On November 25-26, 2024, Sky Social in partnership with Women and Child Development Department, Madhya Pradesh successfully hosted Mahila Suraksha Samvad, a state-level consultation dedicated to strengthening women’s protection, safety, and empowerment in Madhya Pradesh. The event, organized on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, aligned with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign. It served as a strategic platform for key stakeholders, including government officials, law enforcement agencies, youth leaders, legal experts, and community organizations, to come together and develop concrete solutions for addressing gender-based violence.
Uniting for Women’s Safety and Empowerment
A State-Level Consultation on Women’s Protection & Safety
Introduction
DAY 1: Stakeholder Consultation on Women’s Protection & Safety
Inaugural Session
The consultation opened with an inspirational address by Srishti Pragat, Founder, Sky Social, who underscored the urgency of collective action to combat gender-based violence. She emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and systemic reforms to ensure a safer environment for women and girls. The session was graced by Ms. Nirmala Bhuria (Minister, Women & Child Development, MP), Ms. Rashmi Arun Shami (Principal Secretary, WCD), Ms. Sufiya Farooqi (Commissioner, WCD), and Ms. Pragya Richa Shrivastava (ADG, MP Police). Their addresses highlighted the role of law enforcement, survivor support systems, and policy interventions in addressing violence against women. The need for convergence between multiple departments and strengthening accountability was a key theme of discussion.
Session 1:
Strengthening Community Policing
A Collaborative Approach to Women’s Safety
Speaker: Dr. Vineet Kapoor, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, MP
Dr. Kapoor presented an insightful session on community policing as a tool for women’s safety, focusing on successful initiatives like Srijan and Police Didi. He emphasized how active collaboration between law enforcement and local communities leads to better reporting, prevention, and redressal of gender crimes. Through real-life case studies, he demonstrated how community-driven models can improve trust and responsiveness in policing. He further discussed how law enforcement agencies can incorporate gender-sensitive training to improve their engagement with survivors of violence. He stressed the importance of localizing police outreach programs to make them more accessible and impactful, ensuring that women feel safe and supported when reporting crimes.
Session 2:
Panel Discussion on Addressing GBV
through Government Convergence & Stakeholder Responsibility
Panelists:
- Mr. Suresh Tomar, Joint Director, WCD – Spoke on Mission Shakti & One Stop Centers, highlighting how government initiatives are bridging protection gaps.
- Mr. Vaibhav Shrivastava, SP Cyber Cell & Joint Director, CERT MP – Addressed cyber safety, online harassment, and digital law enforcement mechanisms.
- Ms. Joyatri Ray, Policy Specialist, UN Women – Stressed the importance of gender budgeting to ensure resources are allocated effectively for women’s safety.
- Mr. Anurag Sonwalker, State Program Officer, UNFPA – Focused on targeted interventions for women at different life stages.
- Ms. Richa Mishra, Senior Advisor, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance – Discussed human trafficking and the role of policy-driven interventions.
- Moderator: Srishti Pragat, Founder, Sky Social
This panel focused on breaking silos between government agencies and fostering inter-agency coordination. The discussion centered around policy implementation, improving survivor support services, and leveraging technology for better protection mechanisms.
Session 3:
Understanding Gender-Based Violence
and Developing Action Plans for Local Implementation
Facilitator: Kumud Singh, Founder, Sarokar
The third session of Day 1 of the Mahila Suraksha Samvad was led by Kumud Singh, the Founder of Sarokar, a prominent social organization dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. The session, titled “Understanding Gender-Based Violence and Developing Action Plans for Local Implementation,” aimed to raise awareness about the societal roots of gender-based violence (GBV) and provided participants with the tools to reflect on their own personal biases, which can sometimes inadvertently perpetuate harmful practices.
Session 4:
Strengthening Support Systems for Survivors
The Role of One Stop Centers
Speaker: Mrs. Kratika Vyas, Child Development Project Officer, WCD
Mrs. Vyas provided a detailed overview of One Stop Centers (OSCs) as critical support hubs for survivors of gender-based violence. She explained how OSCs offer legal aid, psychological counseling, shelter, and medical support, ensuring survivors receive holistic assistance under one roof. The session highlighted the challenges in implementing OSCs effectively, including awareness gaps, accessibility issues, and the need for stronger interdepartmental collaboration. Mrs. Vyas emphasized the importance of proactive outreach, ensuring survivors know where to seek help.
