IN THIS EDITION

Sports for Empowering

Girls

Gender Mainstreaming In

Foreign Policy

Gender, Water and

Climate Change

Digital Literacy Program

UN CSW 67

Women's Day:

WALKATHON

#CSRat40

Celebrating the Unstoppable Rise of Indian Women !

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dr. Ranjana Kumari

Director

Dear Supporters, Colleagues and Friends,

It is with immense pride I share with you the remarkable journey of the Centre for Social Research

(CSR India) in our efforts to empower women across the country. Our work has been centered

around uplifting marginalized women in both rural and urban areas, empowering them through

training, skill development and improving their social and economic status.

At CSR, we believe in the transformative power of research, development, and training to create

tangible change. We have successfully impacted the lives of countless women nationwide. From

spearheading the establishment of the National Commission for Women to advocating for crucial

laws like the Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, we actively collaborate with

government bodies. Our contributions extend to committees addressing POSH, Trafficking, and

PCPNDT, where we work towards effective implementation.

Furthermore, CSR has assumed a leadership role in tackling the issue of women's representation in

politics and policy-making. A notable achievement in this domain is our recent publication of a

comprehensive report on gender mainstreaming within India's foreign policy. Additionally, we have

consistently stood as a steadfast source of support for women who have been victims of domestic

violence, exemplified by our unwavering solidarity with Nirbhaya's parents in their pursuit of justice.

As a distinguished member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and

holding consultative status, CSR takes great pride in its longstanding commitment to organizing

forums at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for over a decade. Moreover, we have

proactively embraced the evolving challenges posed by technology and social media, forging

strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Meta, Twitter, ASCI, GRB, Bumble,

Teleperformance, and other prominent tech companies. These collaborations have enabled us to

make significant contributions to the safety and well-being of women and children. Through our

tireless efforts, we have successfully trained and nurtured hundreds of young professionals who

have emerged as prominent gender advocates in various national and international organizations.

As we commemorate this significant milestone, it is important to pause and pay tribute to our

esteemed colleagues, Rekha Dubey and Sumitra Devi, who are no longer with us. Their unwavering

dedication and tireless efforts played a pivotal role in establishing a robust community foundation

for women's empowerment. We remember and honor their invaluable contributions. Additionally, I

extend my heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional board for their unwavering support throughout this

journey.

As we gaze towards the future, our unwavering commitment to women's empowerment remains

resolute. We will persist in our endeavors to foster equal opportunities, advance gender equality,

and promote the holistic well-being of women, not only in India but also on a global scale. I extend

my deepest appreciation to our devoted team, our steadfast partners, and the broader community

for their unwavering faith in our mission. Together, we can forge a world where every woman is

empowered to flourish and achieve her utmost potential.

SPORTS FOR EMPOWERING GIRLS

As part of CSR's commitment to gender empowerment,

we have launched the 'Sports for Empowering Girls'

initiative in selected districts of Delhi-NCR in

collaboration with the Australian High Commission since

March 2023. Despite challenging gender ratios, we

believe that sports can serve as an empowering tool to

promote gender equality. The project is currently being

implemented in Ghaziabad and Faridabad districts,

where we aim to harness the power of sports to unlock

the true potential of girls and break societal barriers.

The official launch of the momentous event took place

on the 20th of April at Mahamaya Stadium, Ghaziabad

and was attended by esteemed dignitaries from the

Australian High Commission as well as dedicated

representatives from the CSR. The event brought

together enthusiastic girls and exceptional sports

coaching staff, creating an electrifying atmosphere filled

with energy and anticipation.

The first phase of the program involved the selection and

enrollment of talented girl players who can benefit from

our initiatives. These athletes receive continuous

counsellng and motivation throughout the program.

Additionally, we recognize that proper nutrition is vital for

athletes to excel and achieve their goals. Unfortunately,

female athletes often face challenges in meeting their

nutritional and energy requirements. In line with our

efforts to empower girls in sports, CSR India, with the

support of our partners, aims to bridge this gap by

providing nutritional supplements to young girl players

as part of our initiatives.

We firmly believe that sports have the ability to empower

girls and transcend societal barriers, enabling them to

unlock their true potential.

WOMEN SKILL DEVELOPMENT

The Centre for Social Research (CSR) joyfully

commemorated the successful completion of the

Office Assistant course with 42 women trainees in

two batches under the Women Skill Development

(WSD) Program. This accomplishment was made

possible with the support of The Asia Foundation

(TAF), which has been certified by the MEPSC.

CSR is committed to empowering women through

financial independence, and we strive to provide a

minimum of three employment opportunities per

trainee. Over the past four years, we have

successfully trained more than 2000 individuals and

continue to enroll trainees for upcoming batches.

We are happy to share that CSR in collaboration with the Orange Foundation inaugurated our

new Digital Literacy Lab. This initiative aims to support women who have limited access to

digital resources, educational attainment, and also women survivors of domestic violence.

We have initiated two batches, each consisting of 25 students, who are undergoing

comprehensive training in digital skills and courses.

The most important skill in the world of the twenty-first century is digital literacy. Only if we are

all technologically educated will we be able to live calm and pleasant lives in this digital age.

Only individuals with digital literacy are eligible for the majority of work prospects.

In addition to the technical

training, the students also receive

education in various aspects of

digital safety, holistic

development, and gender

sensitization.

DIGITAL LITERACY PROGRAM

GENDER, WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The Gender, Water and Climate Change (GWCC) Department is thrilled to share the

significant progress made during the past quarter in the project "Building Women's

Leadership in Water Conservation: Alwar, Rajasthan." This project, generously funded by

the German Embassy, is driven by the overarching objective of achieving the Sustainable

Development Goals of Gender Equality (SDG-5), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG-6), and

Climate Action (SDG-13) through a women-centered approach.

