SANDHI by Sakshi: Addressing Gender-Based Violence Across All Spaces for a Safer and Equitable Future

New Delhi, March 03, 2025 – The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act  and its implications for tech-facilitated gender-based violence were at the forefront of discussions during Panel-1 at SANDHI by Sakshi: Global Conference for Partnerships on Gender Equity. Hosted at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, the session brought together experts to dissect the role of technology in both empowering individuals and perpetuating harm.  

Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Director NSS, Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, delivered the keynote address highlighting the role of NSS in advancing gender equity through youth-led initiatives, emphasising that students across institutions are shaping a more just and inclusive society. He encouraged young people to take ownership of online spaces, stressing that creating a gender-equitable digital world starts with them. From calling out online harassment to advocating for stronger cyber laws, their role is crucial in shaping safe and respectful digital communities. He also spoke about the responsibility of institutions, policymakers, and educators in equipping youth with the knowledge and tools to navigate digital spaces responsibly, underlining that preventing tech-facilitated GBV requires proactive education and systemic change.

The panel featured Pragya Vats, Campaign Specialist, IPE Global, Japleen Pasricha, Founder, Feminism in India, Aparajita Bharti, Co-Founder, The Quantum Hub, Twinkle Khanna, Head CSR Division, Accenture, Garima Rathore, Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Microsoft, and Ramya Nisal, Director, The Rakshin Project, Sakshi. Discussions centered around consent, digital governance, and the importance of safeguarding individuals without restricting access to technology.

Addressing the gathering, Aparajita Bharti, Co-Founder of The Quantum Hub and a consulting expert on the DPDP Act, emphasised the significance of consent and control in digital spaces. She highlighted that while vigilance over personal data is crucial, technology itself is not inherently harmful. “Technology is a key tool for today’s youth to enter the workforce. Parents should focus on ensuring their children’s safety in all spaces, including digital ones, rather than imposing outright bans,” she stated.  

Ramya Nisal, Director of  The Rakshin Project by Sakshi, underscored how online and offline harm stems from a culture of shame, stigma, denial, and silence. “An unchecked culture that lacks accountability enables harm to persist in all spaces. If we do not address these foundational issues, safety will remain elusive,” she remarked.  

The session reinforced the urgent need for a nuanced approach to digital governance that safeguards individuals without restricting access to technology while simultaneously addressing the cultural structures that perpetuate harm.

Dr. Monika B, Deputy Secretary, NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development, delivered the keynote address highlighting  how SHGs are not just economic units but also powerful platforms for gender sensitization, community leadership, and collective advocacy for rights and justice. She also emphasized that one-size-fits-all solutions do not work in rural spaces and that capacity-building efforts must be localized, context-specific, and culturally relevant to be truly effective. 

The second panel at SANDHI explored innovative capacity-building methods and local community engagement, with panellists including Suhela Khan, Country Program Manager, UN Women, Rishikesh Patankar, Vice President of Government Programs, and NSDC, Ramya Anand, Co-Lead, Tarshi, Amitava Rakshit, Team Coordinator, Pradan, Sunandita Banerjee, Gender and Policy Consultant, NRLM, and Abhiir Bhalla, Youth Environmentalist. Discussions highlighted how localised and culturally relevant methods can drive impactful change, focusing on empowering grassroots organisations with knowledge and tools to dismantle gender-based discrimination. Integrating gender-sensitive approaches into skill development programs to enhance women’s workforce participation was also emphasised.

Mr. Vivek Bharadwaj IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, delivered the keynote address for the third panel on challenges to tackling gender-based violence at the grassroots level. He spoke about the need to strengthen gender equity through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), ensuring gender-sensitive governance is integrated at the local level for meaningful and sustainable change. He stressed that multi-sectoral collaborations—between government agencies, civil society organizations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, law enforcement, educational institutions, and corporate stakeholders—are essential for ensuring gender equity initiatives are holistic, sustainable, and effective.

With insights from Mohd. Asif, Executive Director, Plan International (India Chapter), Kalpana Pant, Executive Director, Chaitanya Wise, Dr. Shubhra Nagalia, Associate Professor, Ambedkar University-Delhi, Mitali Nikore, Founder, Nikore Associates, Mousumi Kabiraj, Programs, Powering Livelihoods, CEEW, Pritha Chakraborty, Research Consultant, Women in Global Health India, and Dr. Aditi Kishore, Director of Sustainability, Sakshi. Panelists explored barriers to justice, the role of policy, and strategies for multi-sectoral collaboration. The critical need for community-led prevention mechanisms and survivor-centred support services was discussed, alongside the role of financial independence in mitigating gender-based violence and ensuring women’s autonomy in decision-making.

The conference also included a presentation on the Study Towards Establishing Return on Investment in the Tea Sector by Ms. Manisha Majumdar, Sr. Program Manager, Agri-Commodities and WSAF, IDH. This comprehensive study empirically assessed the economic costs of GBV and demonstrated the business case for investing in GBV prevention programs within the tea industry and other agricultural value chains.

Additionally, the event featured Interactive Activities & Performance Pieces designed to create a multi-sensory and immersive experience for participants, reinforcing the power of storytelling in activism. 

SANDHI by Sakshi conference was vital for cross-sectoral dialogue and collaboration, fostering actionable solutions to advance gender equity across multiple spheres.