Stepping out of its usual role of addressing domestic violence, Saheli, Friendship for South Asian Women, is organizing a bold and innovative conference focused on South Asian families and relationships within the family. Inspired by students from Wellesley College’s Association for South Asian Cultures, this premier women’s organization is now addressing topics relating to intercultural and inter-religious dating, and the problems dating, in general, creates in Asian households.

The keynote speaker, Anita Raj, Ph. D. of Boston University School of Public Health, is a well-known author and researcher on the subject of South Asian communities and intimate partner violence. She is also very familiar with the work Saheli has been doing in the South Asian community since 1996. Other topics of great interest amongst the young that will be presented at the conference include the ancient Indian institution of arranged marriages. A distinguished panel of anthropologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists will ponder on whether arranged marriages are outdated or a continuing practice for South Asian US residents. Members of Saheli will present their observations and opinions with regards to the breakdown in the arranged marriage system.

Other issues to be addressed are the impressive legal and support systems currently available in the Boston region for South Asian victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence. Shelter, legal, financial, medical and other support systems will be discussed. Attorneys and service providers from well-known social service groups will share their expertise on this panel. Some of the panelists themselves are professionals to whom Saheli has turned to for help in the past. Finally, at the request of students, several issues relating to same sex relationships will be presented and how to discuss them with parents in South Asian households will be examined. Speakers and panelists have been drawn from academia, professional services, attorneys, student organizations and local activist groups. The all day conference has something of interest to all members of the community, both male and female, young and old.

As an affiliate of the India Association of Greater Boston, Saheli has helped women to gain further economic independence, assisted with legal and immigration issues, and supported many women in situations of domestic violence. It has built up an impressive list of achievements in the area of English language, computer literacy, citizenship classes in addition to its work with domestic violence and abuse.   

For more details on speakers and panels, directions and parking see the Saheli website www.saheliboston.org. The conference will be accessible via public transportation. For more information contact mhewett@wellesley.edu or ritashah@mail.com.

This conference has been sponsored through a community-campus partnership between Saheli, Friendship for South Asian Women, and Wellesley Association for South Asian Cultures (WASAC), Wellesley College.  To be held at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA Saturday February 12th, 2005, 11-4:30 pm. The event is free, lunch is available at a nominal cost.

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