A senior journalist in the Ratnagari district, she has found a new focus area: the campaign and women’s rights.

Shobhana Kambale is a senior journalist in Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra. Previously Shobhana reported on issues related to development. Now she has discovered a new niche: women’s rights. As a member of the campaign, she says she has been sensitised to gender issues and has taken up the challenge of writing and reporting on such matters. She recently published five articles in her newspaper that has been well received.

These are men whose attitudes have changed significantly.

Uday Kumar of Itpakva panchayat- Devangharh, is an active worker of Sagar Gramin Mahila Vikash Samiti. He is also part of the campaign. He says that his attitudes have changed as a result and that there have huge and unseen changes in his personal life as he respects his wife now and does not abuse her.

Sixteen year old Viniti Kumari from Siwan district used to be disappointed when girl babies were born. She says she had grown up with the belief that boys are to be treasured and the birth of girls to be mourned. She says the campaign changed thus perception and now she feels happy when women give birth to girls.

Bholiya Devi of Sherpur Diyara was harassed by Pramod Rai of same village for years. His mother too was part of his escapades and aided him in harassing women. Bholiya approached the Rashtriya Manvadhikar for help. They requested that she given police assistance. But no help came from here. Strangely, help came from campaign volunteers. They enlisted Pramod Rai into the campaign and today he is a reformed person. He no longer indulges in criminal activities and does not harass women either. The women are at peace.

Archana of Shadipur village of Munger district was rude in her earlier avatar. She would often misbehave with friends and be insensitive to their needs and wishes. Not anymore. After becoming part of the campaign she has become tolerant of others and listens to their views and respects them as well.

Ganesh Bharti is a student of class ten. He belongs to Losinghani of Nawada district. Being a member of the Yuva Parishad did not stop him from treating women badly. It was only his initiation into the campaign that changed his attitudes, he says. He says he now treats his sisters with respect and urges his friends to treat their family members and women in the community with respect.

Sagar of village Itpakka in Nawada district has studied till class ten. He is an active member of the campaign and helps with its various activities. “I feel proud to be a part of ending violence against women and I have personally settled many fights at people’s homes,” he says proudly.

Pankaj lives in Sikanderpur of Patna distrcit. He belongs to a poor family. His father is a daily wage labourer. After becoming a Change Maker, he has saved a woman from being abused by her husband. Seeing the daily beatings in his neighbourhood, he threatened to report the man. The inebriated man was sufficiently scared and has stopped misbehaving now. Pankaj says he has faith that the man’s attitude will change and he will eventually stop beating his wife not because he is scared but because he believes that he has no right to do that.

Kamlesh is a handicapped person from Birla village. He says he never allowed his wife to step out of the home as his upper class upbringing has taught him that this was accepted behaviour. But after he met up with a campaign volunteer, his rigidly held beliefs crumbled and he has begun to be less oppressive to his wife. He has now become an integral part of the campaign and helps put up posters, campaign and organise activities.

Neelu Kumari of Birabigha village in Nalanda district has been active in helping a woman who has been branded a witch in the village and socially ostracised. After being part of the campaign, she has raised her voice against this rampant practice in her village and tells people that doing such things is a serious social offence. She has helped enlist many women as Change Makers and never backs away from challenges.

Arun Kumar is a member of a youth group and is also active in an anti liquor campaign. He is now an integral part of the campaign and tries to integrate its messages into his other programmes. “It has become an inseparable part of my life,” he says.

Pinky Kumari of Vaishali is a Change Maker and no longer meekly accepts intolerance or inequality. She asks her parents why her brother is favoured over her and why he is allowed to ride a cycle while she is not.

Phool Kumari Devi of Saran district in Bihar was getting increasingly tired of her husband’s unemployment and his gambling habits. It was becoming very difficult for her to run a home. She did not know how to handle the situation. It was at this time that she came into contact with the campaign and began speaking to many of its members. They began to tell her to bring her husband across for meetings. He came to several of them and began taking an interest in the campaign material. Having read and understood it, he began to change his behaviour.

Damyanti Devi of Pandarak, Barh, is candid about her abusive behaviour towards her daughter in law. She says she used to pressurise her for dowry and verbally abuse her at every given instance. Now she says after her involvement with the campaign she has changed her attitude. She is tolerant towards her daughter in law and treats her like her own daughter.

Sarita of Raly village in Patna says she treated her children differently. Her boy would study in a private school while she made her daughter work at home. After becoming a Change Maker, she says now both her children go to private schools and her son has been groomed into household work so that he can also pitch in.

Twenty two year old Phool Kumari became sensitised to the issue of violence against women after she joined the campaign. She belongs to Ashokpur of district Khagaul in Bihar. She says she realised that her sister in law was a victim of domestic violence as her brother would constantly beat her under the influence of alcohol. She says she gathered courage once to stop him from beating his wife. But he was so enraged that he beat her too. She says she did not give up hope and began talking and reasoning with him when he was sober. He fortunately listened.

Suman says she was of the firm belief that “girls and women must stay within homes and look after the needs of the family.” She says she frowned on all freedom given to women and would not let the women in the family step out. After becoming a Change Maker she says her mindset has undergone a sea change. What changed her were the stories of abuse of young girls.

Pooja belongs to a poor dalit family. She grew up believing “she had no rights” but says that “the campaign has opened her eyes to many possibilities.” She says she now understands that she has “as many rights as the others and must learn to exercise them”. She says she has now started to learn to cycle, something she thought would never be possible in her lifetime. She faces a lot of opposition from villagers who frown on her cycling. But she says that this does not faze her now.

Kundan Kumar admits to being a “violent person before he was sensitised to the campaign”. He says he used to be “disrespectful to his mother and would be physically abusive to his sister and wife.” He says that he believed that such behaviour was acceptable and that he was well within his rights to do that. After being part of the campaign, he says he has realised the folly of his ways and has made conscious attempts to rectify his behaviour. He says the result of this is a peaceful home and smiles all round.

Sagar looks after his family business in Itpakka village in Nawada district. After he signed up as a Change Maker he has been active in spreading the campaign messages door to door and also has taken a stand against domestic violence in a home in his village. “My move has stopped the beatings in many homes and has made people realise that they can be the change,” he says. Of late, Sagar has been organising poster exhibitions.