On the auspicious occasion of World Environment Day, 5th June 2023, we were honored to

witness the inauguration of the CSR Alwar Office by esteemed delegates from the German

Embassy. The presence of the GWCC team and the German Embassy delegates marked a

significant step forward in our joint commitment to environmental sustainability.

Delegates from the German Embassy also visited Dadhikar village and engaged in a fruitful

discussion with Women Self Help Groups' (SHGs) leaders and Elected Women

Representatives (EWRs). Topics such as gender equality and economic empowerment of

women took center stage, highlighting the importance of these issues in achieving

sustainable development.

In the 3rd week of June, we commenced the next phase of our project with an extensive

Needs Assessment survey in three blocks of Alwar. A team comprising members from Delhi

CSR, field coordinators, and technical experts from Alwar diligently visited numerous

villages in Umren, Kishangarh Bas, and Ramgarh blocks. Their purpose was to engage with

women in these communities and gather crucial data related to water scarcity and

management. Approximately 150 women, including SHGs leaders and EWRs, actively

participated in the survey, enabling us to gain valuable insights into their water-related

challenges.

As we move forward, we remain committed to realizing our vision of empowering women,

achieving gender equality, ensuring clean water and sanitation, and combating climate

change. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the

environment.

EFFORTS TO CURB VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

For over four decades, the Crisis Intervention Centre at the Centre for Social Research has been

at the forefront of supporting women. Our unwavering commitment to women's well-being

drives our tireless efforts in providing vital support and intervention services. With a wealth of

experience and expertise, our dedicated team has been instrumental in empowering countless

survivors, restoring their confidence, and helping them regain control of their lives. To combat

the digital violence against women, we stand firm in our resolve to put an end to non-

consensual picture-sharing, ensuring a safer and more inclusive digital landscape for all. Our

mission is to transform lives and create a future where every woman's rights are respected and

protected.

If you or your someone you know is facing any kind of violence, contact us at:

+91 011 46131929 , [email protected]

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

The Gender Training Institute (GTI) at the Centre for Social Research has been a leader in

gender training for over 30 years, catering to corporate, development, and public sectors.

Our training sessions are dynamic and engaging, incorporating a rich blend of theory, audio-

visual tools, interactive activities, and lively discussions. We delve deep into the intricacies of

gender issues, enhancing comprehension and developing practical skills that have a tangible

impact.

We have successfully conducted training sessions with esteemed institutions such as Christ

University, Noida; RBI; Delhi Police and many others.

Open the door to inclusivity! Collaborate with GTI on a transformative journey to foster gender

equality, diversity, and empowerment within your organization or sector. With our expertise, we

can assist you in creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Get in touch with our team to learn more about our sessions.

GENDER SENSITIZATION AND POSH TRAINING

A feminist foreign policy approach entails

carefully examining the consequences of

foreign policy decisions on different genders

and actively promoting women's

participation in peace and security

processes. This inclusive approach enables

decision-makers to develop policies that are

more equitable and impactful, benefiting all

segments of society. Moreover, by

integrating gender perspectives throughout

foreign policy processes, we ensure

responsiveness to the needs and concerns

of diverse populations, enabling us to create

a fair and just world.

In light of these insights, we urge the G20 countries to join the growing movement towards

adopting a Feminist Foreign Policy. By demonstrating their commitment to this approach, G20

countries can play a vital role in creating a more equitable and just world. Together, we have

the power to build a future where gender equality is not merely an idea but a tangible reality

for all.

Let us work hand in hand to create a brighter future, where gender equality thrives and

benefits societies worldwide.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN THE FOREIGN

POLICY OF INDIA

At CSR, we have recently conducted extensive

qualitative research on the gender mainstreaming

of Indian foreign policy. Our findings emphasize

the significance of adopting a feminist foreign

policy as both a moral obligation and an effective

strategy for fostering peace, security, and global

prosperity. Gender-based violence and

discrimination persist as pervasive issues that

undermine individuals, communities, and entire

nations. By prioritizing gender equality and

empowering women in foreign policy decision-

making and implementation, we can address the

fundamental causes of these challenges and

ensure that every individual has the opportunity to

realize their full potential.

UN CSW 67

India's UN representative Ruchira Kamboj also graced

the event, and appreciated CSR India's effort of

promoting digital safety awareness is commendable,

and their efforts can help to create a safer and more

inclusive digital environment for women and girls.

By hosting a walk-a-thon to raise

awareness about women's

leadership in politics and

administration, the Centre for

Social Research (CSR India)

aimed to highlight the

importance of women's

participation in these spheres

and to encourage more women

to take up leadership positions.

The walk-a-thon also serves as a

platform to engage with the

community and promote

dialogue and action towards

gender equality and women's

empowerment.

As we all know India is going for

an election next year 2024, CSR

also used this opportunity to

raise awareness about the

importance of women's

participation in politics and to

mobilize support for the women's

reservation bill.

CSR had the honor of being one of the very few

organizations selected to host a parallel in-person event

at UN CSW67. CSR curated a global panel discussion on

the topic, 'Right to an Inclusive, Safe and Secure Digital

Existence for Women and Girls'. Human rights and child

rights abuse, online abuse and hate, fake news and

misinformation, and respect for human dignity were

some of the topics discussed during the session.

Renowned speakers like Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Anne

Collier, Swati Bhise, and Tami Bhaumik were on the

panel discussing their experiences.

WOMEN'S DAY

WALKATHON

@CSR_India

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