Session 5:
Psychological Impact of
Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Facilitator: Gargee Kanhere, Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Ex-AIIMS, Delhi)
This session focused on the deep psychological trauma survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) experience and the critical need for mental health interventions. Ms. Kanhere discussed common psychological effects, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and self-blame, which often prevent survivors from seeking justice. She emphasized that societal stigmas surrounding GBV further isolate survivors, making professional intervention essential. She highlighted the importance of trauma-informed care, encouraging law enforcement officers, social workers, and community leaders to adopt sensitive approaches when handling survivors’ cases. Participants learned about coping mechanisms, the role of peer support, and how mental health services should be integrated into One Stop Centers (OSCs) and helplines.
Session 6:
Enhancing Women’s Safety through Rapid Response Mechanisms
Insights from SP Dial 100
Speaker: Beena Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP), Dial 100, MP
SP Beena Singh delivered a powerful session on the role of Dial 100 as a real-time emergency response system for women in distress. She elaborated on how the integration of technology, law enforcement, and community participation ensures swift intervention in cases of violence, harassment, and abuse. Through case studies, she illustrated successful interventions, where Dial 100 played a crucial role in preventing crimes and rescuing survivors. She also stressed the importance of community awareness, ensuring that women and girls across MP utilize the helpline effectively.
Session 7:
Understanding Women Protection
Laws and Policies
Facilitator: Dr. Raka Arya, Professor, National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
Dr. Arya provided an in-depth legal perspective on India’s legal frameworks for women’s protection, covering the BNS, POCSO Act, Domestic Violence Act, and IT Act. She explained how survivors can seek justice through legal channels, emphasizing the role of protection officers, law enforcement, and the judiciary in enforcing these laws. A key discussion point was the gap between legal provisions and their on-ground implementation. Dr. Arya stressed the need for better training of law enforcement officers and stronger legal awareness at the community level to ensure that laws serve their intended purpose. Case studies were shared to illustrate both successes and challenges in women’s legal protections.
Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways from Day 1
Day 1 concluded with a participatory reflection session, where stakeholders shared their key learnings and insights. Participants emphasized:
- The importance of convergence between law enforcement, government departments, and community organizations.
- The need for stronger survivor-centric services, including mental health support and legal aid.
- Building community trust in police initiatives like Dial 100 and Police Didi.
- Raising awareness at the grassroots level to bridge legal and protection gaps.
Stakeholders agreed to collaborate beyond the event, ensuring that the discussions translate into real-time action in Madhya Pradesh.
DAY 2: Youth-Centric Consultation on Women’s Safety
Day 2 of Mahila Suraksha Samvad began on a powerful note with an inspiring inaugural session, graced by esteemed dignitaries and youth representatives who reaffirmed the pivotal role of young people in addressing women’s safety and gender-based violence. The session brought together some of the most influential voices in policy-making, advocacy, and social empowerment, ensuring a meaningful start to a day dedicated to youth engagement.
The session was inaugurated by:
- Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Rajendra Shukla, who highlighted the state government’s commitment to creating safer spaces for women and emphasized the need for youth to be at the forefront of this mission.
- Ms. Sufiya Faruqui, Commissioner, Women and Child Development Department, who spoke passionately about the role of government initiatives in fostering safer communities and how collaboration with young leaders can enhance these efforts.
- Mr. Sunil Jacob, State Head, UNFPA, who shared global and local perspectives on youth advocacy and its importance in combating gender-based violence.
- Ms. Srishti Pragat, Founder of Sky Social, who set the tone with her compelling address, emphasizing the organization’s vision to empower youth as changemakers and bridge the gap between policy and action.
Session 1: Panel Discussion on Youth as Agents of Change
Panelists:
- Lolichen Pullemplavil (UNICEF, Child Protection Specialist) – Spoke on youth-led child protection initiatives.
- Shilpi Agnani (Jhpiego, Policy Advisor) – Highlighted health and safety initiatives for young women.
- Eshita Nimje (Cyber Expert) – Discussed cyberbullying, online safety, and legal protections.
- Ashi Chouksey (Athlete, Asian Games Medallist, 2023) – Shared insights on gender equality in sports.
- Madhu Bodh & Lalit Bighane (Youth Leaders, Arambh) – Shared community-driven safety initiatives.
Moderator: Varsha Raikwar, RJ, Radio Bundelkhand
This panel underscored youth-driven solutions to gender-based violence, encouraging young participants to use social media, advocacy, and peer education to foster a safer society for women.