Small steps pave way for big change. As a Change Maker Pankaj Kumar of village Sikanderpur in Patna district has stopped a man in his village from beating his wife. Because of his interventions, the husband also does not drink half as much. Pravin says he is happy to have made a difference to the women’s life.

Twenty three old Abhishek Kumar of village Brahmpura in the district of Muzaffarpur in Bihar has stood up for his sister in law who was being abused. He did this after being involved with the campaign. He has now identified two panchayats in need of attention and works to educate people on violence against women. “I also carry a poster of the campaign on my cycle and use this as a talking point.” He says he has mobilised the police personnel to pay attention to cases where women are abused so that they are not dismissed as personal issues.

“My name is Sadasivam, I live in Karur district. I am a secretary of the Youth club attached to Nehru Yuvak Kendra in my village. I was introduced to the campaign by an alliance member. After becoming a part of it, I started helping my mother at home, something I never did earlier. Then in a few years I married. By this time I had qualified as an Old Change Maker and became part of the ‘1000 Events’ initiative. I was at this point asked to list five changes I had made in my own life after becoming a Change Maker.

Shashank Srivastava of Bundelkhand, says, “My thought processes have undergone a sea change after being associated with the campaign.”

Manish Dev of Bundelkhand, says, “I am delighted to be part of the campaign. Many more people need to rally around the campaign and its issues so that there is mass support for its ideas. It is the right of every woman to be able to lead a life that is free of violence and when people join the campaign they can ensure that this truly happens.”

Rakema Khataria of Bundelkhand, says, “My family and particularly my mother would keep a strict eye over my movements. I was never allowed to go out of the home. I felt constrained and unhappy but did not know how to articulate my feelings or convince my family that I needed to explore the world. It was at this moment that I became aware of the campaign. It enabled me to find a voice and convince my family and my mother in particular on why it is important that I should be able to step out of my home and find my feet.”

Amit Arjriya of Chhatarpur, says, “A man derives his origin and identity from a woman. We should all remember this and treat women with respect and as equals. Only this can ensure societal progress.”

Malati Agarwal of Chhatarpur, says, “When I became part of the campaign, I faced a lot of opposition from members of my community. They were hostile and used to spread rumours about me that were unsavoury. I stood my ground and continued to be part of the campaign as I believe in its values. My greatest strength has been the support of my husband. Over time, other people saw the merit of what I was doing and teamed efforts with me. Today, we have managed to mobilise 51 Change Makers.”

Arjun Singh Sangher of Chhatarpur, says, “I have taken on the responsibility of speaking up on violence against women. My starting point has been my own home and the homes of my friends.”

Vikrant Singh from Tikamgarh, says, “I used to sexually harass girls and women as a student earlier. Now I realise it is wrong to do this. I do not indulge in such activities anymore and also try to persuade my friends not to do so.”

Ashok Khare from Tikamgarh, says, “I am a teacher and after I joined the campaign I have begun helping my wife with household chores.”

Sagar Jain from Tikamgarh, says, “I have changed tremendously ever since I joined the campaign. Even as I study, I help at home and even fetch water from long distances, something which women in my family have been doing for ages and without question.”

Sagar Saikia from Tikamgarh, says, “After I joined the campaign I have mended my ways. I help out at home and even clean my own room.”

Shailendra Jain from Tikamgarh, says, “After becoming part of the campaign, I have begun speaking out when women are abused in my community. I have also begun helping out at home and ensure that I do not discriminate between boys and girls in my own household.”

Vikas of Panna district, says, “After becoming part of the campaign I have become sensitive to my sister’s anxieties and problems.”

Saurabh Raikwar of Panna district, believes, “The time for silence on violence against women is over. It is time to oppose it with vigour.”

Dharmendra of Panna district says, “I respect women and the community respects me.”

Lakhwinder Singh of Panna district, says, “Unless youth take the lead in preventing and ending violence against women, nothing substantial can be achieved.”

Nidhi Rai of Panna district, says, “I have taught my brothers to make rotis and I see this as a great way forward.”

Prakash Patil from Sagar district, says, “While I sell vegetables from door to door I also talk to people about the campaign. My efforts have resulted in many people knowing about the campaign and many others joining it.”

Anil Rajput from Sagar district says, “I used to believe that women who worked to bridge the gender gap only succeed increasing tension in their own homes and in the lives of others. I have changed my opinion after I joined the campaign.”

Asish Rajouria of Sagar district, says, “I used to abuse people before I joined the campaign. I have changed now.”

Malti and Santoshi of Sagar district, say, “We are housewives and a part of the campaign. We have begun the process of change from within. We have changed my own attitudes and encourage our daughter in law to do so also.”

Rajendra Prasad of Sagar district, says, “I would never allow my daughter to attend camps organised by the Scout Guides earlier. After becoming a part of the campaign, I saw for myself how wrong I have been. The campaign members organised a camp at the school where I teach and I saw how this event benefitted the students. I now allow my daughter to be part of the Guides camp.”

Prashant of Sagar district, says, “I am the vice principle of a college. I believed that only a harsh behaviour begets results. I would often berate my colleagues and the women who worked in the college. When the campaign team visited the college to request support, my attitude was brusque and not very encouraging. But when the team left I felt bad. I requested them to come back. This is a huge change that has come over my life. I am patient and listen to the viewpoints of others.

Dipesh of Sagar district, says, “I used to whistle at girls before. My sister would scold me often for doing this but I would pay no heed to her. Once, I saw some men whistle at my sister. It saddened me and I vowed never to repeat these acts myself. The campaign has reinforced this message for me.”

Five students pursuing their Bachelors in Education in Barmer, Rajasthan, speak on ‘We Can’ has transformed cultural conversations.

SAROJ

Twenty one -year-old Rekha Rajput of Jagjeetpur village, Haridwar district in Uttaranchal sees ‘We Can’ as her personal journey of discovery and also one that ties up the collective destinies of people within her community. “In our region, women’s rights are severely curbed. There are restrictions on our movements, space and expression. The campaign allows us to seek our identities and rights within a formalised and streamlined structure in a manner that is effective. The campaign has given us the advantage of numbers. We are a large and united force now.

