Breaking the silence: Kolkata programme highlights hidden domestic abuse
Times of India | 6 December 2025
KOLKATA: The AMAN West Bengal Network organised an awareness programme titled “Resistance Through Art: Voices Against Natal Family Violence and Effective Implementation of PWDVA 2005” on Saturday. The event held from 1 pm to 4.30 pm at Jadavpur, Kolkata, shed light on the often-overlooked issue of Natal Family Violence (NFV) and commemorate 20 years of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005.
Natal Family Violence encompasses various forms of abuse within parental homes, including emotional manipulation, denial of education or inheritance, mobility control, and physical harm. Despite its prevalence, NFV remains a hidden form of domestic violence, often overshadowed by other forms of abuse. This programme seeks to bring NFV to the forefront of public consciousness, advocating for its recognition as a critical component of domestic violence.
The event is organized by AMAN Global Voices for Peace in the Home, a robust network of 159 organizations and individuals across 20 states in India and beyond. The network is dedicated to ending domestic violence, promoting women’s empowerment, and fostering peace and equality within homes and communities.
“Resistance Through Art” featured a variety of engaging activities designed to raise awareness and inspire action. Speeches addressing the challenges of Natal Family Violence and the enforcement of PWDVA, alongside captivating street theatre, music, poetry, and dance performances were held. An interactive art installation on a white saree served as a canvas for resistance messages, allowing participants to express their solidarity with survivors. Additionally, a signature drive was held to urge state authorities to include Natal Family Violence in domestic violence definitions and strengthen PWDVA implementation.
This initiative is part of AMAN’s broader efforts to end gender-based and domestic violence through advocacy, policy influence, and collaborations with civil society. The West Bengal chapter is actively engaged in awareness drives and membership renewals to further these goals.
Scheduled during the International Fortnight for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Nov 25 to Dec 10), the programme challenges the myth that the natal home is inherently a safe space and calls for greater accountability and protection for women facing violence in their maternal homes. Join us in this vital movement to amplify voices against Natal Family Violence and advocate for a safer, more equitable future for all women.