The efforts of ‘We Can’ to enhance public awareness on gender discrimination and violence against women took huge strides in Rajasthan from January 30 to 4 February 2007 when a mass awareness rally was organised by campaign allies to cover six districts. The mammoth rally that began from Jaisalmer on 30 January proceeded to Barmer on the following day. From here the train of people went to Jalore on 2 February, to Pali on the 3 February and Jodhpur on 4 February.

The rally was an ambitious attempt to show a large number of people how violence against women results from an array of norms, customs, attitudes and practices that foster gender discrimination. The highlight was on the four crore missing women in the country. Rallyists stopped at populated corners at villages, towns, districts along the way to open up dialogue on gender discrimination, violence and the issue of ‘missing women’ as in their opinion only an open and vigourous discourse would enable people to understand and tackle the matter both within their homes and in their communities.

A street play ‘Chuppi Thoddo’ (Break the silence) drew the crowds’ attention and participation. Many people who gathered to watch the play and participate in the discussion that followed at various locations along the entire gamut of the rally also took a pledge to end all violence against women by taking personal responsibility not to be violent in their own personal relationships and encourage others to act likewise.

Media reports highlighted the fact that this 1,750 km rally attracted 6,000 participants and reached the campaign message to another eight lakh people.

Campaign allies that include Vikalp and Nehru Yuva Kendra (who played a big role), women’s organizations, medical practioneers, students, NCC cadets, teachers, professors, principals, government officials, police officers and personnel, members of auto unions, lawyers and parliamentarians joined efforts and helped sustain the momentum of the campaign.

Fifteen days ahead of the campaign, alliance members gathered support for the event by publicizing it through cycle rallies, auto rallies, street plays, poster exhbitions, distribution of pamphlets, discussions, candlelight vigils, slogan writing contests, formation of human chains and signature campaigns.

In Orissa, kite puppets that fly high up above the world are garnering attention for the campaign and its issues. An alliance member, Muslim Women Welfare Organisation (MWWO) uses kite puppets to relay stories and campaign messages so that just about everyone can see them just by looking heavenwards. These intriguing larger than life size kite puppets that are eight feet tall demand attention and people who spot them cannot help watching the antics of these enormous kites.

‘Rani ki bandhu” and ‘Santosh ki duvidha’ tell stories of women who are faced with violence within their homes but stand up for their identity and rights. What makes this creative pursuit special is that it is an attempt by divorced Muslim women (victims of triple talaq) in Tilda village in Salepur who are part of MWWO. By designing kites and weaving stories around them, these women are ingeniously use the medium of kite puppets to make a statement of their own.