Jharkhand News: 640 Witch-Hunting Cases Identified in Khunti District Under Garima Project | Garima Project

Khunti, December 17, 2024: In a significant step toward addressing witch-hunting and gender-based violence, 640 cases of witch-hunting have been identified across four blocks in Jharkhand’s Khunti district. The cases were brought to light under the Garima Project, spearheaded by the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS).

The initiative also recorded 91 cases of domestic violence, 11 cases of human trafficking, 16 cases of sexual exploitation, 2 cases of child marriage and 2 cases of cybercrime. Efforts are ongoing to resolve these issues through targeted awareness programs and community-level interventions.

Garima Project: A Focus on Gender-Based Violence

The Garima Project aims to combat gender-based violence and witch-hunting in Jharkhand’s rural areas. Operating in the Khunti Sadar, Murhu, Rania and Torpa blocks, the project has established Gender Resource Centers (GRCs) and Garima Centers to address violence and exploitation against women.

According to Manisha Sancha, District Program Manager (DPM) of JSLPS, the centers conduct community awareness programs, legal aid sessions and training to empower women and marginalized groups.

Key Stakeholders and Their Role

The awareness campaign, held under the National Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence, Nayi Chetna 3.0, saw active participation from various departments and organizations:

Officials from the Special Juvenile Police Unit stressed the importance of coordination between departments to ensure timely intervention and justice for victims.

Witch-Hunting: A Persistent Challenge in Jharkhand

Jharkhand continues to grapple with witch-hunting, a deep-rooted social evil that disproportionately targets women. Witch-hunting often results in severe physical violence, social ostracization and, in extreme cases, fatalities.

The Khunti district administration, in collaboration with JSLPS and other stakeholders, is actively working to address the issue by:

Community Engagement and Awareness Programs

The awareness campaign highlighted the critical role of Paralegal Didis and Gender Community Resource Persons (CRPs) in addressing gender-based violence. These individuals are trained to support victims, provide legal aid and raise awareness at the grassroots level.

During the campaign, officials emphasized the importance of education and community participation in eradicating witch-hunting and other forms of violence.

A Collaborative Effort to Eradicate Violence

Speaking at the event, Masih Guria urged the community to stand united against violence, stating, “We must work together to make Khunti a violence-free district. Women are the backbone of our society and must be treated with dignity and respect.”

The campaign also saw participation from representatives of Help a Child, SINI and other non-governmental organizations.

The Way Forward

The Garima Project and its associated initiatives mark a crucial step in addressing witch-hunting and gender-based violence in Jharkhand. With active participation from government bodies, NGOs and community leaders, efforts are being made to:

The identification of 640 cases of witch-hunting underscores the scale of the challenge. However, through sustained efforts and community involvement, Khunti district aims to create a safer and more equitable environment for all its residents.