The event hopes to encourage positive change to attitudes around some of the concerns highlighted in this Report, by promoting gender equality, respectful relationships and redefining gender stereotypes . The project is initiated and supported in partnership with the UTS Indian Society, UTS Nepalese Society, UTS Tamil Society, UTS Food Appreciation Society, UTS AUJS, UTSSA and UTS Equity & Diversity among many others.
Source: White Rakhi University of Technology Sydney
The campaign is based around the Indian tradition of 'Raksha Bandhan or Raakhi', a celebration whereby the bonds, obligations and respect between brothers and sisters are acknowledged and celebrated. Many students from various nationalities came forward, tied the White Raakhi in the traditional Indian way and took a pledge to stop sexual harassment.
Source: White Rakhi Pledge
The event was addressed by a number of guest speakers, there were several performances, followed by a symbolic Raakhi-tying ceremony. There were many traditional Indian Sweets & refreshments followed by a panel discussion too. Hon Sophie Cotsis, shadow minister for multiculturalism and women (NSW) spoke strongly against sexual harassment in universities.
The organiser Akshay Raj and his team are planning to spread this message to other Universities by holding similar events over coming few months. In a short video message to SBS listeners, the vice president of Indian student’s Union at UTS Sydney, Simran Pun said, "In response to the report about sexual harassment of female university students in Australia, we decided to introduce the concept of Rakhi into our university under the 'White Rakhi Project'. We are asking female students to tie a Rakhi to any male friend or acquaintance in the University, and create a relationship where they can safely share any concerns or issues with them."
Source: White Rakhi Pledge
"We seek the community's support in taking the White Rakhi project to a larger platform - we have lots of ideas and they can have a much greater reach if the wider community supports us."