On March 7, 2009, the day before International Women’s Day, over 250 Breakthrough Youth Rights Advocates educated communities about the 2005 Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and took our much-talked about Bell Bajao campaign on domestic violence to thousands of people in Lucknow, India.

Breakthrough’s brand ambassador and Bollywood actor, Boman Irani’s call for ending violence against women, found a huge support in Lucknow.

See an ad with Boman Irani shown:

Ring Ring from Breakthrough on Vimeo.

The Youth Rights Advocates held public events in four spots in Lucknow city: West End Mall, Kapoorthala, Puraniya and Saharagunj Mall. They held video screenings, street theatre performances, puppet shows, opinion polls and signature campaigns. Interactive stalls were facilitated with engaging games, pamphlets and flyers on the issues.

From Breakthrough’s own Sunita Menon, “The public in Lucknow gave an overwhelming response and supported the youth Rights Advocates whole heartedly and pledged to take action and stop all forms of violence. Over a 1000 signatures were collected for more information and active implementation of the 2005 Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act within the state of Uttar Pradesh.”

Mr Ravi Joshi who signed his name against domestic violence said, “Young people taking initiative to stop all forms of violence is heart warming. It is really important that this information reaches people for them to access law and rights entitled to them.”

Five young men from Kanpur Institute of Management said that they always felt that violence against women was a woman’s issue and this public event of having men as partners to end domestic violence has made them commit to end violence within their own families and known circle.