DIDI BAHINI SAMAJ VICTORIA (DBSV) HANDED OVER AUD 5000 TO AAWAJ (LOCAL NGO OF NEPAL) TO SUPPORT VICTIM-SURVIVORS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE IN NEPAL

16 days of activism against gender-based violence is a global campaign to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge violence issues and call for actions to end violence against women. Every year the campaign runs from 25^th November to 10^th December. Thursday, 25^th November 2021 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and marks day one of the 16 Days of Activism. Various campaigns and programs were run across the globe challenging violence against women and girls and calling for action against gender-based violence.

Like every year, this year as well Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV) has organised various programs for this global campaign against violence, as such, Walk against family violence, Clothesline project, Respect is.. campaign, an information session about violence, social media engagements, ‘Knitting: The New Me’ project closure and many more. On the very first of this international campaign, the DBSV team also successfully organised and participated in the walking campaign ‘Walk against Family Violence (WAFV) 2021’ which was organised in Coburg Lake Reserve on 25^th November 2021. The objective was to speak out against violence and call actions to prevent violence against women.

During the program, DBSV took the opportunity to hand over AUD 5000 which was raised to support survivors of family violence in the mid-western region of Nepal. The money was virtually handed over to AAWAJ (a profound local NGO working to support survivors of family violence in Nepal). The fund will support women to heal, rebuild, establish their independence, build their confidence and create a future of their own making. Hence, the costs will bear the cost for the provision of safe short-term accommodation, and support for other essential services such as medical treatment, legal advice, counselling, family and social mediation process.

For the last six years, DBSV has been raising funds in various ways. One of the most common was the Teej program’s entry fee. However, due to the restriction imposed with the Covid restriction for two years, like last year (2020) this year (2021) as well we were unable to celebrate our Teej in person. Amidst Covid restriction, we celebrated this year’s Teej program virtually and in a more creative way. Also, we opted for different alternatives to raise funds and to fulfil our ongoing dedication and commitment to supporting those women and girls. With all of the helping hands and kind heart, this year we were able to hand over AUD 5000 for this great cause.

Please click on the click for Facebook live:

https://www.facebook.com/100004573898072/videos/1034342200474565/

DBSV STANDS STONG AGAINST VIOLENCE

SAY NO TO VIOLENCE!!

‘RESPECT WOMEN: CALL IT OUT

Women Dialogue Digital Forum

‘PARENTING CHILDREN IN DIFFERENT CULTURE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES’

Open Discussion Forum with Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV)

Guest Speaker: Dr Arun Raj Kunwar, M.D, Renowned Child and Adolescent Specialist

With ongoing dedication and commitment to promote gender equality and build a platform especially for women, Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV) has been successfully organising women dialogue digital forum, an open digital discussion forum, every two months since March 2021. It is a forum for all women to share experiences, challenges and raise awareness to empower women and their families to work towards equality and just society.

After completing three digital forums, this time DBSV facilitated the forum “Parenting Children in different Culture: Challenges and Opportunities” on the 8^th of November 2021. The digital platform brought together 75 participants from the Nepalese community living in Australia and provided them with an interactive session with a place for discussion and raising their queries related to parenting children in different cultures.

As the world moves towards being an inclusive community, more and more people move across and settle in a society that culturally differs from their home country, thus, increasing the number of children born in diverse cultures. Thus, the prime focus of the digital forum was to address parents’ challenges faced in parenting and raising children in diverse cultures and to discuss the opportunities and strategies to deal with those challenges. The panel speaker Dr Arun Raj Kunwar, M.D was invited to discuss the challenges faced in different cultural settings and tips to deal with such challenges when they occur. Different cultural expectations, values, beliefs which bring about the challenges in parenting in a different culture and strategies for overcoming those encounters was elaborated by Dr Arun throughout the session.

‘Parenting in a different culture is bound to have even more challenges given the fact that they are from a different country, cultural background, values, the language of communication, religious beliefs and other factors that may not act in the same direction. However, understanding children’s perceptions, expectations and setting up clear parenting models, rules and expectations, spending quality time with the kid and being flexile and familiarised with their circumstances and the country they live in might help parents to overcome cultural clashes .and to raise a child in a multicultural environment.’