Eighteen year-old Soni Kathayat of Kulati village, Nainital district, in Uttaranchal, who is a student of commerce, says, “Being violent to women is not about politics, or religion and it has nothing to do with one's level of education. It's something much more elemental. There are well-educated people, incredibly caring fathers or husbands, who are violent to their daughters and wives in small and big ways. It shows them up as human beings. We need to change attitudes and practices against women that keep them suppressed and deny them their fundamental rights.

Twenty two-year-old Ritu Raj Singh of Nainbagh village in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttaranchal, says, “My family is a broadminded one and members do not discriminate against girls. But this is not true of other families in my community. Co-existence between the sexes is fraught with violence against women and other forms of discrimination. Violence against women is so inherent and ingrained in our social structures that the process of disentangling will be a difficult one. But we need to begin to address the issue.”

Prakash Pande of Bageshwar, Uttaranchal, who works for a campaign ally, says, “In Vacham village, where I work, it is appalling to see how few rights women have. After we have taken the message of ‘We Can’, women have begun negotiating spaces for themselves. It is amazing to watch this transformation and I as a Change Maker am proud to be part of the process.”

Twenty-year-old Piyali Chakrovarty, a member of Thoughtshop Foundation, an ally of the campaign, says, “The hundreds of instances of gender inequality I see around me prompted me to join the campaign. I speak to students in colleges and get them to see the full impact of violence against women in society and the eventuality of such attitudes and practices. We have so far mobilised 1,000 students to join the campaign.”

Thirty two-year-old Anita Naskar of 24 Parganas works for an outreach programme that is active in 15 districts of West Bengal. “Though the focus is on self help groups, I now take the message of ‘We Can’ to the people I work with. People from all walks of life are familiar with the campaign – rickshaw pullers, students, housewives, chemists, panchayats leaders, police, shop keepers, religious heads and teachers know what is the campaign is about. I see this as my contribution.”

Twenty seven-year-old Rameshbhai from Rajkot, Gujarat, was married some time ago. Last year, his wife was diagnosed with a severe heart problem. His parents were keen he remarry. His wife too urged him to do so. Around this time, he heard of the campaign. After becoming part of it, he refused to heed to his parent’s advice. He attended to his wife with compassion and looked after her till she passed away. “I committed to her when I married her.

Twenty five-year-old Deepa Chauhan of Amreli district, Gujarat, says, “I had no real understanding of violence before I joined the campaign. Our family has 13 members living under one roof; there are five women. I was oblivious to the violence we were subjected to on a daily basis. After I have become a facilitator of programmes for a campaign ally, inconsiderate acts towards women at home began to bother me. I began to speak up. Recently, I had a male visitor. He proposed marriage and as it is the custom he gave me Rs 50 to finalise the tie. I was appalled by this gesture.

Dhanam, a transgender individual with a female identity, is a post graduate student at the Social Initiative and Management (CSIM) in Chennai. “The Indian Constitution provides freedom in every sphere of life to both men and women. But it is clear that women get left behind in every field, particularly in issues related to reproductive health and sexuality. Sexuality is an important part of our lives – whether we explore, deny or celebrate it. I work to address issues of sex and sexuality and raise awareness on AIDS.

A .Abubecker of Chennai, says, “Self help groups have forged a relationship between financially deprived sections of society and financial institutions in Tamil Nadu. They have a huge presence in out state. Our organisation, an ally of the campaign, works with 365 self help groups and 6,000 women. This is a form of socio-economic engineering that is very essential. We are now taking the message of the campaign to the people through self help groups. The message has reached a large number of people.”

Says, Janaki of PCVC, a campaign ally, Chennai, “The practice of dowry continues to impede gender equality. It is sad that marriages are still considered financial transactions. Many women have to even die because their families are unable to fulfill dowry demands. One cannot help but be struck by the offhand way in which a young woman’s life is ended. My work with a campaign ally exposes me to many such instances. It is extremely disturbing. Rape is another crime that happens with regularity but goes unreported. The process of recovery is slow and painful.

Forty five-year-old Bindu Devi of Khagariya district of Bihar, says, “Assertion by women in matters such as political representation, gender equality and property rights is resulting in "witch-hunts”, where the victims are often women of the weaker sections. Though I have just joined the campaign, I have been working on the issue for over 20 years. People do not consider it a crime to kill women in this fashion and there have been instances where the women have been burnt in public.

Twenty four-year-old Janardhan Nayak Ganjam of Bhubaneswar, Orissa, says, “I was a very shy person and would never speak to the opposite sex. Even at college my interaction with girls was very limited. After I joined the campaign I have lost my inhibitions and have traveled to 20 districts to spread the message of the campaign. Earlier, parents would never allow their girls to socialise or be part of any campaign. We have managed to convince them about the need to allow girls to move out of their homes and support causes they believe in. My own mother was very conservative.

Forty year-old Purandhar of Raigarh in Orissa has been working for a campaign ally and his area of work is empowering self help groups. “I joined the campaign as I have first hand exposure to violence that women face in many situations and in many sectors. As part of the campaign, I have helped, along with others, a widow. She was struggling to make both ends meet and was keen to retain the house she was living. When a law was passed to ensure land for the landless, we helped her secure the house she has living for many years.”

Kartik Meshram is a resident of Serasghat village, district Bhandara in Maharashtra. He is a painter by profession and belongs to an extremely conservative family. Married for 12 years, he is the father of three girls. His family and he were very unhappy as a result. Kartik was keen on a male offspring but had put off having a child because of the family’s precarious financial situation. It was at time that he became part of ‘We Can’. The campaign changed his perspective. He is no longer keen to have a son.

Jyoti Chopker lives in Kothurna village of district Bhandara in Maharashtra. This 38-year-old women has studied till class seven, is the wife of a farmer and a mother of three girls and a boy. Her world, before she became an active member of ‘We Can’, was limited to house, the agricultural farm and attending meetings of the Mahila Vikash Parishad as husband was not open to her going out of the home. While attending a Parishad meeting, she was introduced to ‘We Can’.

