The play was a part of the first phase of a training workshop organised by city-based Vikalp Women's Group. It aims at acquainting women of the district's rural areas with the Act. Women from rural areas of Tilakwada, Padra and Chhota Udepur attended the workshop.

In the four-hour session, various issues were highlighted that are still not brought to the notice of the Protection Officer (PO), who is supposed to take up the supplication and take immediate action under the DVA.

One of the main concerns of the city women was inaccessibility to the PO in rural areas. “PO functions from the office based in an urban set up, thus, making it difficult for the women in the rural areas such as Chhota Udepur and Pavi Jetpur,” said Indra Pathak, Managing Trustee of Vikalp, which conducted the session.

She further said, “Proper implementation of the Act is important keeping in view the crimes perpetuated against women in Patan and Jhagadia.” She emphasised on giving telephone numbers and addresses of POs. Pathak said the women organisations should be given the responsibility of watchdogs as one PO is practically insufficient for the implementation of the Act.

A 35-year-old woman, speaking to Express Newsline on the condition of anonymity, recounted abuses she was subjected to by her in-laws after her husband died around eight months ago. She said, “A few years ago, we were given a compensation of Rs 45,000 from a company that used my husband's property to install their pipeline in Mujpur village of Padra taluka.” Adding to this, the mother of three, said that her in-laws were annoyed with her husband and her, claiming it was their property. “After being deserted by my in-laws, my husband, who was an alcoholic, went into mental depression and committed suicide,” she said.