RapeRoko campaign reaches out to children, slum dwellers

NEW DELHI: As part of its month-long anti-rape campaign 'RapeRoko,' the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) plans to reach out to school children as well as women from unauthorised colonies and slums.

Students from various educational institution, including Delhi University, have joined this campaign, which was launched by DCW chief Swati Jai Hind to protest against the sexual harassment of a DU student in a moving bus.

Through DCW's intervention, an FIR was registered in the matter at Vasant Vihar police station.

On Friday, hundreds of students and other protestors marched through Connaught Place in central Delhi, along with members of DCW.

Various teams of DCW volunteers are worked through out the day campaigning against rape in Dellhi.

"Our teams are taking the campaign to various places, like important markets, shopping malls and crowded places, such as Connaught Place, Hauz Khas Village, among others," said an official, adding that teams are also undertaking a signature campaign.

The DCW chief, along with the core group, visited unauthorised colonies and slums of the city, as well as Delhi government schools to interact with the children.

"We think that children should be reached out to on a priority basis, as the trend shows that children are the worst victims of such cases.

"General enlightenment on sexual harassment is lacking in our system," said an official.

She added that "our campaign or target is not gender-biased and we think that same kind of enlightenment is needed for the boys."

"We are also talking with boys of schools and telling them about various issues. A general sex education in a child-centric manner can stop such acts," she further said.

The Commission now plans to take the campaign to the streets of Delhi through nukkad nataks (street plays).

According to DCW, the street plays will be conducted till March, 8 to raise awareness amongst the people and move them to join the movement to fight sexual crimes against women and children.

"After the nukkad natak is performed, volunteers of the 'RapeRoko' campaign will speak to the crowd and discuss with them the demands of the movement,"an official said.

Jai Hind said, "Real change will occur when the government and teh society awaken against the evil of crimes against women and children. The nukkad nataks are a great way of reaching out to people and raising awareness."

"We should no longer remain quiet. When people throng the streets on March 8, change is bound to happen," she added.