I am Toshi Sakharkar and live in a slum in Jogi Nagar, Nagpur district, in Maharashtra. I have studied only till class four. I have spent the last three years working as a barefoot counselor dealing with cases relating to violence against women. As a member of Mahila Vikas Parishad, a regional network and people’s organisation working on women’s issues, I have helped in setting up a family counseling centre in the community. We have had to handle many cases of violence against women. I would like to recount one to show how severe the abuse it.

Twenty-two-year-old Shiva, says, “It is a common misconception that violence within relationships is not a crime, or that the victim is in some way to blame for it. We need to challenge this in order to build a more respectful and responsible society. I myself used to be harsh with my mother. I used to disrespect her and would not listen to her. But after being sensitised to the campaign, my attitudes have changed. As my mother falls ill often, I have begun helping with household chores. I have even learned to cook and wash dishes.

“Violence against women is a barrier to education for millions of young girls. The situation is distressing. I see so many girls around me who are keen to study but are not given a chance. As a member of the campaign, I am making efforts to talk to families in my neighbourhood and getting them to register their daughters in schools. I hope in my own humble way, I can help girls attend school and gain an education.”

Seventeen-year-old Naushad Ali, says, “ I talk about intimate partner violence to my friends and my neighbours. I know I am very young but these issues affect the youth and children as much as they affect women. So there is a need to talk of such issues. At this stage, I am not sure if what I say will have any impact but I am determined to try. Violence against women not only takes a direct physical form, but it is also psychological and includes the deprivation of basic needs. We live in a society where all forms of violence against women are accepted as the norm and normal.

Nineteen-year-old Veeru Prajapati, says, “ I was distressed to learn that I was being violent to women without being aware of it. The campaign taught me how little acts of ours can be very damaging – expecting to be served food without helping to cook it; not helping with washing the dishes or household chores and not allowing women the freedom to step out of their homes. I realised that I was party to all these little acts and grew ashamed. I now ensure I help at home. I take my sisters for outings – something I would never do earlier.

Nineteen-year-old Asghar Ali of Kalandar Colony, says, “ The campaign has convinced me that we need to change attitudes – both ours and of those around us. I have changed my attitudes and my world view, I truly hope others do too.”

Eighteen-year-old Mohammad Shabib, says,” I used to make lewd comments when girls passed by. I realise now how distasteful this is. I now know that sexually harassing conduct causes devastating physical and psychological injuries to women, violates her dignity and subordinates women to men in society. I now talk to friends and persuade them not to sexually harass women.”

Eighteen-year-old Shabnam Ishaq from Sundernagari, says, “ I am uneducated. I was never sent to school by my parents. I know this to be a kind of violence and recognise the injustice. I cannot do very much to remedy my illiteracy at this stage but I now stand up for my sister-in-law when my brother assaults her. I have taken to telling him that I could be in the same situation tomorrow. This has stopped him from beating her. For me and my sister-in-law, this is an enormous change. We are much happier now.”

Twenty two-year-old Ashraf, says, “ I spent some days in jail for sexually harassing a girl. I do realise now that this behaviour is unacceptable and undermines the self esteem and confidence of a woman. I know that even an isolated instance can make a woman feel demeaned. I was also upset for putting my parents through such indignity. I will never repeat such an act ever in my life. I hope to dissuade some of my friends from doing this as well.”

Twenty-year-old Sunita from Jehangirpuri is keen to study. “I am not content just learning to cook, clean and swab. I do not just want to remain within the circle and boundary of my home. I have ambitions for myself. I have started teaching children and use the money I earn to pay my college fees. I am in my first year of college. I want to make something of my life and the campaign is holding out hope that I can do it.”

“I stopped attending school as my parents insisted that I help with household work. My four brothers, however, go to school and do nothing at home. I now request them to help me with the household work. They don’t most times but sometimes they do. It is a beginning. I hope I can resume my studies one day.”

Eighteen-year-old Preeti Rana, says, “ My father’s friend would visit our home regularly. We sisters found him offensive as he would leer at us and come visiting us when none of the elders or parents were at home. One day, I told my father about him. He, however, refused to believe me. But when he returned home early one day and found his friend at home, it struck him that we were telling the truth. He rebuked his friend and asked him to stop visiting our home. More important, now my father listens to us and hears us out.”

Nineteen-year-old Manmohan Kumar from Kalandi Colony, admits to demanding food and being attended to at home. “I was unmindful of the hurt I was causing. Now I know better. I am moderate in my speech and am trying to help with household chores.”

Shamma Parveen, Coordinator, Mahila Panchayat Programme, says, “I am married into a conservative Muslim family. Initially they found it hard to accept that I was well educated and knew my mind. During the period of Ramadaan, I used to be made to maintain my roza (fast) alone -- away from the rest of the family. But all this has changed now as I consciously opened up channels of communication and made them aware that I was as much part of the family as they were. They have, over the years, learnt to accept me and my views. I now work long hours as well.

Sanjib Kumar Ghosh, Campaign Coordinator, Task Force on Women and Violence, Bhubaneswar, says, “We have been taking the message of the campaign to several colleges in Orissa through a programme called Udaan (Flight). Using the forum of the National Social Service (NSS), we address the students through informal presentations. I do most of the presentations myself. Unlike a formal presentation, where the speaker speaks to his audience I try to engage the college students. The idea make the exchange interesting, relaxed and enjoyable. I get them to share their opinions and dreams.

“I belong with Banpur, Angada, Ranchi. I am the eldest in my family. My parents have struggled to educate us, earning from farming and bricklaying. People in our village live hard lives and the atmosphere is rife with tension. Violence against women is common in my society. I have always been disturbed by people disrespecting and abusing women but did not know how to handle it. I volunteered my services for a campaign ally and through them I learnt of the campaign. As a Change Maker, I have pledged not to encourage or perpetuate violence against women.

“I have lived all my life in Namkom Khijri, New Anandpur in Ranchi. I am the youngest child of my parents and have led an extremely sheltered life. Alongside my studies, I decided to work at a printing house and also dabbled with electronics. I would give all my earnings to my parents. Early in life, I fell in love with a girl in my neighbourhood. Though she reciprocated my feelings, I discovered that I was not the only she was seeing. I was very disappointed. Then I met a girl who I came to care for deeply. She had been married earlier but separated.

