In its collective bid to end stigmatisation of women and children who are victims of sexual violence, the Dignity March, comprising survivors of rape and sexual violence, arrived in Bhopal on Monday after striding through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Ranchi, Bihar and Lucknow.
With its arrival in Bhopal, the 10,000 kilometre March is gaining strength as thousands of participants proceed towards ending the culture of shame and fear among victims, urging citizens to psychologically support the victims.
The Dignity March is rooted in a national online survey conducted by Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan.
The survey, 'Speak Out!' was conducted to determine the intensity of sexual .violence against women and children and to bring out the voice of the survivors.
The survey revealed that an alarming number of people have faced sexual violence, but 95% of the incidents of sexual violence against women and children are not reported, and the 'victim' is shamed and is under constant fear of stigmatization by the society. Especially, in case of children, most crimes go unnoticed and there is negligible conviction which leads to impunity among culprits.
The survey also reveals that the government data of incidents of sexual violence against women and children is less valid as only 2% of incidents have been reported to the Police.
On its arrival in Bhopal, Dignity March organized an event to discuss the situation around Sexual Violence and Rape against children and women in Madhya Pradesh and India.
During the event, Ashif Shaikh, Convenor, Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan, Dignity March along with survivors of rape and sexual violence, highlighted the important role of reporting cases and further advancing the cause.