As part of “Restoring Dignity – Religious Youth Say No to Violence Against Women” members of Religions for Peace India Interfaith Youth Network are currently engaging in initiatives to increase awareness and engagement of religious leaders and youth within faith communities to impact prevention of violence against women and girls.  The youth network is specifically addressing discrimination against young girls in society and advocating for young men to say no to the dowry system in India, which puts great financial burden on the daughter’s family and leads to female feticide. 

The youth are planning on launching education classes in colleges, community centers, and places of faith on the religious principles of inalienable rights of women and girls and how youth can engage in primary prevention of violence against women and girls through appropriate services in their communities.

The youth network is specifically addressing discrimination against young girls in society and advocating for young men to say no to the dowry system in India, which puts great financial burden on the daughter’s family and leads to female feticide. 

The India initiative conducted in the months of March and April an advocacy campaign to make school and college students and community members aware of existing state laws and moral laws of the various religions for prevention of violence against women. Advocacy material were developed and disseminated such as pamphlets and videos to inform youth on how to reduce violence against women.

  By the end of April, 2012, 9824 children, youth & women were educated on the existing laws and the methods for reduction of violence against women. Additionally, 785 young people in participating establishments were trained in youth leadership development. The trained youth are planning on conducting dialogue with policymakers and law enforcement agencies in the upcoming months to ensure that they give the highest priority to the issue of violence against women by enforcing and upholding the existing laws in India.