Empowering Voices: Mukti’s Rights Showcase at Sundarban Fair 2024

On January 8, 2024, the Rights team organized a program on the central stage of the fair, unfolding in three phases.

A drama, titled “Amar Bari Konta?” (Which One is My Home?), featured engaging performances by VOICE and Shahosini members, educating the audience about women’s rights and the protective laws established in 2005. Amuna Mondal, Tamasi Roy, Sumita Halder, Ganga Mondal, Sharmila Mondal, and Mamoni Halder acted in the drama.

The subsequent segment focused on menstrual health and child marriage awareness, showcasing the efforts of women involved in the Rights project within Patharpratima blocks of the Amplifying Community Voices (ACV) project. They shared insights on their awareness campaigns, handmade reusable sanitary napkins, and a magazine addressing child marriage issues, distributed among the audience. The menstruation Cycle and related taboos/misconceptions were presented by Runa Bor, Debadyuti Sashmal and the adolescent team. The hazards of using synthetic sanitary pads were described by – Gita Bodhak, Kabita Bhandari, Mangala Bera and other women members. The impact of early child marriage was described by Priyanka and Kaberi Rui Das, Santana Halder, Subhojit Halder and other Adolescent girl and boy members of ACV.

The Shahosini Awareness Program on violence against women utilized small role-plays to highlight the various forms of abuse – physical, psychological, financial, and sexual. The Shahosini members emphasized their commitment to protecting women from such abuses. The role play on Physical violence was enacted by Aruna Halder, Padma Rani Purkait, and Sujata Jana. The one on psychological violence was enacted by Durga Gayein, Rita Banerjee, Renuka Halder, and Mousumi Naskar. The role play on Economic violence was performed by Atasi Baidya, Sanka Mondal, and Mamoni Majhi. Finally, the role plays on sexual violence featured Manchhura Paik, and Jabarani Baidya.

The program concluded on a harmonious note with an ensemble song and recitation by Malati Naskar, Bani Bhattacharya and her team.

The entire program was hosted by Shiba, Debjani, Manasi Halder, Kanak Baidya, Amuna Mondal and Sanjay.