“I spent my childhood in Hathiya in Ranchi. They were the happiest years of my life. My parents never discriminated against me and I never felt inferior to anyone. The situation in my neighbour's house was, however, different. They got their son married to a responsible and well-mannered girl. They were all praises for her initially. But when her first child was stillborn, love turned to hostility. The family began ill treating her. Though she did have three children after that, they continued berating and abusing her. They would even call her mother names and speak harshly to her.

“My life has not been an easy one. After the death of my father, we fell upon very hard times. I was forced to work as a domestic help. The family I worked with treated me very badly and subjected me to long hours of work and physical abuse. I then worked as a casual labourer for a while. I then was married to Bablu Kumar of Jaganathpur. He did not spare me either. He took to abusing me daily. It was at this time that I heard about the campaign. After being sensitised, I was determined not to withstand abuse. I left my husband’s home.

“I live in Ganyor and I have completed my schooling. My parents work as labourers. The campaign has become a significant part of my life today. My induction into the campaign began like this -- one day while returning home, I saw a man beating his wife mercilessly. She was beseeching him to stop. But her cries made him more aggressive. I was very perturbed. There were a lot of questions that crowded my mind. Why was she tolerating this? As a husband, why was the man abusing his wife in her own home?

“ I live in Patna. I would like to recall an incident in my life. I was traveling with two friends by train to take the civil services examination. After a while, two girls came in and sat in our compartment. Three boys joined us later. They began teasing the girls. At first their assaults were verbal. Then they began to molest the girls. My friends and I could not bear to see this. We tried to reason with the boys but they began to hit us. A bloody fight broke out. I was badly injured. Seeing the damage they had done, the boys fled in panic.

“ I live in Hembram in Hathiya. I have enlisted as a Change Maker. I take part in events related to the campaign and talk to people about violence in homes and discrimination against girls. I stopped a man from beating his wife. It may be a small step – but I think it will help others learn that such behaviour is not acceptable.”

“I live in Hathiya. I have been witness to the violence inflicted upon my sister by her husband. The situation got so bad that she lost her mental stability. Her two children lived terrible lives for a while. I do try to help them whenever I can. As a Change Maker, I also hope I can help improve the lives of others. I speak to as many people as possible and help them understand the implications of violence. Whenever I carry the campaign bag to college, people always stop me and ask me what the bag says. I tell them about the campaign and its significance.”

“I teach in Hathiya, Ranchi. I have been witness to domestic violence in my own home. My father married twice and he used to abuse my mother daily. I would be terribly upset but did not know what to do. As a Change Maker for the campaign, I now understand the full implications of violence and try to address it in little ways that I can. I talk to my father and try and make him understand that violence is not acceptable. I was approached by a woman who was branded a witch for help. I took her to the campaign ally and together we all filed a police complaint.

Twenty-year-old Bijetri Bose is a student of economics at Jadavpur University in West Bengal. She has attended a series of trainings on gender and violence organised by a campaign ally and has facilitated two events to mobilise 77 Change Makers. She has spoken to a number of friends and classmates about the campaign and motivated many of them to come for events. “The campaign makes me feel good! When I am talking to people I feel very confident. I was always very shy. Becoming confident is the most significant change in me. I stay alone in the city and move about alone.

Twenty one-year-old Biplab studies in Baruipur college in West Bengal. He has attended a series of trainings on gender and violence organised by the campaign ally. “Like other boys, I too would tease and harass girls and this was the only way I knew how to interact with them. As a person too I was an introvert and had a low self esteem. Now my friends in college comment that I am not the same Biplab! They see me talking to girls often. But the difference is now I know how to interact with them with dignity and confidence. The campaign has helped me to do that.

Twenty one-year-old Monalisa Halder lives in Dumdum in West Bengal and has just completed her BA examination at Derozio College. “The campaign has give me self confidence and a sense of stability. I don’t see myself as a girl but as a human being now. Earlier I would volunteer to do all the housework and discourage my father and brother from helping out. I believed that it was my duty as a girl to do such tasks. Now I feel it is okay to ask for help. I have also made many friends after attending campaign meetings.

Twenty two-year-old Vineeta Saraf studies social work at Vidyasagar College in West Bengal. “Earlier I used to think that in order to bring about change we need to shout slogans and make a big hue and cry so that people listen. Now I feel that a change in attitudes can be brought about more subtly and effectively in the form of interactive sessions with groups of people. Little things have made me realise that that I have unknowingly been perpetuating this ‘discrimination against women attitude’.

wenty nine-year-old Shahana Nag is trained in psychological counselling and is currently pursuing an MSc Degree in West Bengal. “The campaign has given me a better understanding of gender based discrimination. It has been a learning experience to hear different groups - young men, married women’s --responses’ to the issue. It is a challenging task we have undertaken I am keen to take this campaign to more and more communities.”

Twenty eight- year- old Dileep Chakravorty lives in a village two hours away from Calcutta. He has studied up to class eight and is the store keeper and office boy at Thoughtshop Foundation, a campaign ally. At first, he used to attend campaign meetings as part of his job but soon got interested for his own sake and began participating actively. He helps organise events and talk to people. “This campaign has helped me come to terms with my own life. I have been married for eight years. During the first few years of my marriage I was unemployed. Those were hard times financially.

Eighteen-year-old Sahadeb Mistry lives with his parents and studies in class ten at the Dhamnagar Jitendranath Sardar Bidyaniketan in Balakhali in West Bengal. He is a good student and takes part in a host of extra-curricular activities promoted by the school. He is well versed in first aid and is keen to promote cleanliness within his community. Human rights has remained an area of special interest. As a Change Maker with the campaign, he has been active in designing posters with the campaign messages.

Eighteen-year-old Palash Naskar has completed class ten. He has enlisted as a Change Maker and is keen to pursue an education in Baruipur College. He says that he is first trying to talk to his family members to bring about change. He has begun by talking to his grandfather about his girl friends and their problems. “ I tell him about the things we talk on the phone and their concerns. It helps him understand modern day issues and helps me to clear my thoughts. I intervened when a neighbour’s family chastised their daughter for being too outspoken.