  – Dr Arun Raj Kunwar, M.D

 The Takeaway:

The session was concluded successfully by Dr Anupam Pokharel, Consultant Psychiatrist; a mental health specialist, by unpacking key concerns related to parenting in a multicultural environment:

• • Differences in how children are raised compared with what parents were used to.
  • Differences in how parents from diverse cultures show affection to their children and how independent their children are
  • Attitudes towards rewards and punishment
  • Parent’s responsibility to their children, family and community
  • Parent’s and children’s expectations towards each other

The program was successfully facilitated by Anjana Nepal. Technically, the session was coordinated by Anita Bhandari and Benju Gnawali. Live session via DBSV Facebook was also facilitated. Around 340 people viewed the live stream during and post-session. Hence, very positive feedback and comments were received during and post-session. The forum was remarked as an interactive and informative session which was witnessed by the active participation during the session followed by a Q&A session. Few highlights of the burning queries or concerns raised during the session are as follows:

1. 1. Communication barrier- language barrier, understanding, identity crisis- whether Nepali or Australian
   2. Late-night out/ patents stress, low confidence/stress, thinking differences in children and parents: -Late night out of children- hard to tolerate to parents
   3. The communication gap between children and parents (over-sensitive of reality and fact) parents are scared with children to ask about where they go and what they do as it may escalate the situation worst. Understanding confusion between parents & children due to language barrier
   4. Lack of understanding of the situation of parents and children or vice versa. Poor Interpretation difference between children and parents

PRESENTATION BY DR ARUN RAJ KUNWAR, M.D

Join the Week Without Violence Campaign With Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV)

The Week Without Violence (WWV) is an annual campaign to raise awareness against violence and promote attitude change against any form of violence. Every year, the Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV) participates in the Week without Violence campaign to raise awareness against family violence. This is one of the signature programs for the DBSV.

Since 2012 DBSV has launched a series of the Week without Violence campaigns for example, by drawing or painting T-shirts that display a virtual or real clothesline as well as by making movies that deliver the message of preventing or reducing domestic violence. This year WWV is held between 18-24 October. This year’s theme is ‘CONNECT, LISTEN. BELEIVE’: Contribute to healthy, happy families in our communities. Every year DBSV is facilitating various programs and virtual sessions focusing on activities on raising awareness, promoting attitude change, and enabling individuals and organizations to begin positive actions towards ending violence in communities. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restriction in place, DBSV’s program modalities are different. However, different programs are run in different areas. Some of the DBSV’s WWV awareness campaigns  are:

a. ‘Knitting: The New Me’: Breaking the Social Isolation and Promoting Connection           (https://www.facebook.com/100004573898072/videos/412435530281540/

A part of the WWV campaign is exhibiting and story sharing for 16 days of activism called “Knitting: The New Me” Breaking the Social Isolation and Promoting Connection. Following are the objectives of the knitting project are:

1. To conduct awareness campaigns by participatory knitting or ‘adjoining patches’ program in the community.
2. To improve family bonding by sharing skills, knowledge and stories
3. To let women feel positive vibes while working in a team and support mental health and wellbeing
4. To use the knitted-adjoined patch blanket as an awareness campaign tool for future campaigns

b. Clothesline Project: The clothesline project was initiated by DBSV Mernda Unit, DBSV Craigieburn Unit and DBSV Ballarat Unit Committee. Each participant expresses their feelings and painted messages against family violence, on a T-shirt and white colour cloth. The painted T-shirt and cloth were displayed via the organisation’s Facebook. Some of the glimpses of our clothesline project:

https://www.facebook.com/100004573898072/videos/550763486022086/

c. Presentation and information session via online platform Zoom:

d. River Walk (https://www.sbs.com.au/…/dbsv-to-organise-river-walk-as…)

The river walk was organised by DBSV West Unit Committee members with an objective to raise awareness against violence and promote social connection.

https://fb.watch/97YOZ5v6FY/

e. Story Sharing Session

f. Social Media Campaign: DBSV has also initiated a social media campaign to raise awareness by uploading photos, videos and short clips along with key messages via DBSV’s Facebook, Youtube and website.

