‘The Flip’: Breakthrough’s Youth Conclave raising the issue of women’s safety & gender inequality throug h art!
New Delhi(28/09/2019): Breakthrough, a women’s rights organisation, convened a youth conclave- The Flip at National Bal Bhavan in New Delhi. The event provided a platform for scores of youngsters not just from Delhi but also Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to suggest creative solutions to create safer spaces and challenge as well as transform gender norms.
At the event, the social change actors shared their transformational journeys. Gracy, a student of Delhi University narrated her story of trauma when her mother was a victim of domestic violence until she decided to put an end to her ordeal after Breakthrough’s awareness program. Harshita from Ambedkar University narrated her story of breaking out of social norms and taking her own life decisions. Her parents accompanied her to the event. They attributed Breakthrough for the change. The jury members included author & poet Purva Bhardwaj, Abu Sufiyan, founder of Purani Dilli Walo Ki Baatein, Actor Pankaj Gupta, Director & Scriptwriter Kuldeep Kumar, Theatre personality artist Shilpi Marwah and writer, director Virendra Kumar.
On the occasion, Breakthrough’s CEO and President Sohini Bhattacharya emphasised on pop culture as an effective tool to create awareness on issues such as gender discrimination and breaking age-old social norms that often restrict women to step out and pursue their dreams. “Popular culture and other art forms help us to connect with people directly at the same time it motivates them to take appropriate steps. The success of our campaigns like Bell Bajao, Asking for It, Share Your Story and Trust Karke Dekho testify this fact” she further said.
During the event six shortlisted films were displayed, one of them was Article 19- the film revolved around the fundamental rights that have been bestowed to us by our constitution – however, the reality is that the voice of thousands of women and girls is still being stifled, their mobility restricted- all in the name of social norms.
