By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
The UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign aimed at addressing gender-based violence and promoting respect and fair treatment of women. From a Gaudiya Vaishnava perspective, the campaign emphasizes the importance of treating all individuals with respect and recognizing their inherent worth, regardless of material circumstances such as gender. In Bhagavad Gita 12.15, Krishna identifies those qualities that endear one to Him, including one who does not cause any distress to any other living entities. Srila Prabhupada often emphasized the principle of treating all individuals with the utmost respect and recognizing their importance in family, society, and Krishna’s service.
The ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry is organizing an initiative aligned with the UN 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence from November 25th to December 10th. Through this campaign, the ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry aims to create safer families and communities within ISKCON for women by engaging in discussions that emphasize the underlying principles of equity within Gaudiya Vaishnava teachings. This year’s campaign theme is “Safe Families, Strong Communities.” The objective is to raise awareness about the essentiality of treating women within ISKCON with respect, dignity, and equality. Abuse in any form is an offense to the Vaishnavis and Srila Prabhupada. Therefore, there is a need to raise awareness about what constitutes abuse and how to create a culture of protection within our communities.
For this purpose, the ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry is inviting Vaishnavis to contribute in the areas of visual art, performance art, photography, poetry, and spoken word. Art can be a powerful tool to raise awareness about an issue because it can engage emotions, capture attention, and convey messages in a thought-provoking manner. In essence, art has the potential to evoke emotions, challenge perceptions, and inspire action, making it an effective tool for raising awareness about various issues in society. Vaishnavi artists can bring people together through collaborative projects that involve the community. By involving individuals directly affected by the issue, artists allow their voices to be heard and empower them to express themselves artistically. This approach raises awareness and empowers communities, leading to meaningful change.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-vaishnavi-ministry-calling-for-vaishnavi-artists/
Comments