Category: Blogposts

Health without violence: Comprehensive response to GBV

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We began this new year (2025) with organising a Short Course for healthcare providers on ‘Addressing Gender-based Violence as a Public Health Issue’. This was organised as a residential programme in Bhopal from January 6th to 10th in which 15 participants joined us from 10 different states. This marks a significant milestone in our efforts, as Sama has dedicated more than a decade and a half to advancing the recognition of gender-based violence (GBV) as a critical public health issue. Continue reading

Challenging Control: The Continuing Struggle for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

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The patriarchal need to control sexuality significantly influences discussions on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). Women, young girls, gender-diverse people, and disabled individuals face stigma and humiliation when seeking SRHR services, including abortion. Access to comprehensive sexuality education is restricted, increasing vulnerability to gender-based violence. India recently proposed restricting the over-the-counter selling of emergency contraceptive pills, but international laws recognize emergency contraception as a basic human right. Continue reading

Expanding the discourse around GBV

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Over the past two years, Sama has organised workshops with community-based organisations as well as short courses for youth. These spaces were utilised to unpack gender-based violence, improve the intersectional viewpoint, and hold systems accountable. Participants from approximately 100 community-based organisations in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha attended these seminars and short courses. This blog is based on the experiences of participants who attended Sama’s short courses and workshops. Continue reading

Dignity in death or discrimination in death?

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“Death comes to one and all, and, the pandemic has brought pain, suffering, and death irrespective of class, caste, race, gender, sex, ethnicity and religion, etc. The haunting memories and the trauma faced by people during the pandemic tell us that this is the time for care, empathy, and kindness—toward oneself and others. And this is indeed a long haul that demands our collective strength and support.” An essay by Pakhi, a young volunteer at Sama. Continue reading