Million Minds

Silent or Violent

You can make
a difference

One out of every

3 Women

have been a victim or witness to a violence.
You can make a difference

What is Million Minds

In the words of our founder, Chennupati Vidya, Gandhian Social Change Activist, India. Vasavya Mahila Mandali

“To make ONE step is difficult to change mindset for gender equality, if that happens it is easy to take ten steps and trigger change in attitudes and behaviours… Time is now to take that one step.”

Women and children constitute more than 75% of the world population. Day in and day out there is insecurity among women and children due to increased abuse and violence. They are also part of this world to live with dignity and respect. To reach Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we all must commit to change in the mindsets of patriarchy that brings enabling violence free environment.

Covid-19 has shown how global crises disproportionately impact women and children. The systems of protection and assistance for victims of gender-based violence were often inadequate beforehand, and the pandemic has made their limitations even more flagrant. Aware of these vulnerabilities, there is a need to integrate the gender specificities of torture and other ill-treatment and encourage the adoption of a gender lens by State actors and all relevant human rights mechanisms. During COVID lockdown and its continuation of limitation of physical distancing, still judiciary not functional and many other service providers who has to do relief and rehabilitation of victims of torture are not being back to place.

Preventing and responding to violence against women and children requires that efforts systematically address risk and protective factors at all four interrelated levels of risk: individual, relationship, community, society.

One Step in changing Mindsets of oppressing and suppressing of women due to masculinity and safety for our children. Committing for positive attitudes and behaviours for upholding dignity and respect for women and children is very essential. It should start from I, ME, MYSELF not pointing at others

Why Million Minds

Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM) www.vasavya.org is a Gandhian woman led secular social transformation organization from India working with communities since last 51 years will lead the Million Minds Initiative. VMM collaborates with different organisations and associations: UN, Bilateral, International, Civil society and business.

We at Vasavya Mahila Mandali, believe in the power of Million Minds, image the collective power of Million minds. The objective of this Million Minds initiative is to develop a platform to build Global community to support survivors of violence – women and children.

Worldwide one crisis helpline number in all countries for ease of victims to report

All country governments to frame action plans, allocate budgets to address shadow pandemic: violence against women and children: Prevention, redressal, rehabilitation.

Goal

Million Minds, One at a time

One Million globally commit for Dignity of women and children to help reach UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Our Partners

Did you know? Facts that matter

Women and girls represent ½ of the world population in lockdown (WHO)
15M incidents of Gender Based Violence are expected for every 3 months that lockdowns continue
UNODC estimates that, in 2017 alone, approximately 78000 individuals (64% female/36% male) were killed by intimate partners or family members, pointing towards a far greater number of victims being beaten, raped, threatened, and humiliated in their own homes every day.
1 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or by any perpetrator in their lifetime.
It has been estimated that, depending on the country, between 15 and 70% of the female population, and a worldwide average of 30% of women, have suffered intimate-partner violence at some point in their lives, and that between 50 and 75% of children worldwide (up to 1 billion) experience physical, sexual, or emotional violence at home. These staggering numbers are exacerbated by the fact that the exposure of victims to domestic violence generally continues for many years and often lasts an entire lifetime.
The most visible aspect of torture against women is sexualised torture. While men and boys can also be victims of sexual crimes, rape and other forms of sexual violence are used more consistently against women. Victims of torture traditionally face a wide range of obstacles when they file a complaint or request reparation. But with sexual torture, victims fear the stigma and refrain from seeking justice. Consequently, torture against women is often unacknowledged and the culprits go unpunished.
Another issue that needs to be highlighted is the issue of child torture which is still prevalent in many places in the world and child refugees are most often tortured. Girls are often also victims of sexual torture and these instances are often not reported. Children experience various forms of torture such as physical torture, mental torture, and emotional torture. Often, children are tortured to punish communities or their parents. Many children suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anger, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and symptoms of anxiety following experiences of torture.

188 countries have imposed countrywide closures
10-50% increase in domestic violence helpline calls in some countries
Target 16.2 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to “end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against, and torture of, children”. Evidence from around the world shows that violence against children can be prevented.
Globally it is estimated that up to one billion children 2-17 years have experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence or neglect for the past one year.
Contrary to war, however, domestic violence is still largely considered to be a “private matter”, a social taboo to be dealt with at the discretion of the perpetrator. As long as a substantial part of the world’s population is oppressed, abused and even murdered with impunity by their own family members, the promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals will remain a far cry from reality. Consequently, though domestic violence may occur in the private sphere, it must be regarded as a global governance matter of inherently public concern.
Women are seen as objects in their own homes, of beatings, rape, incest, and traditional practices such as honour killings, dowry related violence, genital mutilations, son preference and early marriages. Certain groups of women are particularly vulnerable to violence, such as those belonging to a minority, indigenous women, refugees and women living in situations of armed conflict.
Children who are refugees, part of conflicts, labourers, or impoverished are at the greatest risk of being tortured and it is important to identify these risk factors and provide services for these children. By becoming more knowledgeable about the plight of child victims of torture, people can become more effective at participating in international efforts to address the issue of child torture, help children at greater risk of being tortured, and address those who carry out the torture of children.

What are different forms of abuse / violence?

Physical
Sexual
Verbal
Social

Financial
Psychological
Emotional