Eighteen-year-old Mohammed Arshad lives with his parents and three siblings, two brothers and a sister in Baruipur. He has studied in Thomas Day High School and has now joined the Padmapukur Institution. He has recently enrolled himself for a BCA degree at the Merchant and Marine Academy. Greatly inspired by his friend Azeem’s father, he set up a Youths United Voluntary Action ( YUVA ) two years ago with the help of five friends. They started with a small survey on educational levels in the community and soon launched their own coaching classes, teaching Hindi, Bengali and Urdu.

Twenty three old Naveen Jhajharia lives with his father and an elder brother and sister. He has completed his MSC in Psychology and is deeply interested in social work. As a Change Maker, he says he faces a lot of hostility from boys and men who are reluctant to change their attitudes. “I try to change the prejudices of students that I tutor and even put up a fight to ensure the rights of my sister at home. I too have had to battle gender stereotypes with regard to his choice of career. People ridicule what I do. But I am resolute in my purpose.

Twenty eight-year-old Vidya of Keesara village, Nalagonda district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I have three sisters and a brother. While he studied in an English medium school, we girls studied in a school where the language of instruction was Telugu. After I became involved with the campaign, I took home many of the communication materials of the campaign, especially the kit. My parents looked at them and listened to my comments attentively. They expressed regret for not having given us girls the same education and allowing us to achieve the same level of independence and empowerment.

Eighteen-year-old B Kavitha of Chowdaripatti village, Nalagonda district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “Before becoming part of the campaign, I was accustomed to remaining silent at home and accepting everything I was told. But now I request my father to accommodate my mother’s needs and hear her out so that her opinions can also be taken into account. I have been explaining the contents of the campaign communication material to people in village in the hope that men in other families will do the same as my father. I do not know whether I will succeed but I am trying.”

Twenty one-year-old, Siddheshwar of Mariguddam village, Nalagonda district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I never realised how grave the issue of violence against women is until recently. At a workshop on AIDS organised by an ally of the campaign, I was sensitised to the seriousness of the issue and the connections between AIDS and violence against women, particularly domestic violence. I have now begun speaking publicly on the issue; I am in touch with 300 people within my community. The result is that women are gaining courage to speak out on violence and AIDS.

Twenty one- year-old Swamignand of Dattaipalli village, Nalagonda district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I considered violence against women as normal before I became a member of an ally of the campaign. Now I fully recognise the repercussions of a woman being abused and the enormity of the damage that it causes, both within the family and in the larger society. A group of us have transformed our cultural sangam into a youth sangam where our focus has been now realigned to motivate girls to study. In our village, parents stop girls from studying after class eight when they reach puberty.

Twenty one-year-old Srinivas of Thalaguddam village, Yadagirigutta mandala, Nalagonda district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I see discrimination against girls in my own family. My uncle treats his girl children differently. They study in local schools, are denied privileges extended to the boys, get few clothes and have restricted mobility. I am trying to convince my uncle to change.”

Twenty year-old Sunita of Vangapalli village, Nalagonda district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “A man in my village lived with this woman for years but denied being married to her or their children being his. It made for an unfortunate situation. The defenseless woman did not know what to do. One of the campaign’s Change Makers approached an advocate and sent the man a legal notice and even managed to get him a sentence in jail. His family reciprocated by slapping charges on the woman and her family. The situation has been now resolved amicably.

Twenty eight-year-old Hari of Yadagirigutta mandala, Nalagonda district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “It is important that women learn to articulate their needs and demand their rights. Only this will ensure that both men and women are considered as equals.”

Twenty two year-old Kavita of Yadagirigutta mandala, Nalagonda district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “My brother-in-law used to abuse my sister. In their ten years together, he has beat her several times and sent her home as well. After being sensitised to the campaign’s issues, I summoned courage and spoke to him. I told him I was speaking up because domestic violence is not a private matter but one that affects both our families adversely. I expected to be treated harshly. But to my surprise he seems to have understood. I did the same thing with my younger sister’s husband.

Seventeen-year-old Rangamma of Raykullakunta village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “My mother, too, initially refused me permission to study in college. The college, she argued, is away from our village. She was worried that I would be subject to sexual harassment. I assured her that I could take care of myself and showed her the campaign communication material to convince her that girls need to be empowered to fight their own battles. I am proud to say that now I will be the first girl in my family to go to college.

Twenty three-year-old Nazeer of Badrapalli village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “My neighbour used to abuse his wife everyday. He hurled unmentionable verbal abuses and beat her mercilessly. I urged my neighbours to intervene after the campaign sensitised me to the fact that domestic violence is not a private issue but everyone’s business. We spoke to the wife and told her to find a way to be economically independent of him. She set up a stall and began selling dosas. This has given her a new identity and a way to free her dependence on him.

Seventeen-year-old Lakshmi Devi of Malavay village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “After being made aware of the campaign issues, I have begun speaking in public about domestic violence, HIV and child marriage. I have got children involved in plays on these issues. I have also helped halt a child getting married. My friend was just 15 years old and her father was keen to marry her to an older man who had been married earlier. My friend learned that he had ill treated his first wife. As my friend did not have a mother, she approached me for help. I confronted her father.

Seventeen-year-old Uma Devi, a teacher in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I am a teacher of class seven. One day, I was upset to see one of my students crying uncontrollably. She talked about the unhappy situation in her home. Her father, she said, drank a lot, abused her mother, and was not willing to contribute to the family income or send her to school. Her distress bothered me immensely. I went to her home and spoke with her mother first. Then I spoke with her father the next day. He was extremely rude and told me to go away. But I persisted.

Mahesh, Centre for Rural Studies and Development (CRSD), Teedipalli village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I use the kit to talk to the community members and students of class nine and ten. I do hope I can make a difference. Young girls have a million questions to ask but are shy. They have questions on sex, AIDS, their rights and other issues but are not able to voice them. I make them understand that its all right to ask questions and no subject is taboo. I tell them that after marriage they should be prepared to combat domestic violence.

