A conversation in Bangla with Indira Chakravorty and Zakia Afrin about the past, present and future of domestic violence prevention work. 

Both the speakers are social activists, authors and veteran advocates to end domestic violence. In this episode they have shared their experiences working with domestic violence survivors, unique challenges immigrant survivors face and what can be done to prevent domestic violence. They have also shared wonderful resources. 

Here are the links:
Victims Right Advocacy Project: https://maitri.org/victim-rights-advocacy-project-recommendations
Islamic Family Law in American Courts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQhNWW9Dd_z3jTcSeamzvrg
Daya Houston: https://www.dayahouston.org/
Asian Family Support Services of Austin: https://www.afssaustin.org/
Swayam: https://swayam.info/
Naripokhkho: http://www.naripokkho.org.bd/nari-index.html

This project was made possible by funding provided by the County of Santa Clara Office of Gender-Based Violence Prevention. [www.sccendviolence.org]

#Maitri #MaitriPodcast #EndDV #domesticviolence #DV

11. Looking Back and Moving Forward

Immigration status based on marital relationships often creates barriers for a victim and survivor of domestic violence to address the abuse. Yet there are rights and resources available for individuals in those situations and many opportunities to advocate for policies focused on immigration reform. In this episode, we hear about Maitri's immigration assistance program observing its 12 years in existence and important lessons learnt throughout the process. 

This project was made possible by funding provided by the County of Santa Clara Office of Gender-Based Violence Prevention. [www.sccendviolence.org]

#MaitriBayArea #ImmigrationProgram #Survivors #AssistanceProgram

S4E13: Maitri's Immigration Assistance Program Uplifts Survivors

In this episode of Between Friends podcast, Maitri Self sufficiency Coordinator Tejeswi Dodda and Legal Advocate Urja Patel discuss some aspects of the community perspective on Marital rape and consent in intimate relationships.

Tejeswi Dodda is the Self Sufficiency Coordinator at Maitri. Tejeswi has a background as a journalist and activist highlighting issues around women and girls in India. She has extensive experience in nonprofit work, with a focus on social impact, gender justice, and advocacy for survivors, and over seven years of experience in the DV space. With Maitri since 2021, she is responsible for programming for Maitri's transitional housing and economic empowerment programs.

Urja Patel is the Legal Advocate at Maitri. Urja Patel earned a B.S in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender studies. She currently works as a Legal Advocate at Maitri with the intention of utilizing her educational background to provide assistance to individuals of marginalized communities specifically relating to issues of gender
violence. As a child of first-generation immigrants who did not have the proper knowledge of resources available to them in this country, she aspires to help navigate other first -generation South Asians through the legal system of the United States by providing education to these individuals on their rights.

This episode is hosted by Eboni Collins, Maitri’s Digital Media Associate who has a B.A in Communication Studies. 

Resources mentioned in the Discussion:

Maitri Findings: Community Perspective on Marital Rape & Consent in Intimate Relationships
https://maitri.org/reports

Presentation on Findings recorded Live April 28, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB8GcLwU2Kc&t=10s

Please help us improve our podcast by taking a quick survey: https://shorturl.at/nozD7

This project was made possible by funding provided by the County of Santa Clara Office of Gender-Based Violence Prevention. [www.sccendviolence.org]

#MaitriBetweenFriendsPodcast #MaitriBayArea #MaritalRape #MaitriStaff #Tejeswi Dodda #Urja Patel

S4E15: Marital Rape & Consent in Intimate Partner Relationships: A Discussion with Maitri Advocates

Domestic abuse isn’t just physical—it can also shatter a person’s financial stability. Financial abuse often goes unnoticed, yet it deeply impacts victims by limiting access to money, sabotaging financial independence, and creating lasting economic dependency. It’s a hidden form of control that can affect anyone, regardless of income or background.

In this episode, we dive into this critical yet under-discussed issue. Tejeswi Dodda, Maitri’s Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, engages in an insightful conversation with Ariadne Horstman, a certified financial planner. Together, they share essential financial knowledge and practical tools to empower you to protect yourself and others from the devastating effects of financial abuse.

Tune in to this important discussion and learn how to reclaim financial independence and resilience.

-----------------------------------
ARIADNE HORSTMAN, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Appreciate Finance was founded in 2015 to help individuals and families realize personal goals and dreams through comprehensive financial planning and investment management. Its founder, Ariadne Horstman, has practiced as a CFP® since 2008, advising numerous families and individuals on their financial situations. Prior to that, she worked in the tech industry in Silicon Valley.

