Hi! I am Harish, a young social activist from Mumbai working in the field of social development for the past 15 years.

I am one of the founder members of Men Against Violence & Abuse (MAVA), India’s first voluntary organisation of men based in Mumbai, which has been exploring the role of sensitive and concerned men to stop and prevent gender-based violence against women.

I strongly believe that for improving the status of Indian women and empowering them, it is important to address the root cause of gender inequality: traditional, male-dominated attitudes of men. For this, it necessitates focused, long-term interventions with young men especially adolescent boys.

Run by a core team of 5 self-motivated men, MAVA has been, since 1993, providing personalized counseling and guidance to needy men and women facing marital conflict and other gender-based problems, besides conducting several gender-sensitization programs for varied target groups -- esp. adolescent boys and young men. For the last 11 years, an annual magazine brought by us in Marathi regional language, containing ex-pressions exclusively by men on gender issues has been making waves in literary and social circles. We recently brought out a book in English called ‘Breaking the Moulds’ – first of it’s kind in India containing write-ups by Maharashtrian men from various walks of life.

Struggling with constraints of funds, space and other resources, through various innovative, youth-friendly media – like wall newspapers, street plays, interactive symposia, workshops, film festivals, sports Marathon and annual cultural magazine – MAVA has been over the years engaging a dialogue with young men as ‘partners’ tackling gender and sexuality related issues. Further details about our work can be had on our website www.mavaindia.org

MAVA, from 1993 to 2003, undertook programs specifically to provide succor to distressed girls and women. For the past 3 years, MAVA has been specially taking initiatives addressing felt needs of several men. Efforts are needed that promote gender egalitarian norms and healthy relationships among young men and enable them to question the notions of brutality, insensitivity and ruthlessness that dehumanizes themselves and others. Non-threatening spaces / forums (physical and psychological) are needed for men in which new ideas about masculinity including gender, violence and sexuality can be imparted and opportunities provided to comfortably unwind, communicate, share fears, thoughts and concerns on sexual health and gender matters. MAVA has been currently focusing on providing these forums to young men.

In May 2006, MAVA started a Counseling, Guidance and Resource Centre in the suburbs of Mumbai. Through this Centre, MAVA provides telephonic and personalized counseling and guidance to large number of men facing gender and sexuality related problems. A team of veteran professionals from various disciplines – psychiatry, sexology, law and social work provide their multi-services at the Centre. The Centre, functioning as a Drop-in Centre, provides adolescent boys and young men a space to communicate, share their thoughts, concerns and fears on gender issues, particularly violence against women, and involve them in the process of self-reflection, analysis and action for change. Through various activities at the Centre, MAVA aims at enabling them to adopt alternative, positive models of masculinity that promote gender sensitivity and prevent violence and abuse of women.

In the past one year, MAVA’s Drop-in Centre has been getting a large number of men openly talking about their vulnerability, their helplessness, powerlessness, their fears and anxieties on gender issues. Issues dealt at the Centre cover a gamut of problems including sexual dysfunctions like premature ejaculation, non-consummation of marriage, masturbation-related, male menopause and issues of violence and abuse. At MAVA’s telephonic helpline, over 2000 calls of men have been answered as on date. These calls range from matters of performance anxiety from boardroom to bedroom, excess anger to familial pressures to get married to unwelcome touch in local trains and other forms of abuse by other men.

Through the Drop-in Centre, I plan to conduct a series of Gender-Sensitization sessions for specific groups of young men engaging and ‘mentoring’ them through persoanl dialogue via workshops and group exercises, panel discussions, film-shows, plays, study-circle meets, open forums and other youth-friendly events.

I seek financial support to run these Reach Out Programs for adolescent boys and young men in Mumbai. For this, I have been approaching several philanthropic donor organizations, charitable trusts and individuals across the country. However,I have not been getting the support required. I have tried Ashoka Fellowship, but couldn't go through the final stage.

I shall be grateful if any one from the group could suggest any ideas for possible support – in any form: financial or non-financial - to my unique humanitarian cause. for translating my innovative ideas into action....

I shall be glad to provide any further information, if required, in connection with my initiatives.

Looking forward to an encouraging response.

Thanking You.

Harish Sadani