Sixteen-year-old Sunni Begum, 16, Katiwarpalli village, Ganlapenta mandal, Kadri district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “Villagers ask me why I associate with the campaign instead of focusing on studies and so do my own parents. My argument is that this is as important as my studies. If we do not show solidarity with other women, violence will never end. We need to speak up for each other and be a support system for one another. I talk to my relatives, neighbours and friends despite the ridicule I face.”

P Murali Mohan, Gorepalli village, Nallamana mandal, Kadri district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “When I took the campaign kit home, my parents were very excited and urged me to pass on the message to others. I began speaking to my relatives, friends and people in the community and they respond to me in a positive manner. They hear me out and say what they feel too. We discuss issues at length and try and understand them better. It is critical to elicit community support to end domestic violence against women.”

Prabhavati, 19, Kadri town, Andhra Pradesh, says, “Domestic violence is part of every family in our area. It happens in my home too. Girls in our village are not sent to school. They are discriminated from birth. For this very reason, my neighbour did not want to go through with her pregnancy when she discovered she was having a girl. My friends and I managed to convince her to have the baby. But we still need to ensure equal rights for women. It’s easy to persuade someone to give birth to girl children. But can we ensure they have decent and secure lives?

Seventeen-year old Babaji, Vellikhallamalla village, Kadri, Andhra Pradesh, says, “When our neighbour beats his wife after a bout of heavy drinking, people in our neighbourhood have taken to protesting collectively. We have done this after hearing and understanding the campaign. We have seen that pressure by the community stalls further incidents. We have averted a crisis in two homes. I have begun speaking about domestic violence in my college. It is a boy’s college and though some of my lecturers frown on my activities, I persist.”

S Srinivasan of Kadri, Andhra Pradesh, says, “In my village, alcoholism is rampant. Men drink heavily and assault their wives. They do not give any part of their earnings to their wives. Worse they take away all that a woman earns. Girls are also forced to discontinue studies. There are a lot of problems to be addressed. It is an uphill task but I hope to help in a small way.”

M Ramanamma of, Rural and Environment Development Society (REDS), Mottukupalli village, Kadri, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I used to trade in cloth earlier and would make constant trips to Mumbai. A couple of times, I was approached by agents to help them traffick girls. I refused. But I became aware of the dark trafficking nexus that existed and how women are being exploited. I was determined to help such women seek alternate employment. I joined an NGO and helped women who had fallen victim to trafficking find other jobs. I have spoken to them about AIDS and about protection.

J C Gangappa, 30, Chatakuntapalli, Nallamada mandal, Kadri district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I have taken the lead in talking to college students and youth in my community about AIDS. While I do that I also talk of violence within homes. I have seen in one of the families in my neighbourhood both the husband and wife earn Rs 30 per day. While the husband drinks the money away, the wife spends it on the household. I went up to the husband and explained the unfairness of the situation. The husband admitted that his actions were unfair.”

Akram, 22, Thummala village, Amadagru mandal, Kadri district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “My sister wanted to abort her baby when she learnt it was a girl. But I convinced her and my brother in law not to take such a decision. The campaign has helped me understand the importance of saving girl children. My sister is well educated. It is a pity that even people like her think like this. We need to work to better the lives of girls so that women and men welcome girl children.”

P Uma Devi and Maheshwari, Nallamada village, Kadri district, Andhra Pradesh, say, “One of the students in our school had taken to harassing a teacher. In normal circumstances, we would have remained quiet. The campaign, has, however, taught us to speak up. We students did and the student was hauled for disciplinary action. We speak up at home as well when our fathers behave badly towards our mothers – earlier we would have just suffered in silence.”

G Nagaraju, 27, Thiramalapuram village, Kammam district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “My neighbour beats his wife regularly. He remains ill most of the time and blames his wife for his deteriorating condition saying that she practices witchcraft on him. It is extremely sad to see a husband condemn his own wife and level such base allegations against her.”

Shailaja, 22, Nagaluwancha, Kammam district, health worker, Society for the Upliftment of the Needy (SUN), says, “My friend escaped a rape attempt by her father’s friend. This is the kind of unsafe atmosphere that women live in. As a health worker, I feel I also need to talk of domestic violence to the women as most women are abused in their homes. Female foeticide is also common here and it will take a while before women feel comfortable about bringing girls into their families.”

Shivarama Krishna Prasad, Mangapuram village, Kammam district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I would like to tell you about this case that came up in the panchayat. A girl agreed to get married on the condition that she would be allowed to study further. After the wedding, however, both her husband and her in-laws forced her to work in the fields. Her classmates were upset with this. As they are associated with the campaign, they felt they ought to do something. They together went to the girl’s house and reasoned with the family members.

Swati, 20, of the Society for the Upliftment of the Needy (SUN), Nagaluvancha village, Kammam district, says, “I prevented a child marriage. I was married off at the age of fifteen and faced innumerable problems. When I heard that a young girl was being married, I could emphatise with the trauma that the girl would have gone through. So I was determined not to allow this marriage. I complained to the authorities and stalled it. I also speak up at home when I feel my husband is being unreasonable or unjust.”

K Prabhakar Rao, Standing Counsel, Kammam District Court, Kammam district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “My involvement with the campaign began as the result of a speech I gave on women’s rights. People were impressed and asked me to join in the campaign. I plan to direct my efforts towards setting up a team of people who can help women file applications and attend to other paperwork. I know that sustaining this effort will be difficult but we can at least try.

K Guruvayya, Muttagudam village, Kammam district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “A man in our neighbourhood tried to rape a woman in our area. People in the neighbourhood saved her in time. All of us gathered and lodged a police complaint. We even regularly went for court hearings. The man’s family tried to bribe some of us but none of us accepted their offer. My daughter was an eye witness of the event and the man’s family used to threaten me often and frighten me by saying that they would kidnap my daughter. But I remained steadfast.

Meraamma, Magullavancha village, Kammam district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I was only fifteen when I got married. My mother was widowed and felt this was the correct thing to do. My husband beat me regularly. He would drink and visit brothels. Worse still, he would not contribute to the household expenses. I have three girls and my in-laws would threaten to get my husband a second wife so that she could bear them grandsons. I bore all this humiliation silently. I supported the family selling kerosene and petrol on the roadside.

