We are together, and we identify as ‘the historically oppressed’(a large community which includes women, LGBTIQA++, ethnic/ caste minorities, religious minorities, disabled communities and others). Everyday we witness how our sisters, brothers and others get tortured by the systemic power structures in order to get us silenced, in order to get us use our labour and life-energy to sustain the discriminations. To some of us, this endless assertion of power on own lives caused unending state of trauma and to some of us it has costed our lives.
At VANAJA or ‘the feminine born of the forest’, we believe that changes towards inclusivity and accommodation can be brought to the society collectively. We believe in ‘oppressed unity’ and we are here to work on the many aspects of it from the perspective of intersectional feminism. We believe in unconditional love which has been historically prohibited to us, we believe it can create spaces of peace and magic which we deserve as human beings born on this beautiful earth.
Mission
To identify, create and establish ethical/ healthy spaces + practices for diverse historically oppressed communities by providing crisis intervention, awareness programs, media representation and activities towards healing.
Vision
To ensure that the systemic power is proportionately accessible to the diverse group of historically oppressed communities based on the principles of democracy – and a system based on compassionate understanding is in place.
What we do
We have identified our major areas of intervention as discrimination and violence against marginalized community. Sexual harassment, gender violence against Women and LGBTIQ+ community. ‘Conversion therapy’ and other misuse of mental health facilities. Discriminations faced by the community in domestic, public and workspaces. Discrimination and ableism against disabled community. Discrimination and violence against religious, ethnic/ caste minority
Crisis Intervention
Crisis Intervention is the first priority of Vanaja Collective. Our crisis intervention strategies are political, intersectional and with an emphasis of healing mental health traumas. We make use of the governmental facilities such as police and legal facilities to make sure our support seekers get the maximum constitutional protection in dire situations. We also have used online/media exposure to intervene in crisis.
We have on-going agreements with other Non Governmental Organisations such as MHAT Kerala to provide Mental Health Consultancy at our office space. We are able to help crisis situations with our contacts with the media too.
Please contact +91 80897 16867 to avail this service
Community Engagement & Awareness Programs
Awareness building and basic education on the ongoing forms of discriminations play a big role in the development of a society’s psyche. We have categorised these works as projects which will go on for a while so as to make an impact in the society.