Jansirani, a social activist, mustered courage to leave her husband after facing sexual and domestic harassment for months. She now works with under-privileged women and educates them about sexual violence in families.
She, along with five others, were recipients of the 7th edition of Nelathayi Awards, instituted by Swaraj, ActionAid and Gandhi Bhavan, for standing up against sexual violence. The awards were given away on Thursday.
During the felicitation ceremony, the women recollected their battle against gender-based violence, how they stood up against and shattered stereotypes.
Another awardee Mangala R., a theatre activist, uses theatre as a tool to educate the masses about sexual violence against sex workers. She was pushed into sex work by her male friend.
“Why are women who do sex work looked down upon, while the men who seek them are always protected? What is the use of celebrating women in public, when they are subjected to emotional and physical trauma in private?” she asked.
The other awardees are Jayalakshmi, an activist with Swaraj Sanghatane; Lilli, a theatre activist; Prema J.K. from Karnataka Aarnya Moola Budakattu Samudayagala Okkuta; and Rajeshwari, leader of the Garment and Textile Workers' Union.