Workshop on Recognizing and Responding to Violence Against Women

On 20 June, the ICA-AP Committee on Women organised an online workshop titled “From Awareness to Action: Recognizing Violence Against Women and Building Coping Capacities,” in collaboration with Sleepwell Foundation India. The session was delivered by Ms. Arvinder J. Singh, a psychologist, psychotherapist, and consultant to the United Nations. She is the Founder Director of the Ashoka Centre for Wellbeing at Ashoka University and a guest faculty member with the Strategic Leadership Program at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

The workshop focused on identifying micro-aggressions and invisible forms of violence experienced by women in workplaces and families and offered practical strategies to cope with them. Examples shared included common phrases such as “women can’t take a joke” or “women tend to overthink,” as well as more subtle behaviours like love bombing, credit-stealing, persistent criticism, and emotional undermining that can contribute to an unhealthy environment.

Ms. Singh encouraged participants to pay attention to recurring patterns in negative behaviour, support themselves and others through solidarity, and rebuild self-worth by establishing healthy boundaries. She emphasised the importance of recognising what feels uncomfortable, and of speaking up against inappropriate behaviour, both for oneself and on behalf of others.

Over 25 participants from India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, including ICA-AP Women’s Committee Chairperson Ms. Chitose Arai, Committee members, ICA-AP staff, and Mrs. Namita Gautam, Managing Trustee of Sleepwell Foundation, attended the workshop. The session was described as insightful and empowering, with several participants offering heartfelt reflections.

“It is truly inspiring to see women empowering and uplifting one another, regardless of race, religion, or culture. These discussions not only help us recognise our strengths but also create space to understand our vulnerabilities and the many forms of violence we face in families, communities, and society at large,” said a participant from the Philippines.

“When I first heard the theme of gender-based violence, I imagined only physical violence. But I realised that situations such as doubting oneself or being denied a chance to speak are also forms of harm,” said a participant from Japan. While another one said, “I had never really given much thought to microaggressions. This session made me realise I may have been affected by them and reflect on whether I have unintentionally caused such harm to others.”

“Encouraging someone who feels hopeless requires compassion, patience, and presence. It’s not always about fixing the situation but about helping them feel seen, valued, and supported,” said another participant from the Philippines.

The ICA-AP Women’s Committee continues to create safe, inclusive spaces to address issues that affect women across the cooperative movement, while promoting resilience, empathy, and collective well-being.