Invitation to support Besharmi Morcha

Dear Friends, On a daily basis, a woman on the road does more than just walk to a destination in mind. She does that in an almost ready-for-battle state of avoiding the stares, hoots, haws, comments, gropes, grabs, and more advanced combinations from elements on the streets. All the while, being on a defensive best, because if she does run into any of these, she will have to explain why she’s been “inviting trouble”. Built on this everyday experience, sexual harassment and rape is at an all time high in our country. It has become instant nature for our authorities and our public to develop a very false perception that the victim puts herself in a place of trouble by dressing provocatively, maintaining a promiscuous lifestyle, alluding to “western” norms of living, etc. As a result, not only are we culturing wrong ideas about sexual abuse, we’re also allowing it to become a deeper part of our social fabric. And all along, we’re using wrong methods to combat this growing disease. SlutWalk as a movement started in Toronto, when a police officer as part of a lecture said that “women should stop dressing like sluts” if they don’t want to get raped. It is part of a worldwide grassroots movement challenging rape culture, victim-blaming, social judgment and working to end sexual and domestic violence. This movement has spread rapidly spread across the world . Recently the first slutwalk in India happened in New Delhi popularly known as “Besharmi March”. We felt, that the movement would be extremely relevant in a place like Bangalore, where sexual abuse takes place on so many levels on a daily basis. And of course, the fact that victims are blamed for “bringing it upon themselves” ever-so-often here in India added to our drive and belief in the legitimacy of the movement here in Bangalore. Supporters may wish to claim “slut” as a positive label of sexual freedom, ridicule the arbitrary nature of the insult, or do away with the violence of such language altogether, but ultimately we need to strategize as a group to end sexual violence. We believe that no matter who you are, where you work, what you wear, whom you choose to love, or what you said before: NO ONE has the right to touch you without your consent. We need to COME TOGETHER. As people from all gender expressions and orientations, all walks of life, levels of employment and education, all races, ages, abilities, and backgrounds, from all points of this city and elsewhere. We are asking you to join hands to make a unified statement about sexual assault and victims’ rights and to demand respect for all. However, we want to do much more than just a symbolic “walk”. Many of the events we had in mind would need the experience and expertise of people involved in fields ranging from gender study to child sexual abuse. Hence, we want to call for an open meeting, to seek your opinions and involvement in the endeavours we have planned out. Please check the attached event brief (both in kannada and english) for a list of the activities we had in mind, and do let us know a time that is most convenient. Time: 5 PM, Date: 3rd Oct, 2011 Venue: Alternative Law Forum, 122/4, Infantry Road (Opposite Wedding House) Bangalore 560001 (Nearest bus stop – Shivajinagar Depot) Contact no- 96860 18042 Warm regards,

Hi,
This is tejaswi from AIESEC. AIESEC is the world's largest student-run,non political,not-for-profit,voluntary, international organisation, and is present in over 109 countries. It is focused on providing a platform for youth leadership development, AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to be global citizens, to change the world, and to get experience and skills that matter today.To know more please visit http://www.aiesec.org/ or www.aiesecmumbai.com

We in AIESEC believe that there should be a day to celebrate and felicitate those children who have gone through so much and deserve so much more. So on the 21st of Novemeber at Somaiya grounds from 9am to 4:30 pm we are holding an event where children can enjoy and be themselves.We will have around a 1000 volunteers present who will take care of every need of the child. Also through this event we not only wants to make the children smile, but also want to help them showcase their talents through various workshops in dance, music,art etc

Food and refreshments will be provided by us. You can be assured that we will take great care of your children and that they will have an unforgettable day.My number is 9819610714
I have attached the proposal to our main event- Balkalakaar which is going to be held on 21st of November to this mail.
The venue for Balkalakaar is Somaiya grounds - off the Eastern Express Highway,near Sion
Date: 14th November 2010
Timings: 9 am-4 pm
Agenda
Ngos must reach the venue by 9 am.
9.30-10.00-opening ceremony
10.00 - 11.00 - art workshop
11.00 am - 1.00 pm - greeting card making competition
1.00pm - 2.00pm - lunch
2.00pm - 3.00 pm - music event
3.00pm - 4.00 - dance workshop
4.00-4.30 - prize distribution.

Celebrities are being approached to show their support and felicitate these children.
Media will also be covering the event

I hope that you will show your support by sending as your children for our event.
Plese let me know as soon as possible.

Waiting to hear from you

Thank You
Tejaswi Shetty
9819610714
Organising Committee Teamster,
Balkalakaar
AIESEC