She is a Registered Life Planner® with the Kinder Institute. Financial Life Planning is based on the premise that advisors must first discover clients’ most essential goals before formulating a financial plan. In this way, a client’s finances fully support those objectives as the client begins to move toward realizing them.

S6 Ep 3: Identifying Financial Abuse in Partner Relationships

Welcome to Policy Matters, a quarterly presentation from Maitri Policy Advocacy, where we discuss public policies that shape the prevention, intervention, and overall attention to domestic violence within our communities. 

In your Second Episode, we revisit the need for funding Domestic violence services in CA. Earlier in January of this year, Governor Newsom announced the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and it failed to take into account what advocates have been asking for: increased funding for domestic violence services. We reverberate the response released by the VOCA Advocacy Alliance of CA and seek your support in reaching out to the Legislatures. 

This episode is created by Maitri Policy Advocacy and voiced by Smitha Chandrasekhar, Smitha Chandrasekhar is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in Biology. She is currently on the pre-med track and intends to focus on a career in women’s reproductive health and oncology. Smitha has been volunteering with Maitri for almost a year and is deeply invested in promoting the rights of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to their own bodies and autonomy.

Resources in the Episode
California VOCA Funding Advocacy
https://www.cpedv.org/voca-funding-advocacy

California VOCA Alliance
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bHy24HKsyVC0Sth0fM666Y188_xDVwqZ/edit

UN Secretary-General's statement on domestic violence during COVID-19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJgVTeZrWLk&ab_channel=UnitedNationsinIndia

Maitri VOCA Advocacy in VALOR US Platform in 2022
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2310663309127820











S6 Ep4: Policy Matters @Maitri - Presentation 2

Power To Break Free

Join us for a powerful episode of the Maitri Podcast featuring Anisha Durve—survivor, author, and motivational speaker—who is dedicated to raising awareness against gender-based violence. In this compelling discussion, we uncover the red flags of abusive relationships, explore the critical role communities play in either enabling or preventing partner abuse, and highlight the resilience and healing that survivors can achieve. This conversation is a beacon of hope, proving that post-traumatic growth is possible.

The Power to Break Free Foundation: www.Power2BreakFree.com                            
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@powertobreakfree

Book: https://a.co/d/iLcP73R

Power To Break Free

S6_Ep 6: Policy Matters @ Maitri - Presentation 3

S6 Ep7: Inlaws and Inner Peace

This episode focuses on the cultural conflicts between South Asian parents and their children. Whether it’s clashing over career choices, dating, emotional expression, or even mental health itself, these tensions often leave deep emotional marks, sometimes even lead to abuse and violence. We’ll explore how intergenerational cultural conflicts affect our mental health, and what healing can look like when both generations are ready to listen.

Our guest is Shalini Dayal, a licensed family therapist with thirty years of clinical experience in the mental health profession. She has worked extensively with South Asian youth and adults navigating issues related to relational disconnect, communication problems, depression, grief, stress, cultural adjustments, parenting, divorce, and couples counseling.

More about Shalini Dayal: 
https://shalinidayalmft.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalinidayalmft/

More about Maitri: www.maitri.org

S6 Ep 8: Roots & Rifts: Intergenerational Cultural Conflicts

🎙️ New Episode Out Now: "Surviving to Leading"
with Menaka Iyengar Cooke – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient
From surviving domestic violence in a foreign land with no family support…to becoming an award-winning social justice activist, author, and HR leader.
In this powerful episode of the Maitri Podcast, Menaka Iyengar Cooke shares her extraordinary journey of post-traumatic growth. Her story is a reminder that while the road from trauma to healing is long, community support can be the lifeline that changes everything.
🔗 Tune in to hear how Menaka broke the cycle of abuse and turned her pain into purpose.
💜 A must-listen for anyone who believes in resilience, justice, and the power of standing together.

Surviving to Leading" with Menaka Iyengar Cooke

S7_Ep 2: Students Against On Campus Sexual Violence
As a new school year begins, thousands of students arrive on campus full of excitement and possibility. But alongside that hope lies a difficult truth: sexual assault remains a serious issue on college campuses nationwide.
In this episode, we sit down with Smitha Chandrasekhar, Alex Fu, and Shreya Vishwanath to discuss why awareness matters, how students can support one another, and the steps needed to build safer communities on campus.
Tune in for an honest, urgent, and empowering conversation.


Students against on campus sexual violence

In this Maitri podcast episode, Chanchal Garg opens up about the spiritual and sexual abuse that shook her identity and forced her to confront a life shaped by duty and sacrifice. She courageously shares her journey of personal transformation—unearthing hidden truths buried under cultural obligation, spiritual trauma, and the silence so often expected of women.

