Department of Women and Child Development 
‘Awaaz Uthao’ campaign was launched in Delhi on 8th March 2011 on the occasion of International Women’s Day, to address the safety concerns of Women and Girls in the city. The initiative involves formation of women and youth collectives (groups) at the grassroots level, to address the issues of women safety at public places and support women in distress including situations of sexual harassment / assault and rape. It is envisaged that these collectives would act as an effective instrument of change in their respective communities and bring about perceptible improvement both in societal mindset towards gender issues and the physical environment.
Objectives :
The overall objective of this project is to make Delhi safer for women by enhancing capacities of communities and its agencies to prevent and respond to violence against women. It also aims to empower women and girls to exercise their basic human right to enjoy public spaces and freedom of mobility.
Implementing partners :
The Department of Women and Child Development releases grant-in-aid to Samajik Suvidha Sangam / Mission Convergence (a society formed by Delhi Government) for managing Gender Resource Centre and ‘Awaaz Uthao’ projects in Delhi for empowerment of women and also monitors it’s functioning. ‘Awaaz Uthao’ project is being implemented through 50 selected G.R.Cs / partner NGOs spread over eleven districts of Delhi, under administrative control of Samajik Suvidha Sangam / Mission Convergence. In addition, NGO - Jagori is also on board as a partner for providing training on gender issues, safety audits and laws related with sexual abuse.
Activities being organized under the project :
The collectives play a crucial role under ‘Awaaz Uthao’ programme like conducting safety audits to identify key security issues pertaining to women in the community, addressing them through Stakeholders Committees comprising of representatives of Departments like PWD, Delhi Police, Education, Transport etc., involving local men, women and youth in collectives, organizing awareness generation programmes like public meetings, wall magazines, safety walks / rallies etc. to sensitize people on gender issues, having regular interaction with local agencies and government offices and working towards bringing about attitudinal and behavioral changes favorable towards women.
Achievements :
At present ‘Awaaz Uthao’ project is being implemented by 50 GRCs. 100 women safety collectives have been formed and their number would go up to 200 by the end of this financial year. 25 stake holder committees have been formed and their number is likely to reach 50 during the current financial year.
Contact Details:
Department of Women and Child Development,
Government of N.C.T. of Delhi,
1-A Canning Lane, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi – 110001.
Contact number: +91-11-23070378
Mission Convergence / Samajik Suvidha Sangam,
Government of N.C.T. of Delhi,
B-Wing, First Floor, Vikas Bhawan-II, Bela Road, Civil Lines, Delhi-54.
Contact numbers :-
Mission Director +91-11-23813181
Deputy Director +91-11-23813179
For more details, official website of Samajik Suvidha Sangam / Mission Convergence can be accessed at missionconvergence.org