[Narayanjot Kaur]

Here is a list that I put together after analyzing the posts where suggestions were made. I do not recommend ranking them for this reason. Some of these items may not seem as important as others. But they are more manageable as first steps toward a larger goal. They can can be addressed more quickly, and will have a cummulative effect if implemented as a group of issues. And we don't want to lose momentum. Tackling something huge like stopping men from beating their wives is very difficult to effect immediately. But beginning the process of educating women and men is something we can do right away.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network - Think Discuss Share Learn Evolve http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/community-out-reach/27071-kaur-power-plans-advocacy-project-spn.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network - Think Discuss Share Learn Evolve http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27071

• Advocate for participation of women at all levels of Gurdwara seva, including performance of kirtan at Harimandir Sahib
• Become advocates for changing laws that are ineffective, fostering new laws when they are needed, and enforcing existing laws when they are not being enforced
• Become an online portal for women and men where they have access to webinars, articles, and other information that raises awareness of abuse and discrimination against women
• Become an online portal where women and families can gain access to information about services and advocacy
• Campaign against female foeticide
• Change negative attitudes about women who excel in work, at school, in settings outside the home
• Educate women about their status, helping them understand that they themselves are not aware that they are in a bad situation; Build their confidence to seek help and raise their awareness of how to get the services they need
• Educate women and men to recognize abuse at home and in relationships by sharing stories, case studies, videos, and articles that bring them to understand that there are other ways of relating that are positive
• Encourage women and girls to learn self-defense skills (e.g., Gatka) to protect themselves but also to build their self-esteem
• Help women understand that they in no way “caused” or are responsible for physical abuse, but that they are the victims of another’s uncontrollable anger
• Disseminate information about bullying
• Raise awareness of community protective services that are available, and foster confidence in women who are being abused to use these services
• Raise awareness that being abused is not shameful
• Teach newly-weds the signs and symptoms of abusive relationships

Now I think the next step is to take each idea and brainstorm 2 or 3 or more strategies that we can put into action with our current resources. This is how we build sustainability and capacity. Once we begin to see evidence of success from these early stages, we will be in a better position to convince others to provide resources so we can do more ambitious things.

Please forgive me for being so bossy.

[Narayanjot Kaur]

I just had to post this quote from the thread just published on Ashvinder Kundan Singh...

"There are those who wait for the world to change. and then there are those who put their strengths into action to revolutionize their lives and the environment around them. Their dreams become their driving force, as they take the world by storm and revise the way we think."

[Aman Singh]

Wonderful Narayanjot ji!! Thanks for taking your precious time out and doing the most concise synopsis and inspired by your enthusiasm, SPN now has just now owned kaurpower.com... this website will be used to implement all of your efforts in a more visible and systematic way. We will have this website up and running in a week's time with waheguru's grace.

[Narayanjot Kaur]

Actually, we are blessed that you Aman ji are always there to stand behind us and make ideas become reality.

I am not joking.

[Narayanjot Kaur]

simpy ji and Tejwant ji

I agree with you and am so grateful that you have expressed these ideas. Our big challenge right now is to figure out how to achieve access to those women who lack confidence and skills. How do we reach out to them on the Internet? Many of them are so overwhelmed in their lives and so barricaded from communication with other ways of living that they may not be aware of this effort. Let's keep on with the goal of pulling together for them.

[simpy]

Originally Posted by Narayanjot Kaur

Here is a list that I put together after analyzing the posts where suggestions were made. I do not recommend ranking them for this reason. Some of these items may not seem as important as others. But they are more manageable as first steps toward a larger goal. They can can be addressed more quickly, and will have a cummulative effect if implemented as a group of issues. And we don't want to lose momentum. Tackling something huge like stopping men from beating their wives is very difficult to effect immediately. But beginning the process of educating women and men is something we can do right away.

