New Year updates

The EKTA team wrapped up 2013 in a whirl of activity, and the start of 2014 has been no different. Here's a brief summary on what we've been up to:

The 16 Days of Activism was a great success. Through our launch event, mobile van campaign and poster exhibition, we were able to reach over 25,000 people across 400 villages in Madurai and Cuddalore districts with messages on the reality and consequences of violence against women as well as information on existing laws and how to avail these legal protections.

Women reading the mobile van posters

Adding names to EKTA's two signature campaigns:
one focusing on ending violence against women, and the other on passing the Women's Reservation Bill.

 

Joining the national Time for 33 Percent campaign, EKTA organised a meeting of activists from across the southern states to develop effective strategies in order to finally bring about the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. This essential bill would implement a 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and in the state legislative assemblies, similar to the current reservation system in the Panchayati Raj Institutions. Following the meeting, participants and friends from Sangat celebrated South Asian Women's Day (25 November) a day intended to express solidarity among women across the region and demand peace, democracy and recognition of human rights.

Celebrating South Asian Women's Day

The Hindu published an excellent article covering some of EKTA's activities---including the 16 Days campaign, South Asian Women's Day and the push for the Women's Reservation Bill, which you can read here.

In mid-December, EKTA hosted a 3-day workshop on Gender Budgeting with the goal of bringing the process--which is a tremendous way to increase the gender sensitivity and gender responsiveness of the state, its budgets and priorities--to Tamil Nadu. Together, activists and academics received comprehensive training from EKTA and CBGA on how government budgets function and are made (at the state and national level), how gender budget analysis is done--both theoretically and in practice--and what the benefits of gender budgeting are. Participants also strategised on how to bring gender budgeting to Tamil Nadu. 

After ringing in the New Year, EKTA was honoured to receive the Best NGO 2013 Neeya Naana award by STAR Vijay TV. 

We also gathered with friends to celebrate Pongal in our Kodimangalam facility outside of Madurai. Much sweet pongal, sugar cane and laughter was shared by all. 

Throughout all this, EKTA has continued preparations for One Billion Rising on 14 February. OBR was a great success last year in Madurai, and we are looking forward to a successful event next month!