Hothur Foundation is a diversified philanthropic organisation that aims to uplift the economically backward and tackle issues faced by women and society. The implementation of the nationwide lockdown to combat the ongoing pandemic has left a profound impact on the entire human environment. Domestic violence and gender-based violence against women during the lockdown in India, as well as all over the world, emerged as a big public health threat with studies showing a 92 per cent increase in domestic violence cases throughout the country.
Restrictive mobility and fear of getting caught prevent abuse victims from seeking help and reaching out to their regular support systems. With its initiative #HothurEmpowers , Hothur Foundation aims to help victims of domestic and gender-based violence get their lives back on track. Currently, the foundation is sheltering these women and their children in safe homes and helping them return to a normal life with psychological counselling, rehabilitative therapy, financial aid, and medical treatment. During the first nationwide lockdown, domestic violence increased twofold and the horrific stories that came to our ears, some first hand, weighed our hearts down. No human should have to face such fear.
We want to reach out to as many women as possible, to rehabilitate them and empower them with hope so they can stand on their own feet,” says Hothur Shadab Wahab, founder at Hothur Foundation.
Acid attacks are another grievous form of gender-based violence that women have endured, permanently scarring their minds, bodies, and souls – an act so brutal it scars the face and identity of women, while they are tragically shunned from society. Hothur Foundation has taken multiple steps to help them recover, with rehabilitation surgeries and employed them in its projects. With the #HothurEmpowers initiative, Hothur Foundation aims to not just help the abused, but educate people and children on a grassroot level, provide them employment for financial security, mentor them psychologically. It is our aim to revolutionise the mindset of people and make them understand the struggles an acid attack survivor goes through, that they are capable of being employed, not looked upon as outcasts, and most importantly being treated ‘normally’.
Apart from rehabilitating and empowering women, Hothur Foundation has spread its hands in various other charitable and welfare initiatives. The tradition of giving back is religiously followed by the foundation even before its inception in 2011. From infrastructural development of roads, bridges in rural areas, medical treatment of the blind, education, maternity aid supporting old age homes to numerous food drives during and before the pandemic. To counter acute hunger in poverty driven areas we started with a goal of two lakh meals and were able to reach out to a bigger populace and provide four lakh nutritious meals to Covid-19 struck communities.
Hothur Foundation believes in the power of women and the potential a country’s youth has given the right direction and education. With small but consequential steps we can together attain Victory over Violence and change the future for better.
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