Introduction

‘What Works For Prevention of Violence Against Women in India’ by UN Women India

‘What Works For Prevention of Violence Against Women in India’ by UN Women India

Nidhi speaking on a hand-held mic with a plugged in earphone and a laptop in front of her. Behind is a partial view of the blurred event poster and Rituparna Borah can be seen sitting next to her.

Nidhi is sitting alongside five other panelists on a raised stage. Behind them is the event poster for What Works For Prevention of Violence Against Women in India. One of the participants is speaking.

UN Women India organised a multi-stakeholder workshop on What Works For Prevention of Violence Against Women in India on 2 November 2022 in New Delhi. Founder and Executive Director Nidhi Goyal was a part of a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) panel discussion on intersectional approaches to prevent Gender-Based Violence.

Other panelists included Rituparna Borah (Queer rights and feminist activist, Founder at Nazariya: QRFG), Shampa Sengupta (Disability and gender rights activist), Julie Thekkudan (Feminist activist and South Asia consultant, Equality Now), Abirami Jotheeswaran (Human rights activist, NCDHR), Kanta Singh (Deputy Representative, UN Women India) and Susan Ferguson (Representative, UN Women India).

She talked about the importance of recognising the unique challenges faced by disabled women due to the intersectional nature of the discrimination and stigma faced by them. Nidhi spoke about the prevention of violence against disabled women and the specific barriers in accessing information and justice, as well as ways to further inclusion in existing initiatives.