Christmas 2014 - Discover the JOY of being the change!

The heart and soul of Women of Worth is to believe in the dignity and worth of all individuals irrespective of caste, gender, economic status or skin colour. At WOW we always choose to celebrate the privilege of ‘being the change’. We can ALL do our part in making our world a meaningful and beautiful place for everyone. Dare to dream big dreams. Live simple lives. Make a difference wherever possible. Stand up for what’s right and do not hesitate to speak out for the rights of those who have no voice. Discover the joy of being the change this season! The WOW team wishes you all a very merry Christmas. May you begin the coming year 2015 with great expectations, filled with hope for a happier you and a better world around you!

WOW is a movement that seeks to help women be the best they can be by standing up for justice, equality and change in all facets of life and society in both local and global contexts. We help women celebrate who they are based on their innate value and unique potential; anticipate and give expression to the changes that are still needed for women and participate in social action that empowers women.

Our mission is to:

• Enlighten women to recognize their innate value, worth and significance 
• Encourage women to live up to their full potential 
• Empower women by being a voice for equality, freedom and justice 
• Equip women with skills and values to live the change they want to see

Become a WOW Sponsor, and grab the chance to advertise to students, young adults and the general public through your logo/branding on our promotional materials like t-shirts, mugs and fridge magnets. Write to wow@womenofworth.in for details.

The Dark is Beautiful campaign addresses the toxic belief that a person's worth is measured by the colour of their skin.

The Girl Arise campaign seeks to raise the bar on women's safety through rehabilitation projects addressing the needs of girl children exposed to abuse and neglect.

We thank you in advance for your generosity and would like to send* you the following gifts.

A Mug (when you give Rs. 2000/- and above)

A Mug & Christmas Card (when you give Rs.3000/- and above)

*Please note: These gifts are currently available only in India

To Give From Within India:
Cheques to be drawn in favour* of PROVIDE or please contact us for bank transfer details

To give from outside of India:
Please write to us at wow@womenofworth.in for details

 *WOW is a program unit of PROVIDE

Our Fabricated World - Is Media Molding Minds?

By Dr. Susan Sridhar | Dean of Media Studies, Hindustan College of Arts & Science

Media messages are created by people. It is people that choose the visuals, the text, the layout and it is their perspective. The reasons are very often purely commercial. The Media is an Industry; a market enterprise that is ruled by politics and economics.

The Importance of Media Literacy

Do children really understand what ads are all about? By and large children...

• Are cognitively and psychologically defenseless against such messages.
• Lack real life experience.
• Face high peer pressure to conform.
• Cannot understand the intent to sell factor.
• Cannot always differentiate between the Reel and the Real.

Be aware of stereotyping. Sterotyping…

• totally obliterates individuality.
• reduces a wide range of differences in people to simplistic categorizations.
• transforms assumptions about particular groups of people into "realities“.
• can be used to justify the position of those in power.
• perpetuates social prejudices and inequality.

Stereotyping Affects Kids. Some of the common affects are:

• Fighting and violence in general is the best way to solve problems.
• Smoking and drinking is something cool.
• If you love somebody you ought to gift them chocolates, or if you are working then of course diamonds or even platinum.
• Being slim and fair assures you more popularity and perhaps more success.

Image from http://deborahtan.com/tag/stereotyping/

The Real Truth About the Beauty Industry in India

• The Indian Cosmetic Industry is worth 4.6 billion dollars and is now 1.6% of the global cosmetic market and according to CII, the growth per annum is at 15 to 20%.
• The cosmetic consumption changed with the economic liberalization in 1991 and with a succession of beauty queens from India.
• The concept of ‘size zero’ and ‘white privilege’ is very much in existence.
• By and large people are dissatisfied with their bodies and looks.Research indicates that exposure to images of  beautiful, thin models is linked to depression, loss of self-esteem and the development of unhealthy eating habits in women and girls.

 

So, What Do We Do Now?

Be An Involved Parent

• Set limits and get actively involved in your child’s media activities.
• Rather than telling them “No”, explain why you are saying “No”.
• Better is Active Monitoring where you watch along with the children, explain and evaluate.
• Explain why blind stereotyping could be harmful.

Deconstructing Media Messages 

Explain how a media message is created. This could be treated as a game. Choose any program, maybe an ad. Then…

1. Describe the kinds of people involved in creating that particular message.
2. Discuss the audio and visual effects that were used.
3. Discuss and explain the purpose of the message. Is it for information, entertainment or is there any other hidden meaning? 
4. Make Media a family activity. Be particularly careful with the Internet. On one hand it is a virtual encyclopaedia but on the other there is absolutely no censorship.
5. Voice your opinion and encourage them to voice theirs. Analyse the child’s opinion about the message. Do they believe it or not? Make them compare it to real life so that they would know that there are exaggerations in ads & any sort of programming. For instance, how someone can drive real fast on narrow streets and not get in an accident.

 

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About Moms' Space  

Moms' Space organized a workshop for parents (Yes, both moms and dads) to introduce the concepts of Media Literacy. Dr. Susan Sridhar, Dean of Media Studies at Hindustan College of Arts and Science, expounded the various reasons why parents have to be media literate themselves, so that they can teach their children to view and analyze media logically.

 

 

Moms' Space is a Women of Worth support group for mothers of young children. We currently have two chapters in Chennai: One in Kilpauk and another near ECR.
Write us at womenofworthindia@gmail.com or contact the WOW Office at 90942 26015 if you would like more information.

Visit us, Like us, and Support us @ www.facebook.com/wow100.

Defining Our Character - A Special Chapel Service at WCC

On Sunday, July 8, Women of Worth conducted the Chapel Service for the ladies at Womens Christian College, Chennai, with singing, teaching, and counseling.  

The WOW Band lead the girls in an amazing time of worship. Kavita Emmanuel spoke on the importance of setting Spiritual Goals as they help shape our character. Her message was simple: Setting spiritual goals are as important as setting career or life goals because our "doing" is guided by our "being."

She challenged the ladies to spend time in reflection and to connect with their "Maker" - in order to draw their primary identity and sense of worth.

The Results Are In!

Announcing Mothers & Daughters Photo Contest Winner

We’re happy to announce the winner of The Mothers and Daughters Photography Contest held this month.

Congratulations to Christelda Jennifer for her beautiful photo titled “Mom and me”:

 

 

Christelda Jennifer, we're delighted to send you and your mom for a Lengendary Culinary experience at Moti Mahal Delux!

Thank you to all our participants who saw the value in the relationship between a mother and her daughters. You will recieve a Be The Change mug from WOW for your entry.

 

 

Based on data released by United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs, "India [is] deadliest place in the world for Girl Child. An Indian girl child aged 1 - 5 years is 75% more likely to die than an Indian boy, making this the worst gender differential in child mortality for any country in the world."

Female Foeticide, Sex-Selection Abortions, Female Infanticide can only be curbed when mothers, grandmothers, and the community of women see the beauty and blessing in their daughters.

We thank all those who participated in the Mothers and Daughters Photo Contest. Here are the entries. Enjoy! 



Gitu Sabu



Matthew John



Rehna Abdul Kareem

Sunita Ajoy

Sella Subramanian

Lavanya Subramanian

Merryn Fawssett

Lakshmi Vekatraman

Sriram Natrajhen

Zippora Madhukar

 To Mothers and Daughters!