Session 2: Strengthening Support Systems for Survivors – The Role of One Stop Centers
Speaker: Dr. Vanchna Singh Parihar, Women Empowerment Officer, WCD
Dr. Singh Parihar expanded on how One Stop Centers (OSCs) provide medical,
legal, and psychological aid to GBV survivors. She highlighted real-life
cases where OSCs successfully intervened, emphasizing the role of trained
professionals and community outreach in making these centers accessible
to women in distress.
The session also addressed how OSCs can integrate digital reporting
mechanisms to reach rural and semi-urban women, ensuring that every
survivor, regardless of location, can access support.
Session 3: Psychological Impact of GBV
Facilitator: Gargee Kanhere, Clinical Psychologist
A continuation from Day 1, this session focused on self-care techniques, resilience-building, and community-based mental health support. Participants engaged in interactive discussions about overcoming trauma and helping survivors regain confidence and independence.
Session 4: Understanding Technology-Based Gender Violence
Speaker: Yogesh Pandit, Cyber Expert & State Legal Consultant, MP-CERT
With digital crimes against women increasing, this session focused on cyberstalking, revenge pornography, financial fraud, and online harassment. Mr. Pandit discussed legal provisions under the IT Act and BNS, empowering participants with preventive measures and reporting mechanisms to combat cyber violence. He provided practical tips on digital safety, including privacy settings, secure transactions, and detecting online threats, ensuring youth are better equipped to protect themselves and report cybercrimes.
Session 5: Measures at the University Level for Women’s Safety
Speaker: Dr. Deepal Mehrotra, Associate Professor, Jagran Lakecity University
Dr. Mehrotra spoke about the urgent need for stronger safety policies in universities, including anti-harassment committees, anonymous reporting mechanisms, and self-defense training programs. The discussion emphasized creating safer educational spaces for young women, ensuring a violence-free learning environment.
Session 6: Utilizing Social Media for GBV Awareness
Facilitator: Jaskaran Manocha, Social Media Expert
This session highlighted how social media can be leveraged for gender justice activism, from awareness campaigns to digital storytelling. Jaskaran Manocha shared successful online movements, encouraging youth to use social platforms for advocacy and policy change.
Future Action Plan
The Mahila Suraksha Samvad 2024 laid a strong foundation for multi-stakeholder collaboration and youth-driven action to combat gender-based violence (GBV). Moving forward, Sky Social and its partners are committed to implementing key recommendations from the discussions:
1. Strengthening Survivor Support Systems
- Expansion of One Stop Centers (OSCs): Ensure OSCs are accessible in rural and urban areas with enhanced legal, psychological, and medical services.
- Capacity Building: Train law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and community workers to provide trauma-informed support.
- Mental Health Interventions: Integrate counseling services into government programs addressing GBV survivors’ emotional well-being.
2. Enhancing Cyber Safety and Digital Protection
- Cyber Awareness Campaigns: Develop state-wide digital literacy programs to educate women and youth on cyberstalking, financial fraud, and online harassment.
- Stronger Reporting Mechanisms: Advocate for simplified complaint procedures with quick response teams within the Cyber Cell and law enforcement.
3. Increasing Community Engagement in Women’s Safety
- Strengthening Community Policing: Scale up initiatives like Police Didi and Srijan to bridge gaps between law enforcement and local communities.
- Youth-Led Safety Initiatives: Establish college-based GBV awareness cells and encourage young leaders to create community-driven solutions.
4. Advocacy for Policy Implementation and Gender Budgeting
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Facilitate regular inter-departmental meetings between WCD, police, legal departments, and civil society organizations.
- Resource Allocation: Push for gender-responsive budgeting to ensure adequate funding for women’s safety initiatives.
5. Social Media & Public Awareness Campaigns
- Leverage Digital Platforms: Use social media influencers, content creators, and digital campaigns to normalize conversations on women’s rights and GBV prevention.
- Engaging Men & Boys: Foster inclusive discussions to promote healthy masculinity and gender equality.
The Mahila Suraksha Samvad 2024 was more than just a dialogue—it was a call to action. Over two days, stakeholders, policymakers, law enforcement officials, community leaders, and youth advocates came together to identify solutions and commit to long-term change.
From community policing and cyber safety to legal protections and survivor support, the discussions highlighted the power of collaboration in ensuring a violence-free society for women and girls. The engagement of youth leaders and digital influencers also reinforced the role of innovative approaches in tackling gender-based violence.
Sky Social remains committed to translating these discussions into tangible action. By scaling up survivor support systems, expanding digital safety initiatives, and strengthening policy implementation, we aim to empower communities and create lasting change.
Together, we move forward toward a safer, more just, and equal society—one where every woman and girl can live without fear, with dignity, and with the freedom to thrive.