Please join the Week without Violence campaign. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in this world.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1986451574850620&set=a.264185863743875

Family Violence Services PDF FILE

Call 000 if you are in immediate danger

COVID-19 VACCINATION VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION- 24TH JULY 2021

Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV) in association with the Department of Health and Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia organized and facilitated the Covid-19 vaccination virtual information session for the Nepalese community members addressing various aspects of the COVID-19, Covid vaccinations and vaccine roll-out program in Australia. The objectives of the information session were to update Nepalese community members about the latest updates on the COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine-related concerns and to discuss various aspects of Covid-19.
The COVID-19 vaccine information session took place on 24th July 2021 via Zoom. The online platform brought together more than 50 participants including community leaders, health professionals, students and other Nepalese community members. The info session was successfully led by prominent doctors and health experts. Participants were given opportunities to raise their concerns and queries related to Covid-19 and Covid vaccinations on various occasions. The session’s opening remarks and the country’s acknowledgement were delivered by Lina Gubhaju, Executive member of DBSV followed by the introduction of guest speakers and a welcome speech by Nirmala Nyaupane, Executive member of DBSV. Dr Jamuna Parajuli (President of DBSV) joined the panel and took the opportunity to discuss the objectives of the info session and to present all other DBSV’s Covid related projects and achievements carried out or those in progress.
The session was then successfully led by Dr Raju Adhikari, Director, CRAM Responsive Polymers PTY LTD. Consultant Cytomatrix PTY LTD, Consultant, Foldax PTY LTD. Hon Fellow, CSIRO Manufacturing, A/Prof school pf Science, RMIT University. Dr Adhikari facilitated a PowerPoint Presentation covering various topics of Covid-19 including possible symptoms of Covid-19 and safety measures, COVID-19 Vaccine, its efficacy, importance, common side effects and other information related to the vaccine rollout program in Victoria. Dr Raju Adhikari was joined by Dr Prathana Kunwar K.C (GP, MBBS, FRACGP) and Dr Chandra Deepak Pokharel (MBBS, FRACGP, GP Northcote Medical Group and east Doncaster Medical Group) who added additional information to the topic and answered queries related to the Covid vaccine including overall vaccination trends in Victoria and the situation regarding the Covid vaccine, its importance and potential side effects and challenges post-vaccination. Further, the health professionals also noted the need and prominence of vaccinations urging everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their near ones and prevent community spread. The closing remark of the session and vote of thanks was delivered by Mamata K.C, an Active Member of DBSV. The online session ended with positive remarks as an engaging and interactive session. The success of the session was evident by the high level of engagement of participants. The online session was broadcasted live via DBSV’s Facebook page and the session reached around 900 audiences.

https://fb.watch/7ciF1GegGq/

INFORMATION SESSION ON COVID VACCINE AND VACCINE ROLLOUT PROGRAM IN VICTORIA- 2021

 Didibahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV) in partnership with the Department of Health organized and hosted an information session for the Nepalese community members addressing various aspects of the COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine distribution, safety, efficacy, and eligibility. The information session was intended to advise and update Nepalese community members about the latest updates on the COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine-related issues.

The COVID-19 vaccine information session took place on 8th June 2021 via Zoom.  Around 88 participants attended the session via the digital platform, Zoom. The opening remarks of the session were delivered by Parsuram Sharma Luital, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Advisor, COVID-19 Vaccination Program, Victorian Department of Health followed by the acknowledgement of country and introduction of the guest speaker by Dr Jamuna Parajuli (President of DBSV).

The session was then successfully led by Professor Benjamin Cowie, Epidemiologist, Senior Medical Advisor and Executive Director, Covid-19 Immunisation Program, Department of Health. Professor Benjamin facilitated PowerPoint Presentation on COVID-19 Vaccine, its efficacy, importance, eligibility, and other information related to the vaccine rollout program in Victoria followed by Q&A from participants. Professor Benjamin was joined by Mohammad (Manager, COVID-19 Vaccination Program, Victorian Department of Health) who added additional discussion and answered questions asked by the participants.

During the session, the panel of health experts discussed and answered various topics and queries related to the Covid vaccine including overall vaccination trends in Victoria and the situation regarding the Covid vaccine, its importance and potential side effects and challenges post-vaccination including measures to address the mild adverse events (such as fever, nausea, headache, pain, aches, anaphylaxis). Besides, the health experts also noted the need for and importance of vaccinations and protective measures after vaccination urging everyone to get vaccinations as soon as possible. The closing remark of the session and vote of thanks was delivered by Anjana Nepal, Executive Member of DBSV.

KEY TO UNLOCKING GENDER INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL ISOLATION

Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV), a leading women-led organization in Victoria, introduced “Hula-hoops fitness” as a learning and exercise project in the family groups. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted and constrained community participation, this project came about in response to the need to allow women and their family to break the social isolation and to promote connection with broader communities of women during and post COVID-19 lockdown.

