Empowering South Asian women against domestic violence

Yesterday was International Women’s Day, celebrated by communities worldwide since 1975. Locally, the organization Global Arts and Education awarded six Bay Area women the “Extraordinary Public Service Award” at its International Women’s Day Awards Breakfast. Asian-American Assemblywoman Fiona Ma of San Francisco was one of them. She was recognized for her commitment to victims of domestic violence in California.

The Bay Area is home to many Asian women’s support groups whose state funding has been threatened by budget cuts. One East Bay program founded 18 years ago focuses on South Asian women--those who come from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It’s called NARIKA.

Hana Baba sat down with NARIKA director Merula Furtado and asked, why do South Asian women need their own helpline?

Note: NARIKA South Asian Domestic Violence helpline is holding a South Asian women’s empowerment conference on Sunday, March 21st.