November 25, 2020

November 25 is an important day in the calendar of Sharekhan. It is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The day also marks the start of the Orange the World campaign, 16 days of activism by the United Nations against gender-based violence from November 25 to December 10, the Human Rights Day. Sharekhan has zero tolerance for violence against women be it at workplace or outside of it and whole-heartedly supports the Orange the World campaign.

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing pandemic of violence against women and girls (VAWG) as well as amplified the challenges faced by the victims. The United Nations reports that VAWG, especially domestic violence, has increased alarmingly across the world in the aftermath of the lockdown triggered by the pandemic. What’s more alarming is that limited physical mobility, suspended public transport and closed or stretched capacity of specialist support services (ie SOS hotlines, shelters, crisis centers, legal aid, rape clinical management, sexual and reproductive health services) have hindered the ability of the victims to access support including first medical aid, justice, health care, psycho-social care and social protection.

Sharekhan and the BNP Paribas Group are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment free from sexual harassment to the women employees. But what happens when these women step out of the workplace? Protecting them at workplace is not enough. We must eradicate violence against women and girls forever. For that we all must do whatever we can whenever we can, every bit of support counts. Campaigns like Orange the World offer us opportunities to do something about a social issue which touches us all. The theme of this year’s Orange the World campaign is “Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” and I invite you to join the campaign by taking action to end VAWG during the 16-day activism.

Here are eight ways you could Orange the World

1. Orange your social media; through social media posts show your solidarity with the survivors and where you stand in the fight for women’s rights;
2. Talk about consent, bodily autonomy and accountability to your children and start conversations about gender roles with them early on;
3. Speak up against cyber violence;
4. Stand up against rape culture;
5. Make a personal commitment to not condone or accept violence, and to speak up;
6. Have conversations with colleagues, family and friends about the negative impact of VAWG on individuals and communities;
7. Educate yourself about the causes and consequences of VAWG; and
8. Understand consent. Rather than listening for a “no,” make sure there is an active “yes,” from all involved.

Come, let us celebrate the day by taking a pledge to make the world a safer place for our mothers, sisters, daughters, and women colleagues and friends.

Thank you.

Best regards,
Rajesh Shetty
CHRO