The GOPIO Women’s Council recently hosted a webinar aimed at raising awareness and discussing actionable solutions to combat domestic violence, featuring speakers from multiple countries.
The Women’s Council Wing of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) hosted a significant webinar on February 23, titled “Understanding Action Against Domestic Violence.” This virtual event attracted speakers and participants from the United States, Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand, fostering a global dialogue on a critical issue affecting communities worldwide.
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham welcomed attendees and underscored the organization’s commitment to advocating for the Indian diaspora. He emphasized the importance of addressing violence against women, which remains a pressing concern for the diaspora community. Dr. Abraham called for the involvement of service provider organizations globally to combat this issue effectively.
GOPIO Women’s Council Chair Charu Shivakumar introduced the session, highlighting its purpose: to raise awareness and provide solutions for domestic violence. The webinar aimed to educate participants and inspire action against this pervasive issue, featuring a panel of experts who shared insights and recommendations.
The first speaker, Ms. Zoya Salim Kara, Team Leader for Ethnic Services at Sahaayta in Auckland, New Zealand, discussed the concept of “family harm,” a term used in New Zealand to encompass the broader impact of domestic violence on family members. She introduced tools such as the Power and Control Wheel and the Wheel of Equality, which help assess and educate individuals about healthy versus unhealthy relationships. Zoya also addressed specific challenges faced by Indian communities, including honor killings, dowry-related violence, and the misuse of immigration status as a means of control. She stressed the need to differentiate between arranged and forced marriages and highlighted cultural variations in expressions of anger and violence.
In her presentation, Zoya noted the prevalence of domestic and elder abuse in New Zealand, emphasizing the importance of legal rights, community support, and available resources, such as the 0800-refuge number. She called for increased awareness and action against violence, regardless of gender or cultural background.
GOPIO Women’s Council Co-Chair Kritilata Ram from Mauritius shared insights on local responses to domestic violence, including a rapid response system involving police and support agencies. Boston native Ms. Kumu Gupta discussed her work in the U.S., which includes a phone drive program for victims of domestic violence and efforts to raise awareness about deepfake images. GOPIO Health Council Co-Chair Aparna Hande, a survivor and educator, intended to share her personal journey and discuss the signs and symptoms of domestic violence, but her presentation was interrupted by technical difficulties.
Aparna did manage to share her experience of overcoming domestic violence and her subsequent efforts to assist other survivors. She described how she created a model family that has sheltered 25 individuals over the years. Aparna emphasized the necessity of breaking the silence surrounding domestic violence and creating safe spaces for survivors.
Co-Chair Jayashri Chintalapudi, a former lawyer in India and current entrepreneur, recounted a tragic story of a friend who was murdered by her husband due to domestic violence. This poignant narrative underscored the urgent need for awareness about the various forms of abuse and the dangers associated with leaving an abusive relationship. Both Aparna and Jayashri called for proactive measures to prevent domestic violence and support survivors, with Aparna advocating for GOPIO’s involvement in these efforts.
The meeting focused on raising awareness about domestic violence and exploring actionable steps to support victims. Ms. Rachana Srivastava shared a poem that highlighted the importance of addressing domestic violence, while Charu emphasized the need for education and collaboration among organizations. Kumu suggested that Indian consulates list organizations that assist victims of domestic violence on their websites, while Ms. Shweta Goyal, a researcher in Australia, discussed developing frameworks to support multicultural women facing stigma.
Participants engaged in discussions about domestic violence prevention and intervention services for the South Asian community in the United States. The service organization Saahas from Southern California explained its community-based initiatives aimed at preventing domestic violence, which include home visits, financial empowerment, and cultural sensitivity training. GOPIO Associate Secretary Vatsala Upadhyay, a former president of My Family Services in the Detroit area, highlighted the need for better collaboration among organizations and suggested providing information about available resources to immigrants during visa processing.
The conversation underscored the importance of culturally competent services and data-driven approaches to address domestic violence within the South Asian diaspora. One participant shared her experience as a survivor, emphasizing that abuse often continues even after separation or child custody arrangements. She criticized organizations for not adequately addressing the serious issues faced by survivors. Another survivor, Vasu Pawar, shared her story of enduring abuse while working in the U.S., stressing the need for organizations to take survivors’ problems seriously and to address various forms of abuse, including financial abuse.
The meeting also addressed domestic violence affecting senior women and discussed strategies to support victims. GOPIO Life Member Suman Kapoor from New Zealand highlighted the necessity of education and empowerment in tackling such situations. Charu and others emphasized the importance of maintaining trust and connection with victims. The group discussed the possibility of creating a fund under the GOPIO Foundation to support women’s causes and the need for a global network of women’s representatives.
Looking ahead, the Council has planned a Women’s Conference Webinar on March 14 to mark International Women’s Day, focusing on the theme “Diaspora Women Scaling Educational, Political, Social and Corporate World.”
For more information on GOPIO, contact Sid Jain at +1 (201) 889-8888 or email Secretary@GOPIO.net.
This article is based on information provided by GlobalNetNews.