Guide for friends and families of survivors of violence and abuse

Located at a height of 3500 feet above sea level and nestled in the lap of the Eastern Ghats of India, Koraput district in the state of Odisha is a spectacular place with lush greenery, majestic mountains, fast-flowing rivers and all the more lovely, hospitable and down-to-earth people – the Bondas, a vulnerable tribal group […]

Every year, the annual campaign #16DaysOfActivism kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the campaign as it was originated in 1991 by activists at the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute.  The theme […]

We are excited to announce that we organised our first Safe Village Program in the region of Bastar, Chhatisgarh, thus marking the beginning of a new (ninth) state to raise awareness and empower the community about sex trafficking with our innovative tools – comic books, flipcharts, helpline and counselling. During the sunny mid-afternoon on Saturday, […]

Karishma*, 16 wanted to study but was being forced into getting married by her parents. With the support from our active network of grassroots leaders, we stopped the child marriage and ensured her safety.  Karishma’s father lost his first wife. He remarried which resulted in family disputes among his four daughters and their step-mother. Due […]

Relationships are complex and abusive relationships come with their own set of complexities. It is difficult to ‘just walk away’ from a relationship. It takes an immense amount of courage to leave. Domestic violence and abuse are about power and control and when a survivor walks away from the relationship they threaten the power and […]

Domestic violence is a violation of human rights. It is a consequence of minimising and discrediting the equal status of a woman in a patriarchal society. It can occur in any form – physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, economic, stalking, cyberstalking, or a combination of various forms of abuse.  Recognising Domestic Violence and Abuse The first […]

“My daughter is 15 years old and my husband was arranging for her marriage. When I read Surokhito Gram Karyakrom’s comic book, I learnt that girls shouldn’t get married before the age of 18. It’s not good for their health and the future. It was difficult to convince my husband, but he agreed eventually”, a […]

Trafficking in Persons affects generations and not only individuals. The poor and vulnerable are the most susceptible and COVID-19 only reaffirmed this severe tragedy.  The 2021 theme for World Day against Trafficking in Persons is, “Victims’ voices lead the way”. It speaks so many things all at once. It speaks the truth, it speaks to […]

Rachakonda Commissionerate (Hyderabad, Telangana), under the leadership of the Rachakonda Commissioner of Police Mr. Mahesh Bhagwath, Indian Police Service initiated a quarantine follow-up for the staff of the Commissionerate who were tested positive for COVID-19 (mild and moderate cases). My Choices Foundation was brought on board to conduct counselling sessions, along with the routine medical […]

Sensitive and unbiased are two words that one must never forget when talking to a survivor of violence and abuse. Not providing a supportive environment can have adverse effects on the mental health of the survivors. Lack of support and reassurance can at times even make them tolerate the abuse for the sake of society.  […]