SAFAR as an emerging women's group committed to work for Gender equality and peace in the state of Gujarat, India.

SAFAR is a team of activists having more than a decade of experience in the field of combating Violence against women. We have been concerned about women's status and increasing violence against women in the society. On one hand Gujarat is considered progressive and prosperous state, while its women that makes 50% of population faces continual threat at domestic level for their very existence. Issues like Female feticides, Decreasing sex ratio, Dowry / unnatural deaths, Son preference and many other forms of gender discriminations about which many organizations are active in the field, yet any joint efforts scarcely happens.

Society in general is fragmented in terms of gender, economy, religion and caste & creed. Nationally and internationally a sense of hatred is seen growing in the mindset of people that draws the line thicker between the oppressor and the oppressed. The human created hierarchy has been transforming from exploitations to bloodshed. The hatred and disparaging of men towards women, majority towards minority, rich towards poor, stronger towards weaker can lead to an imbalanced society not worthy of human habitation.

The irony is that minority women have to fight at three different fronts and prove their identity at three different levels, being an Indian, a Muslim and a Woman.

The priority is to strengthen minority women's well as NGO's and women's rights activist's capacity in the area of seeking gender justice at domestic level and achieving appropriate dignity as per established human rights standards in the society. They should also be made aware of their constitutional rights while negotiating for peace and justice processes with the state machinery during conflict as well as non-conflict periods.

Some Project Activities Include Gender Solidarity Consultation, Gender Justice and Human Rights Workshops, Social Awareness Raising Workshops etc.

• Short Term Objectives :

  It is expected that Minority Women and grassroots activists addressed during the implementation get aware of their rights and initiate the process of asserting themselves at domestic level as well as in public sphere. Project is designed to sensitize individuals and organizations towards challenges women face during and after conflict period.

• Long-term Objectives :

  The groups addressed in this project are intended to analyze their belief and attitudes towards the minorities in general and minority women in particular. They are also expected to change not only themselves, but also people around them.This attitudenal change would lead towards peaceful co-existance.

Click here for more information on the Proposed Budget

Issue based information:

• Interview with Suraiya Tabassum, a researcher. Source: The South Asian