In an initiative to involve boys and men in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and gender-based inequalities in the society, Best Practices Foundation conducted a GBV training for both both and girls from Bijapur and Bhagewadi. Amit Mithun Imanand is a young boy, who is now 17-years-old, attended the training programme. After attending the training, he shared the changes that had occurred within himself, because he now understood the subtle forms of gender-based violence which he would have normally practiced. Amit said that due to the training, he was now more conscious about equality, rights and freedom of both genders. He now understood that everyone must be treated equally. Amit said that when he gets married, he will make sure that his spouse gets equal rights and support without any fights and mistreatment. He also shared that though he has not been able to really open up with his family, he wishes to implement ideas of equality with his sister and support her education and will stand by her for her higher education. Amit has also conducted the GBV cascading training for three mixed group groups consisting of five members each. He said that these participants of the cascading training have reported back to Amit as to how they are implementing their learnings and have been able to change their views within their households and in college and have successfully become change agents within their community.