This moving conversation offers courage and hope for anyone navigating cultural pressures, intergenerational conflicts, or the weight of victim-blaming.

Chanchal Garg is a speaker, author, executive coach, and conscious leadership facilitator. For over eight years, she has facilitated a course on interpersonal dynamics at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Chanchal is also the author of Unearthed: The Lies We Carry and the Truths They Bury. 🌐 Website: chanchalgarg.com


S7 Ep 3: Moving Past Trauma, Stigma and Unspoken Pain with Chanchal Garg

South Asian Men in the Gender Justice Movement:
Did you know that in 2023, over 51,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or family members? (UN Women)
Violence against women is often seen as a “women’s issue”, but it’s not! Since most acts of gender-based violence are committed by men, men must also be part of the solution.
In this episode of the Maitri Podcast, we sit down with two inspiring community leaders — Dr. Dasharath Yata, Executive Co-Director of SEWA-AIFW (Asian Indian Family Wellness), and Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of the South Asian Network (SAN). Together, they explore how men can engage in the movement for gender justice and help build safer, more compassionate communities.
This conversation is a reminder that ending gender-based violence requires all of us — and that change begins in the everyday moments: in our homes, friendships, and communities. Please share this interesting conversation with all men in your networks. 
Our Guest speakers: 
Dr. Dasharath Yata, Executive Co-Director of SEWA-AIFW (Asian Indian Family Wellness) is a passionate advocate for the South Asian community in Minnesota, leading programs that promote health, wellness, and social justice. SEWA-AIFW has been dedicated to bringing “Total Family Wellness” to the Twin Cities community since 2004. We have continued to expand and adapt to meet the needs of our community. Visit: https://www.sewa-aifw.org/
 Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of the South Asian Network (SAN) brings decades of experience organizing and empowering minority communities, advocating for civil rights, and building interfaith solidarity. South Asian Network is a community-rooted resource serving, supporting, & advocating for the South Asian community: Visit: https://southasiannetwork.org/#
Maitri Podcast Host: Nandini Ray, Sr. Manager, Outreach, Prevention & Policy Advocacy
Maitri is a free, conﬁdential, nonproﬁt organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that primarily helps families and individuals from South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives) facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, or family conﬂict. 
Visit: www. maitri.org


S7 Ep 4: South Asian Men in the Gender Justice Movement

In this episode, Zakia Afrin shares information about Maitri's Legal Advocacy Program and important information and resources for Domestic Violence survivors.

Maitri Between Friends

2. Legal Advocacy for Domestic Violence Survivors — Zakia Afrin & Nandini Ray

In this episode, Shabana Ansari shares information for Hindi-speaking listeners about Maitri's Legal Advocacy Program and important information and resources for Domestic Violence survivors.

3. Legal Advocacy for Domestic Violence Survivors with Shabana Ansari & Daman Tiwana (Hindi)

In this episode, our host Nandini Ray is in discussion with youth from the community about Teen Dating and how they see abuse manifest in their relationships and what resources are available to them.

4. Speaking with youth from the community for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Mental health issues have frequently been perceived as nonexistent in our South Asian communities; we are least likely to seek help due to stigma until the situation reaches a level of crisis. To break the silence, 3 college students: Saniya Soni, Sapna Ramappa, and Ambar Mishra openly shared their perspectives and personal experiences with our host Nandini Ray.

18. Breaking the silence about mental health w/ LoudmouthLadkis and Ambar Mishra

Lack of affordable housing and financial stability are two major roadblocks that victims of domestic violence face. Fear of homelessness and poverty often prevents them from escaping abusive situations. In this episode, Nandini Ray is in conversation with Jaya Suresh (Manager, Transitional Housing & Economic Empowerment Program) and Sneha Ambekar (Housing Coordinator) about Maitri programs and they discuss different ways in which Maitri supports the survivors with housing and finance.


This project was made possible by funding provided by the County of Santa Clara Office of Gender-Based Violence Prevention.  www.sccendviolence.org

4. Maitri Housing & Economic Empowerment Program, with Jaya Suresh & Sneha Ambekar

In this episode, Maitri LegalAdvocate Shabana Ansari & Housing Coordinator Sneha Ambekar talk about Maitri programs in Marathi. Share this episode with your Marathi speaking friends— knowledge can help save someone's life!

www.maitri.org

instagram.com/maitribayarea

facebook.com/maitribayarea

twitter.com/maitribayarea

This project was made possible by funding provided by the County of Santa Clara Office of Gender-Based Violence Prevention.  www.sccendviolence.org

Maitri Bay Area

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