End Violence Against Girls & Women

• To raise awareness to stop and end violence against women with disabilities
• Urge all members of society to play their part in halting this pandemic that affects one in three women and girls globally
• Rise for Equality, Inclusion, Freedom, Mobility and Safety
• Celebration of life, Celebration of Diversity and above all Celebration of Womanhood!

Samarthyam, WWDFA, co-partnered with Raahgiri to “Reclaim our cities to make them safe and accessible for all” Promote Accessgiri and Stop Violencegiri

1st Feb 2015, New Delhi

On 1st Feb 2015, Samarthyam launched OBR with a difference at Raahgiri. ‘Raahgiri’ day provides citizens with an opportunity to reclaim their streets, connect with their community and celebrate their city. The concept is inspired by the ‘Ciclovia’ event held weekly in Bogota, Colombia and now popular all over the world by different names like ‘Open Streets’ and ‘Summer Streets’.

19 March 2015, Gurgaon

At Raahgiri, the gathering between 6-10am at Connaught Place was special yet inclusive, because it involved predominantly participation on the theme by Samarthyam- “Promote Accessgiri and Stop Violencegiri”. Members of Women with Disabilities India Network and DPOs actively participated in the campaign.

Azadi Ki Udaan- photo corner attracted thousands of youngster’s to connect with campaign and their commitment to end domestic violence. There was also a pick and paint T-shirt corner with commitment to end violence against girls and women with disabilities.

To promote ‘Accessgiri’ and reclaim the streets and public places to get universal accessibility and independent mobility, there was a snake and ladder game for people to participate and take back the experience why accessibility is essential for all.

Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India Thawar Chandra Gehlot, and the Minister of State in the Department, Krishan Pal Gurjar, witnessed the activities at the event. With Samarthyam, SMRC, WWDIN, Sangat, Jagori, TARSHI, CREA and people of all ages, backgrounds, diverse disabilities joined in big numbers to reclaim our cities!

Feminism In India was its official digital partner and organized its online dissemination and coverage. Creative Thrust group with their 12 professional award winning photographers in India photographed the event.

The event was a huge success with the Snake & Ladder game and photo-corner with T-shirt printing snatching the largest crowd, above 3000 people. People connected to the cause and talked about accessgiri and stopping violencegiri.

6th Dec 2015, New Delhi

Accessgiri in Raahgiri was a crowd puller again. Strong hands can stop violence- print and pick a T-shirt and snake and ladder show connected with the masses to raise awareness on accessible and safe city spaces for girls and women with disabilities.

Testimonials

In their own words, these were some of the reactions from the crowd:

• We are touched and moved. It’s awesome show at Raahgiri. We want more Accessgiri!
• I came for jogging. Saw the crowd and forgot everything. Called my family and played snake and ladder game for 1 hr 20 min. God bless. Never had such happy time with my family and we respect women’s spaces in the cities.
• Great show. Accessgiri rocks. We have been trying for so many years for inclusive environment. This was real inclusion.
• I am moved by the presence of such big numbers to commitment towards ‘end violence’. My hands are strong enough to call the society to RISE against violence in public spaces and end domestic violence.
• Gosh- what a mesmerizing experience. My kids loved the T-shirts printing.