Even after numerous accomplishments in almost every social sphere, women, ironically appear to be at second rank, be it family, workplace, society or nation. The newspaper headlines calling women as social heroes or shining stars fail to mask the harassment and crime stories against them. Thus, empowerment continues to remain a major procedural concern when addressing the subject of status of women. Analysing and addressing the issue of women empowerment and related concerns, Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) under the banner of its gender equality program – Santulan is conducting UNITY OF WOMEN workshops in Delhi & NCR to build solidarity amongst women and carve them as change agents who will raise voice against injustice. After conducting the aforementioned workshops in Faridabad, Gurgaon and vishnu garden area of west Delhi, another workshop was conducted on February 27, 2016 in Vikaspuri area of west Delhi.
1. The workshop began with a welcome note by DJJS representative Ms. Neha Bhardwaj. Agenda of the workshop and need to conduct such workshops, particularly in Delhi NCR was also narrated.
2. The first hour of the workshop revolved around the subject of Holistic Empowerment and covered topics like modern day slavery, good touch bad touch and gender stereotyping.
3. Sadhvi Deepika Bharti Ji, disciple of Shri Ashutosh Maharaj ji – the founder and head of DJJS and program coordinator of Santulan emphasised that sex-selective abortions is not an isolated problem and presented over vicious cycle of crime and violence against women.
4. The topic of ‘Good Touch Bad Touch' was taken through a skit and touched the sensitive chord of the women attendees acknowledging the existence of such crime.
5. Post the skit, Sadhvi Ji shed light on gender stereotyping that begins right from birth of girl child and sticks to her till the end of her life.
6. Dr. Rashmi, an expert gynaecologist and surgeon from lotus hospital, Hari Nagar took over the second session over physical health of women. She delivered an informative lecture on gynaecological as well as maternal health of women and concluded it with a Q&A session with participants.
7. Not just limiting to physical health, mental and psychological health issues were also addressed through a Pranayam session with a brief on its need and importance, by DJJS representative.
8. In the last hour of the workshop, Sadhvi ji shared her master Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji's vision to carve 21st century Vedic women with another presentation. Supporting it with case studies, she explained that economic, social, educational and political empowerment do not constitute to holistic empowerment. She laid emphasis on the distinct technique of spirituality that empowers the women at soul level and thus completes the cycle of empowerment in her personality.
9. Towards the end of the workshop, two of the santulan beneficiaries shared their journey of holistic empowerment after being initiated into spirituality.
10. The workshop benifitted around 70 women and girl participants from all walks-of- life and was concluded with a speech by Councillor Ms. Amrita Dhawan. High tea was served at the end in the exhibition area that highlighted santulan’s activities across the nation.
