Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches ‘Nai Chetna 3.0’ – National Campaign Against Gender Based Violence in New Delhi

Launch of Nayi Chetna 3.0 – A National Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence
On November 26, 2024, a significant step towards combating gender-based violence was taken in New Delhi with the launch of Nayi Chetna 3.0, a national campaign aimed at addressing this critical issue across India. This initiative, led by Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, marks the third iteration of the campaign and focuses on raising awareness about gender-based violence while promoting women’s empowerment and equality.
During the launch event held at the Rang Bhawan Auditorium, Union Minister Chouhan articulated the government’s commitment to ensuring women’s economic and social development. He noted that gender-based violence is not confined to rural areas but is a significant issue in urban regions as well. Emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts involving various ministries, he expressed that the goal is to guarantee that every woman can live a life filled with dignity, respect, and self-belief.
A key aspect of Nayi Chetna 3.0 is the inauguration of 227 new Gender Resource Centres (GRCs) across 13 states. These centres are designed to offer survivors of gender-based violence safe spaces where they can access crucial information, report incidents, and receive necessary legal support. Each GRC acts as a vital support network, providing a space for validation and empowerment for survivors.
Alongside Shri Chouhan, Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi launched the #abkoibahananahi campaign during this event. This initiative stresses the need for collective action against gender-based violence. Smt. Devi highlighted the role of a vast network of 10 crore Self-Help Group (SHG) women as well as 49 women-focused schemes introduced by the Government of India. These efforts aim to promote gender equality, support survivors, and ensure they have access to national help lines, One-Stop Centres, and mechanisms for fast-tracked justice.
The event also saw contributions from prominent figures in rural development, including Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, and Shri Kamlesh Paswan, Minister of State for Rural Development. They both underscored the necessity of a holistic societal approach to effectively combat gender-based violence.
Insights from the previous Nayi Chetna 2.0 campaign were shared by Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary for Rural Development. He reported that the earlier campaign reached over 6 crore individuals and facilitated dialogue against gender-based violence through more than 9 lakh community-led activities. Building on this success, Nayi Chetna 3.0 encourages collective action with the powerful message “Ek Saath Ek Awaaz – Hinsa Ke Khilaf,” which focuses on creating safe and inclusive environments while tackling inequalities.
The extensive campaign organized by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) will unfold across all Indian states and Union Territories, continuing until December 23, 2024. With a vast SHG network supporting the initiative, it exemplifies a people’s movement towards ending gender-based violence.
An important development at the launch was the unveiling of an inter-ministerial joint advisory, co-signed by eight different ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Home Affairs, among others. This advisory signifies a commitment to a “whole of government” approach, harnessing the collective strengths of multiple departments to eliminate gender-based violence effectively.
As part of the event, three gender champions from Jharkhand, Puducherry, and Madhya Pradesh shared their transformative journeys from being victims to becoming leaders in the fight against gender-based violence. These personal narratives aimed to inspire others to act and engage in violence prevention efforts.
The core objectives of Nayi Chetna 3.0 include elevating awareness about all forms of gender-based violence, motivating communities to speak out and demand accountability, facilitating access to support systems to ensure timely assistance, and empowering local institutions to respond decisively to instances of violence.
The launch event witnessed robust attendance from various government ministries and departments, representatives from State Rural Livelihoods Missions, women from SHGs across the nation, Anganwadi workers, and partnering civil society organizations. The inclusive participation highlighted the campaign’s holistic approach, aiming to engage all sectors of society in the commitment to ending gender-based violence.
In summary, Nayi Chetna 3.0 stands as a comprehensive initiative aimed at not only raising awareness about gender-based violence but also empowering survivors and promoting social change. Through the combined efforts of government entities, civil organizations, and community participation, the campaign is poised to foster a safer, more inclusive society for women across India. The ongoing commitment to this cause showcases the government’s dedication to ensuring that gender equality and women’s rights remain a priority in national discourse and action.