not understand how to proceed further with the matter due to contradicting statement. He found Sushma on Powai station, on enquiry she stated that she was sexually abused by two strangers. They filed an FIR and produced the child before the CWC as per the law. The Committee deemed it fit to keep Sushma in Dongri Shelter home as there were inconsistencies in her statements given before police and before the Committee. In one of her handwritten statements she stated that it was her paternal uncle who was her guardian in Mumbai used to sexually abuse her. Due to multiple contradicting statements, Majlis was appointed as a support person in the matter to talk to the child and figure out how we can help the child and police to proceed in the matter.


LEGAL INTERVENTION: After hours of counseling with the girl, she revealed in another detailed handwritten letter that the reason why she used to run away from the house was that the paternal uncle used to sexually abuse her and she wanted to escape from such torture. The next struggle was to convince the CWC to not restore the custody of the child to the family as paternal uncle was not added as an accused after two handwritten letters incriminating him. The daughter of the accused pretending to be Sushma’s sister would come before the CWC stating that she is her sister and is ready to take the custody of the child and provide Sushma the security she needed. As our social worker had done a home investigation, she brought to this to the notice of the Committee that it would not be fit to send the victim with them. This way we were able to stop the accused family to take back the custody of the child.
The next problem was to get the police to add the paternal uncle as an accused and start the investigation. On several summons from the CWC, police took no action. We then met the DCP of the respective zone and discussed the sensitivity of the issue. Within the next week, IO in the matter was changed and she conducted an unbiased enquiry. The accused was arrested and Sushma’s statement was recorded before the Committee.
Sushma even though said that she did not want to go back home but stated that she did not want to stay back in Dongri Shelter home either as she wanted to resume her education which was on hold since the time she moved to Mumbai 6 years back. It was a challenge finding an appropriate shelter home for Sonali as she had turned 18 by the time the statement was recorded.
Sushma now lives in Asha Sadan and has resumed her education from 4th Standard. She aspires to become a doctor. On the legal front, the chargesheet is now filed and the case in court.


Attached is a photo from our office


What is the expected total number of beneficiaries in this program for FY18-19?15
What is the number of beneficiaries/ benefits provided in this program, Year-To-Date13
Village/City/State where project is locatedMumbai City , Mumbai Suburbs
Total Budget for the project for FY18-19152300
Total Expenses for the project YTD152536

9 April, 2019

#1


Program Update


The co-founder of Majlis, Flavia Agnes was amongst the 13 Awardees of the Bharatiya Mavata Vikas Puraskar, 2018. She used this platform to speak about her work and experiences, and provided insights and suggestions that opened up newer portals to the immense possibilities that lie ahead, instilling belief and faith in our civilization.


Majlis organised a meeting with the Maulas and Muftis associated with Darul Qazas to collectively help Muslim women protect their rights in a swift and fair manner. The topics discussed were
Initiatives to build peace and harmony on the ground.
Interventions to secure rights of Muslim women and challenges faced.
Margilization, State Repression and Concerns of Muslim Women.


On the request of the Crimes Against Women Cell - Crime Branch, the org conducted region wise training for Police Officers and Staff of POCSO Special Cells across Mumbai.


They conducted 5 such trainings for each Region, North, South, East, West and Central. Each training was for 5 hours. The purpose of the training was to build the capacity of officers and constables appointed as members of the POCSO Special Cells at every Police Station. The focus of the training was to make sure that participants were provided with legal knowledge and best practices to be followed at the time of registration of FIR, recording of victim statement and investigation. The participants were sensitized to ensure that the comfort, dignity and best interest of the victim is upheld at all times.


Story from the field


Apar was referred by an ex client and from an ngo med AIDWA. She was married since years together and has 3 children from the wedlock. Her husband was abusive. On or around the year 2015 she was asked to leave the house and go to her village. During this time her husband along with his brother ensured that all her belongings were shifted and she was put on rented premise. When she returned she was shocked. However she adjusted. Though she stayed in the rented premise with her children and husband in the night, she stayed with her brother in law's family during the day.


When she approached Majlis in April 2018, her husband was on the verge of dispossesing her and surrendering his rights in rented premise. Further he told her that he shall ensure she does not get an entry into the matrimonial house too. She came to Majlis at this point of time. She was helped with her document evidence. Unfortutely the time was less as her case was urgent. They immediately moved the court in 2 days.Majlis convinced the Judge to atleast pass ad interim orders for her to secure her residence in the matrimonial house and restrain the husband and the brother in law from throwing her out. However they could not secure orders for rented premise as she did not have a proper proof of residence there.


Subsequently the papers reached the husband and he was shocked on receiving the case papers. He tried delaying the case. He kept his brother absent as the police did not give status report on service of summons on him. Majlis was able to convince court on his dilatory strategy and insisted that summons have been served on him as they live together and service on adult member of the family is valid. The court was convinced too. Majlis then pressed on his say and did not fall in the dilatory ploy. In the say he admitted the rented premise which made the case strong for induction on rented premise. Further he admitted he paid rent 4 lakhs as heavy deposit. This will be helpful for the maintence case too.


However the court changed and matter is before new judge.


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