• Advocate for participation of women at all levels of Gurdwara seva, including performance of kirtan at Harimandir Sahib
• Become advocates for changing laws that are ineffective, fostering new laws when they are needed, and enforcing existing laws when they are not being enforced
• Become an online portal for women and men where they have access to webinars, articles, and other information that raises awareness of abuse and discrimination against women
• Become an online portal where women and families can gain access to information about services and advocacy
• Campaign against female foeticide
• Change negative attitudes about women who excel in work, at school, in settings outside the home
• Educate women about their status, helping them understand that they themselves are not aware that they are in a bad situation; Build their confidence to seek help and raise their awareness of how to get the services they need
• Educate women and men to recognize abuse at home and in relationships by sharing stories, case studies, videos, and articles that bring them to understand that there are other ways of relating that are positive
• Encourage women and girls to learn self-defense skills (e.g., Gatka) to protect themselves but also to build their self-esteem
• Help women understand that they in no way “caused” or are responsible for physical abuse, but that they are the victims of another’s uncontrollable anger
• Disseminate information about bullying
• Raise awareness of community protective services that are available, and foster confidence in women who are being abused to use these services
• Raise awareness that being abused is not shameful
• Teach newly-weds the signs and symptoms of abusive relationships

Now I think the next step is to take each idea and brainstorm 2 or 3 or more strategies that we can put into action with our current resources. This is how we build sustainability and capacity. Once we begin to see evidence of success from these early stages, we will be in a better position to convince others to provide resources so we can do more ambitious things.

Please forgive me for being so bossy.

I humbly suggest to complete this--'List Project' let us do it in a seperate thread...
the related posts should be moved there....

I think we should get productive and do the needfull.......just a suggestion to the people concerned....

[Narayanjot Kaur]

An update

Aman ji has just locked a domain name and in the past day set up a WordPress Blog for this project. It looks fantastic and will accommodate many kinds of information as links, feature articles, slide shows, video, and an area for blogging. Once we have content then the kaurpower advocacy project will go public.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network - Think Discuss Share Learn Evolve http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27071
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network - Think Discuss Share Learn Evolve http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27071

I have a question - also posted in the Mentors section - How do women who don't have Internet or don't know how to use it get access to the blog? Some of the women who would benefit most wouldn't be able to access it.

Suggestions?

[simpy]

Thanks a lot Narayanjot Ji, I appretiate your effort and hardwrk.....
Thanks again

Originally Posted by Narayanjot Kaur

An update

Aman ji has just locked a domain name and in the past day set up a WordPress Blog for this project. It looks fantastic and will accommodate many kinds of information as links, feature articles, slide shows, video, and an area for blogging. Once we have content then the kaurpower advocacy project will go public.

I have a question - also posted in the Mentors section - How do women who don't have Internet or don't know how to use it get access to the blog? Some of the women who would benefit most wouldn't be able to access it.

Suggestions?

Thanks a lot Narayanjot Ji,

Byweekly/monthly... we can create a paper bulletine that covers all the important topics of that time period.. and distribute it -- all Gurdwaras, Temples,... Indian Restaurants, Grocery Stores.....

Appoint members( and non-members if SPN allows) to take charge of their areas--- Like I can serve all Detroit,AnnArbor, Canton, Lansing (Michigan, USA) area.. I can also find people who can serve Chicago, NewYork (USA)....Windsor, Tronto, Parts of Vancouver, Kitchner,.....(Canada)..and many many other...Like UK, Germany, Holland, Australia...and of course-- INDIA...

For every area we will need to provide information about their easily available and accessible support system...

For this we need those people who are willing to volunteer and who have regular access to Internet, , .....and have time and resources to make copies and distribute them on a regular basis...and provide feedback on a regular basis as well....

We can aso find volunteers to mail the information in their areas.......

[simpy]

let us start working then!!!!!!

[Mai Harinder Kaur]

Not to engage in Gurudwara politics, I find this a very uplifting, progressive idea/thought/plan. I'm sure that Mata Bhag Kaur would, too.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network - Think Discuss Share Learn Evolve http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27071

Mai Bhago Safe House :happykaur:

Women | Sikh Youth Campaign – Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Surrey, BC

The issue of domestic violence has plagued the Sikh community in recent years fuelled by social inequality. As a long term goal, we plan to set up the Mai Bhago Safe House which will allow victims of domestic violence to escape abuse and allow them to rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive environment. We hope to build a team of professional Punjabi speaking counselors and support staff who will be integral to the success of this program.
It is our hope to link, liaise, and organize with community based organizations currently offering programs for women to address the lack of support services for women.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network - Think Discuss Share Learn Evolve http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27071
Counselling and support services will be brought in directly at the Gurdwara Sahib in an effort to reach a large number of women in our community. We will focus on education and empowering women in becoming strong, educated, and active members of the community.