The rationale behind the project is that participating in hula-hoops session will help women to boost the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of her and her family, to encourage them to use online platforms to re-establish their contact with other women and family and to reduce isolation. Hence, an immediate goal of the project is enhancing community participation during lockdown whereas the long-term goal of the project is to develop Hula hoops skills and demonstrate these skills in the larger group. Nepalese migrant women residing in Moreland and surrounding LGAs were focused and encouraged to participate in the project.

Around 50 hula-hoops were distributed among 50 women for this project. Women played a central role in this project who received a Hula-hoops made by another woman. Participants received 8 sessions of one-hour Hula-hoops training from an experienced instructor, Tara, via the online platform Zoom. Project coordinator Dr Jamuna Parajuli, president of DBSV, facilitated the project with the support of other members of the organisation. Hence, the “hula-hoops fitness” session offered a chance to promote social inclusion and community participation via learning a new skill, develop resilience among women and promote the physical, emotional, and social well-being of women and her family.

… AND I RISE

Date: 21/05/2021-22/05/2021

In May 2021, Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria (DBSV) organized a two-day well-being retreat program with Nepalese migrant women (living in Victoria) to Torquay Ocean Country Park- Great Ocean Road with an objective to foster well-being, self-love, self-care, self-respect as well as to nurture a sense of togetherness and inner strengthening and empowerment. The program was also aimed to learn the Aboriginal Cultures and traditions.

At the retreat program, around 52 beautiful and energetic ladies came together to celebrate womanhood, connection and to restore a sense of overall well-being. They spent 2 days and 1 night in the Retreat program. It was a phenomenal two-days retreat, which created a positive and connective environment and offered a chance to step back from everyday life, to find inner calm in a peaceful setting of Torquay Ocean Country Park, and to spent time in the reflection of themselves and those in their relationships that are so important throughout life such as family, friends, and community. Beautiful ladies were immersed and empowered through various activities such as camping, cultural exchange with the Aboriginal community, team building exercise with happiness – business talk, meditation, yoga, cooking sessions, dance, human rights signs, dress up, and the like. The program also included a candlelight event. During the event, the group led tributes to those who have died from COVID-19 in Nepal and prayed for better days ahead. The group also held a minute’s silence to collectively reflect loss, support those who have been grieving, and hope for the speedy recovery of those who are affected by COVID-19. The event also pays tribute to the immeasurable role and service of those who are engaged and supportive during this hard time and critical stage to fight against COVID-19.

Hence, the retreat program offered a chance to shift from busy doing mode to rebalance and learn about the importance of physical, emotional, and social well-being with like-minded women.

Further details, photos, and videos will be available in our final report.

Gallery here: https://dbsv.org.au/dbsv-gallery/2-day-wellbeing-retreat-may-2021/

Vigil Candle Light Event
Watch You tube video below:

Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria celebrated this year’s IWD in partnership with Moreland City Council on 20th March 2021.

On the occasion, a panel of local female leaders from business, community and politics assembled at Coburg Townhall as a guest speaker to speak about women in leadership achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.

All women leaders applauded the achievements of women in the last decades and felt that the day is also a reminder of their responsibility to enhance women’s rights and empowerment.

Apart from sharing stories by the panel of speakers, COVID-safe activities, cultural dance, and afternoon lunch were arranged by the program organizer. Also, Didi Bahini Samaj’s new video “CHANGE STARTS WITH ME” was launched to promote change in men’s behaviour to stop violence against women and to promote women empowerment.

“Dr Jamuna Parajuli’s Speech, President, DBSV”
Watch the Youtube video below:

25 Nov 2020 – 10 Dec 2020

“Respect is…” is the theme of Respect Victoria’s 2020 campaign. This is a positive message that aims to support Victorian communities to engage in conversations about ‘respect’ – what respect means to us, what respect looks like, and how to put respect into practice, especially in the context of gender equality.

18 to 24 of October 2020

The Week Without Violence (WWV) is an annual campaign to end violence against women.

Every year DBSV has been organizing various programs focusing on activities on raising awareness, promoting attitude change, and enabling individuals and organizations to begin positive actions towards ending violence in communities.

This year the program modalities are different due to COVID restrictions.

Week Without Violence: Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at home and in the community, this year is no exception.
“DBSV stand strong and stand together with you all to end violence against women”