Bhubaneswar: The US Consulate General Hyderabad in collaboration with the Social Welfare Agency and Training Institute (SWATI) has launched the “Empowering Women through Legal Literacy Campaign in Odisha.”
The US Consulate General in Hyderabad is funding the effort and granted $33,900. The programme will help grassroots women leaders across Odisha to access laws and institutions facilitating them to address issues of gender-based violence and gender equity.
“The United States and India are committed to working together to combat gender discrimination and prevent violence against women,” said Public Diplomacy Officer Jonathan Orr, speaking at the launch event for the grant.
“This project will directly benefit 600 participants in all the 30 districts in Odisha, empower them to act as advocates to support women and girls who are suffering from gender-based violence and discrimination.”
The handbook and tools for its use will be provided to women’s advocates in workshops in all districts of Odisha. Women who would be trained in the workshops will be able to write petitions and police complaints to ensure that grievances are addressed. In addition, women will be trained in social media intervention to reinforce their fight for gender equality and combat discrimination, harassment, and exploitation.
