CM stresses need to sensitise people against domestic violence

New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) Chief Minister Sheila Dikshittoday called for concerted efforts to sensitise people in thecity about the need to curb the menace of domestic violenceagainst women.

"We cannot function in isolation and all of us musttake the responsibility to curb this menace of domesticviolence against women," Dikshit said, launching a campaigncalled ''Bell Bajao!''.

The campaign is aimed at sensitising over a millionpeople in the city on the need to take action to stop violenceagainst women.

The campaign, initiated by an NGO named Breakthrough,will run in Delhi till March 8 and reach people through videovans that will engage and educate communities on the need toprevent domestic violence, and will also spread awarenessabout the provision of Domestic Violence Act.

The van, with its distinctive audio-visual screeningswill be accompanied by street theatre performances, puppetshows, opinion polls and interactive games.

''Bell Bajao!'' is a call to both men and women to worktowards changing cultural norms and hold violators liable andbring domestic violence to a halt," said Mallika Dutt,President and CEO of Breakthrough.

Elaborating on the campaign, Sonali Khan, IndiaCountry Director, for Breakthrough, said, "The Bell Bajaocampaign encourages communities specially men and boys to takeaction against domestic violence and implement the Protectionof Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA)."

"We have sensitized people across the country, throughmass media, community education and mobilization activitiesworking with multiple stakeholders and hundreds of civilsociety organizations," she said.