Abhaya

The tragic and brutal death of the 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat of gender-based violence that women face. This heinous act was not driven by sexual desire, but rather a violent expression of power and control. We are committed to ensuring that no other woman in West Bengal suffers such a fate.

Bay Area Prabasi, in partnership with Mukti West Bengal, is launching a comprehensive and free service for women in West Bengal who are experiencing gender violence, emotional abuse, or domestic abuse. We dedicate this initiative to the memory of Abhaya, and through grassroots support and policy advocacy, we strive to create a society where all women can live free from fear and violence.

1. Helpline:
   • A culturally sensitive and accessible first point of contact for survivors.
   • Immediate crisis intervention, safety planning, and assistance with basic needs.
   • Peer counseling, emotional support, and referrals to specialized services.
2. Safe home: Temporary shelter or housing program that provides a secure and supportive environment for women escaping domestic violence, human trafficking, gender violence or other dangerous situations.
3. Legal Advocacy:
   • Confidential legal counseling and guidance tailored to each survivor’s unique situation.
   • Assistance with legal documentation, navigating the legal system, and securing legal representation
4. Economic Empowerment:
   • • Personalized coaching and workshops to equip survivors with the skills and knowledge to achieve financial independence.
     • Support in identifying career goals, securing stable employment, and managing personal finances.
     • Fostering self-sufficiency and confidence in survivors as they rebuild their lives.

Together, we can create a safer and more just future for all women in West Bengal. Abhaya’s legacy will live on through our unwavering commitment to supporting survivors and preventing gender-based violence

We want to launch these initiatives at the earliest and are requesting individuals and organizations across the United States to join us and help in making this initiative successful. Please help to raise the initial funds to kickstart the program here.

About the two partnering organization:

Bay Area Prabasi (San Francisco, Bay Area)

Founded in 1974, Bay Area Prabasi is a membership-based non-profit socio-cultural organization of the Bengalis of the San Francisco Bay Area.Our mission is to promote and contribute to charitable, religious, literary, and educational activities with particular emphasis on the heritage of Bengal.

For more information visit our website: www.prabasi.org

Mukti: (West Bengal, India)

Mukti is a non-profit organization primarily focused on improving the lives of underprivileged people in the West Bengal region of India.

Their initiatives encompass a variety of areas aimed at sustainable development in the following areas: 

Healthcare

Socio Economic Development

Education

Disaster Recovery

Environment

For more information visit our website: https://muktiweb.org/