Fight for your right

CASES of gender violence are increasing. Usually, there's some sort of fight, the police gets involved as does the media and then the case dies off," says Zubin Driver. Driver has initiated Fight-Back, "a civilian's movement to empower ordinary people."

It began with a website in March 2008 on which you would find a police network, a Human Rights Lawyers network and a Hall of Shame. The main cause for Fight Back is to get you, the people, aware of gender violence and ways to prevent it. "The site is a one-stop shop of quick information.

We're keen to spread awareness, especially amongst the youth," informs Zubin. Fight-Back has begun distributing wallet cards amongst various people they come across which carries information for police control rooms. "They're in English, Hindi and Marathi," adds Zubin.

Stalls with volunteers have been arranged at this year's I-ROCK festival too, which takes place on the September 30 and September 31 at Chitrakoot Grounds in Andheri.

The cause has given away free, close to 3,000 wallet cards in Delhi and Kolkata and has a graphic commercial running at some of the country's most popular hangouts. Fight-Back also spreads the word through the popular networking site Facebook where 1,600 people have joined them in their efforts.

"Often you don't know what to do. Eventually, I think, we are alone and cannot blame the system or other people," explains Zubin about taking matters that are bound to have severe consequences on the world into your own hands.