Chingsanghoih Guite/ The Hauterfly
Chingsanghoih Guite/ The Hauterfly
Today, 10th of December is the day that has been chosen as a day to celebrate across the globe, annually, to honor United Nations General Assembly‘s adoption of Human rights. Known as the Human Rights day, this day marks the presence and establishment of rights that allowed people to tackle problems of poverty, deprivation, exclusion and a lot more as issues that are important. And so, in a way to commemorate that day, a group of Arts College students in Lucknow took to streets to paint the walls with graffiti to highlight a human rights issue close to their hearts.
Looking forward to sensitising public on this day that marks the importance of human rights, female students from the College of Arts and Craft decided to raise their voice by way of painting graffiti, urging adolescent girls to speak out if their family pressures them to marry at an early age against their wishes.
Their message loud, clear and impactful read, ‘Bano Nai Soch’ and ‘Marzi bina shaadi nahi’ which translates into ‘Being the new thinking’ and ‘Don’t get married without your will’ respectively. Headlining this move ahead of Human Rights Day was second year BFA student Shivalika Yadav, who along with five other students joined hands with Dastak Manch and Oxfam India to encourage women to raise their voice against forceful marriage.
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the World on December 10. On this day in the year 1948, the General Assembly of United Nation adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.#Odisha #OdishaNews #OmmcomNews https://t.co/y9xAhqWCVe
— Ommcom News (@OmmcomNews) December 10, 2020
An issue that is ever so pertinent in a country like ours where women in most places are still treated as a burden that need to be married and sent off as soon as they come of age, it is important that a woman’s rights be talked about.
On Human Rights Day – Graffiti effort to sensitise adolescent girls about early marriagehttps://t.co/mglIGtRR5V
— Hindustan Times (@HindustanTimes) December 9, 2020
Shivalika Yadav commented on the matter and said, “We made graffiti on the flyover pillars near the New High Court building as many people commute along that stretch of the road. There is a traffic signal and people stop there. We felt our creativity will get eyeballs and will be helpful in sensitising the public.” And their initiative, that too with a new, youthful and creative spin made us hopeful for change, yet again.
This was a part of a 16-day campaign ‘Stree – Paksh’ launched by Dastak Manch and Oxfam on November 25 along with a lighting of 16 diyas – that was meant for a symbolic representation of the effort to highlight gender-based issues through various ways during the course of 16 days. Knowing how badly a woman’s life gets impacted if she’s forced into a marriage, these girls volunteered because they felt close to the cause as women.
Here is hoping, the efforts of these girls helps in bringing about the change that our country so desperately needs. After all, women can no longer be ripped of their choice and consent, and that word needs to be spread around!
