Alliance Building and Collective Action

Swayam has long since played an extremely active role in the wider women’s movement which has helped shape laws addressing sexual and domestic abuse of women. Our well-established and well-respected advocacy role has enabled us to engage with various state agencies at international, national, state and local forums on policy issues relating to women’s rights and laws related to violence against women. This has included working collaboratively with other organisations and activists to drive the enactment and implementation of the Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act (2005), the Criminal Law Amendment Act (2013) and the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act (2013), amongst others. These processes involve us initiating debates and discussions with community women’s groups and other women’s organisations then representing their objections, concerns and suggestions to parliamentary committees, ministers and commissions. Furthermore, when working in the area of legal activism and policy reform, Swayam recognises that changing the law is not enough. Following changes in the law it is essential to disseminate information about the new policies and laws to various stakeholders and educating communities about their benefits. For example, following the enactment of the Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act (2005), Swayam continued liaising with government bodies, judiciary members and numerous key community members to ensure its effective implementation as well as creating awareness about the law amongst women in general.

Collective Action – Our Networks

Swayam collaborates and networks with civil society at the international, national, state and local levels to address discrimination and violence against women and girls. Swayam believes that it is important to join hands with other like-minded organizations and networks working on similar issues, if we are to bring about any significant social change. These links of solidarity make our campaign and policy intervention efforts meaningful. Swayam is a member of the following networks/initiatives:

• MAITREE is a network of NGOs, autonomous women’s organisations and women’s rights activists from West Bengal. Swayam has been an active member of this network since its inception in 1996.

• AMAN: ‘Global Voices for Peace in the Home’, is an international network initiated by Swayam to end domestic violence. The network was born in 6th December 2006 and today it has 150 member organisations across 18 states in India and collaborates on advocacy, capacity building and driving institutional change.

• BHABNA is a grassroots network started by Swayam, working to tackle child marriage, child trafficking, child labour and child school drop outs with organisations and individuals across West Bengal.

• SANGAT is a south Asian feminist network of women peace activists and trainers focusing on human rights, justice, peace and democracy. Swayam is part of the core team of SANGAT and conducts a two country 15 day training in collaboration with SANGAT and Prograshor.

• Forum to Engage Men(FEM) is an India widenetwork working with boys and men to make them responsible for a gender just and equitable society. Swayam is a member organisation of FEM.
• RACSHA is a network of organisations and individuals working for the prevention, recognition and healing of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. Swayam, at present, is part of the core team of RASCHA.
• Right to Food Network is an informal network of organisations, including Swayam, and individuals committed to the realisation of the right to food in India.