Conflict, crisis, and abuse in Dharavi_ApharnaPadmakumar

Conflict, crisis, and abuse in Dharavi
Gender, sexuality, and health in the city – Mumbai, India

The podcast will focus on Asia's largest informal settlement - Dharavi, situated in the heart of Mumbai city, and will recognize the fundamental challenges the residents face in terms of gender and sexuality that reflect on the health and well-being of the city.

The central argument of the podcast will focus on stigma surrounding sexual behavior and gender-based violence against sex workers which leads to the spread of diseases amongst those who live in these urban settlements. It aims to respond to the needs and rights of these excluded and neglected groups.

The three main theories which will guide the podcasts’ discussion

i.        Gender-based violence

o   Prevention of sexual and emotional violence against women and to ensure their access to protection and justice.

o   Gender oppression.

ii.      Sexuality

o   Stigma relating to sexual behavior and gender stereotypes make it difficult for young girls and women to find a safe and encouraging environment for discussion

iii.     Sexual Health and diseases

o   Vulnerability and inadequate access to good sexual health care

o   Human Rights and Sex Work Decriminalization

In many countries, despite women's rights being fulfilled, they still face challenges like the right to health and we must commit to addressing them. The empowerment of women remains a pipedream, and many women are still unable to acquire education or health services.

Urban violence (sexual-based violence) against the women in these spaces limits their access to health services and creates severe infringements on women's rights to the city. Moreover, this abuse against women is driven by patriarchal social norms and intersectional power inequalities which results in harassment and sexual violence. Sex workers in particular are often exposed to high levels of violence and other forms of abuse when they are equally entitled to the same human rights as anyone else. Yet, they are robbed of their right to equal treatment and violated on a daily basis.

Non-profit organizations like SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action) work with women, children, and public health in urban informal settlements that aim to reduce gender-based violence. They aim to prevent and address violence using technology to use against these acts through an app that makes it easy to record incidents.

Activities and workshops were also conducted by these NGOs to reflect on the violence against women, wherein they used embroidery and patchwork to visually record the experiences they have faced.

The intersectional perspective here signifies violence against a particular gender of a social system that curtails the basic human rights of women and girls. The issue is so deeply embedded in their everyday life experiences that it is almost overlooked/underlined. The intersectional lens here underscores how such violence shapes these urban spaces and gender relations ensuring that the struggle for justice and equity among women no matter where or to what degree, continues to be rooted in everyday life.

The study of sexual behavior has taken new importance since the onset of the AIDS pandemic. The terminology, frequency, gender of participants, and many other factors contribute to a critical understanding of the need for health care services, especially for vulnerable groups.

To sum up, it is drawn that the problems these settlements face are severe and measures to eradicate the living conditions of these people must be adopted. The podcast aims to give an insight into the level of poverty and struggle for justice and equity that still exists in today's world. Sex workers' legal protection and other key rights, including access to justice and health care, are maximized when sex work is decriminalized. Legal recognition can maximize their protection, dignity, and equality. Taking steps to de-stigmatize sex work is important. The population is at risk if sex workers or women are not empowered to prevent the spread of HIV through the creation of safe working and living conditions. This translates to a newfound sense of self-respect within the community because of the global affirmation and implementation of women's rights that allow for a future where everyone can thrive. And when women thrive, humanity thrives.