Sakhi Holds March Against Domestic Violence in Jackson Heights

by Amee Chew
June 23, 2005

On June 18, Sakhi for South Asian Women held its 8th Annual March Against Violence in New York City. Drawing attention to domestic violence, over 100 women and men made three rounds through the neighborhood of Jackson Heights.

Several speakers at the event addressed the role of men in ending violence against women. Representing CONNECT, an organization dedicated to preventing and eliminating family and gender violence in New York, Ramesh Kumar spoke of the need to recognize male privilege even while immigrant men face discrimination. Ghazala Afzal of Sakhi thanked those men attending the event, while Bix Gabriel, Community Outreach and Media Coordinator at Sakhi, added, “ In the past few years we have seen more men calling on behalf of their sisters, cousins, nieces, daughters. Today we ask you all not only to call Sakhi, but to talk to your peers, your friends and family about how we can end – and prevent – domestic violence.”

Survivors of violence also spoke to the crowd. Safiya Khan urged men to consider how violence destroys families, including through its impact on children. Sandy Mohammed declared, “How can we end violence? The community can end violence, by showing that it cares for the women who suffer and by stopping violence when it happens.”

Other speakers represented APICHA (Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV and AIDS), Turning Point, SAYA (South Asian Youth Action), and SCCADV (Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence). City Councilor John Liu attended and delivered a speech hinting at the need for government response.

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