Every 16 minutes in India, a woman or girl becomes a victim of rape or attempted rape, according to government data. This harrowing statistic is just the tip of the iceberg in a nation grappling with widespread gender-based violence that cuts across socio-economic strata.
From domestic abuse and dowry deaths to sexual harassment, human trafficking, and honor killings, the pervasive culture of violence against women and girls in India is a stain on our social fabric. What's worse, these crimes often go unreported and justice remains elusive for survivors.
At the Trayo Foundation, we believe that real and lasting development is impossible when half of society lives in constant fear and their fundamental rights are violated. The cycle of gender-based violence is both a cause and consequence of systemic gender inequalities that impede the progress of communities.
This toxic cycle begins at birth, with deep-rooted societal preferences for sons leading to female feticide and infanticide. Girls who survive face discrimination in access to nutrition, healthcare and education. Child marriages rob them of their childhoods, while dowry demands fuel domestic violence and exploitation.
The normalization of misogyny, from sexist jokes to objectification in media, perpetuates rape culture. A lack of legal awareness, victim-blaming mindsets, shoddy investigations and low conviction rates embolden perpetrators. And poverty, lack of economic opportunities and patriarchal power structures keep women trapped in abusive circumstances.
We cannot turn a blind eye to this brutal reality that impacts millions across our nation. Violence against women is a human rights violation that not only devastates individuals and families, but imposes a staggering economic cost through lost productivity, healthcare expenditure and restricting women's economic empowerment.
Ending this vicious cycle requires comprehensive action across multiple fronts - reforming laws, transforming patriarchal attitudes, ensuring justice, providing survivor support services, and addressing root causes like gender discrimination.
At Trayo, our efforts span legal literacy camps to educate women on their rights, self-defense training, operating shelters for domestic violence survivors, economic empowerment programs, and community engagement to challenge regressive mindsets. We partner with grassroots organizations, law enforcement and policymakers to strengthen prevention and protection frameworks.
But this battle cannot be won without society's collective commitment. We must all speak out against misogyny, objectification and regressive mindsets. We must raise our sons to respect women and our daughters to know their rights. Communities, authorities and institutions must take zero tolerance stances.
Join us in being the voice for India's daughters, mothers and sisters whose cries for safety and justice remain unheard for far too long. Support our mission to create a nation where public spaces, homes and minds are free from the scourge of gender violence. A nation where every woman and girl can live with dignity, free from fear.
