CHENNAI, MARCH 5
The new advisory board of PENN (Protection & Empowermentof Naree), a Tamil Nadu-based organisation, fighting sexual violence through awareness campaigns and empowerment, was installed on its second anniversary here on Saturday.
Various eminent personalities from different fields like law, justice, sports, administration, arts an entertainment, including SR Jangid IPS (DGP -Retd -Tamil Nadu, Educationalist), Dr. Kamala Selvaraj (Chairperson, GG Hospitals), Justice Prabha Sridevan (Rtd Judge – Madras High Court), Ravichandran Ashwin (Indian Cricketer), Revathi (Actor – Director- Social Worker), D Sabitha, IAS (Additional Chief Secretary- Retd), P Unnikrishnan (Carnatic Vocalist), and Dr Venkatraman (Senior Consultant – UNESCO), were roped in as new advisory board members, the statement said Chennai-based PENN, with a proactive approach, to prevent sexual violence against women and children, using a range of methods, including self-defense training, gender sensitisation, arts -based empowerment and working closely with authorities. They commemorated their second anniversary at Welcomhotel in Chennai.
The PENN anthem, composed by Lyricist, Music Director and Trustee V Sriram Sharma and sang by the Guest of Honour renowned playback singer, Padma Bhushan KS Chithra and the video for the same was launched.
Speaking on PENN’s work, trustee VS Sridhar, Senior corporate leader involved in the cause of women’s safety since 2012, says, “Sexual violence is a serious issue in India and the world. We came together to form PENN because we were alarmed by the increasing incidence of sexual abuse, violence against women & children in India. As per statistics ( 2020 ) of National Crime Records Bureau, across the country, every day, 77 women are raped , while 109 children are sexually abused, out of which 54% are boys.
At PENN, we are committed to bringing about the societal change to prevent sexual abuse & violence against Women & Children. We eagerly look forward to bringing more activities to the general public that sensitise, educate and empower.”
The other trustees are Sriram Sharma (theatre director, music composer, playwright), Swarnalatha Mahesh (advocate specialising on woman and child safety) and Sathyan (entrepreneur, event management, music and art educator).
Some of the activities that have been held since the organisation’s inception include community engagement programmes, Self-Defense & Cyber Security workshops at Educational Institutions & Work places to prevent sexual abuse of women, children, workshops on Prevention of Sexual Harassment ( PoSH ) in companies, awareness creation through musical theatre play on the legendary Velu Nachiyar by V Sriram Sharma, collaboration with the Police Department on creating awareness to prevent child marriage, and social media campaigns to create awareness amongst audience to prevent sexual abuses. PENN continued its work, even during Covid times, through online engagement with vulnerable communities.