Venkateshwarlu, 25, Peddagopati village, Kammam district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “My sister’s husband was extremely abusive to her. He would drink heavily and squander all the family finances. For years my sister has been staying with us. After becoming a Change Maker, I decided to change my brother in law’s attitudes. I went to him after years of silence between the families. I took the campaign materials. In the beginning he was dismissive and would sneer at everything we said. When we threatened to file a case he mellowed down.

Ram Lal of Tehri Garhwal says, “I use the medium of traditional folk lore -- especially puppets -- to take messages of social concerns to people. Domestic violence as an issue needs to be brought out into the open so that the secrecy that shrouds it is shattered. Folk lore can help break the awkwardness and the taboos on the subject and get people talking on the issue. Women in many ways are like puppets – they have no freedom of movement or a voice of their own.”

Thirty two-year-old Vidya of Dhumnagar village, Dehradun, Uttaranchal, says, “I suffered domestic violence. My husband used to beat me and so would my in laws. My husband fell ill and remains sick even now most times. To support my three children, I sold alchohol for many years. Then I came in contact with the local NGO here who helped me find my feet and identity. I supported the family by working in the fields and the NGO as well. After coming into contact with the campaign allies and the campaign material, I have also gained an identity as a person.

Twenty year-old Rita of Lakhanwalla village, Dehradun, Uttaranchal, says, “I never used to step out of the house earlier. The campaign has given me the courage to go out alone, communicate with others and even speak to boys.”

Ajay of Sahaspur, Dehradun, Uttaranchal, says, “After associating with the campaign, I have pledged not to take dowry and advise others families to do the same.”

Forty nine-year-old Raj Rani of Sahaspur, Dehradun, Uttaranchal, says, “My husband was an alcoholic. He committed suicide leaving me with a son to look after. My mother in law tried to burn me after that. But I have survived these traumas. I wanted to end my life at one time. But now I live my life on my own terms. As a widow, I am expected to wear drab colours and restrict my movements. But I do not. As a Change Maker, I am trying to encourage women to look upon themselves as individuals. I treat my two daughters in laws with respect.”

Twenty three-year-old Parveen of Dakrani in Dehradun and an employee of Disha, says, “I was married a month ago. Earlier I would have been content staying at home. After I have been involved in the campaign, I am not happy with just doing that. I plan to continue working and help women who are in need of help. I think we can each contribute to making women empowered.”

Mehraj Khatun of Dakrani in Dehradun, says, “I studied till class five and quit school. After I volunteered to become a Change Maker, I decided to resume my studies. I have taken the initiative to persuade other parents to readmit their children in school.”

Shahnaz of Sultanpur Chilkhana in Dehradun and an employee of Disha, says, “I was married when I was very young. I was illiterate and kept in purdah. My first husband deserted me when I had just had a son. I was left defenceless. I married a second time, only to be abandoned again when I was pregnant. I was defeated and lost all hope. But I learned to toughen up. I started working for the local NGO and the staff gave me enormous moral support. Now I am learning to read on my own. I am amazed at the fact that now I can read with ease. I am no longer vulnerable.

As part of our outreach programme at Sahyog, we interact with women belonging to Self Help Groups at Shankargarh in Allahabad. We spoke to them about the ‘We Can’ campaign and Change Makers. The women were extremely keen to become Change Makers particularly after hearing that there are around 40 million women missing from our country due to discrimination, neglect and violence. They also displayed enormous interest in the communication material, especially the kits. One day, I visited them just as they had finished work and were leaving for their respective homes.

Twenty-one-year-old Shimla is the youngest at home. She has two older brothers and three sisters. She, too, lives in the village of Lakkhanwala that is in the Sahaspur block of Dehradun. Sadly, for her, life at home is fraught with tension. She has to bear up with a drunken father. Though he works in the government-owned electricity department, he spends his all money on alcohol. Her elder brother recently died in a car accident and his family depends on them. The younger brother and his wife resent contributing to the family’s finances and always pick up quarrels.

“I remember college where all my female friends used to get harassed by a group of boys who used to wait for them at the gates. They would come to me crying with thoughts of leaving college. One day I got really mad (laughing) and I went up to them and shouted so much so that they never dared to do it again!

The teachers say: “The Women’s Development Cell began as an initiative to set up workshops with our students. We now have weekly sessions, where we spread the word of the “We Can’ campaign and make efforts to raise awareness on issues such as ending violence against women, human rights and eve teasing.

Mishanbhai Satabhai Bhavadia, Surendranagar, Gujarat, says, “When I first started going to the meetings, I realised how wrong it was to lose my temper and hit my wife. I also realised that changes in our village will begin only if we make changes in our lives at home.

Manju Tanganga, Kishanghar, Ajmer, says, “My husband passed away four years ago. After that, many things changed … I wasn’t wanted anymore … my in-laws forced me out of my home and my child was taken away from me. I spoke to Geeta who returned my child to me and even managed to get part of my dowry back. It was only after meeting her, that I realised I’m not alone: many other women have suffered much more than I have, and it is my duty to fight for them just as she’d fought for me.

Roshan, Kishanghar, Ajmer, says, “I have seen a lot of sadness: in my life and in the lives of others. I was helped through my sadness and am now I try and help others through theirs.

You know, in such a situation it is important to stay united and fight for those less fortunate than us. The ‘We Can’ campaign has helped to keep us united and give us focus so that we can keep moving forward with our efforts.”

Kulsum Bibi, Chadakamahala village, Sultanagar, Orissa

Women in despair flock to 40-year-old Kulsum Bibi of Chadakamahala, Sultanagar, Orissa, for solace and support. She is their confidant, friend and a person one who helps them find direction in their lives. All the women in the village fondly refer to her as phufi or aunt.

Santosh is a 22-year-old student of Shree Baldev Degree College in Varanasi. When he joined the college, he was extremely perturbed by the hostile atmosphere of the college campus to girl students. The male students subjected most of them to sexual harassment and humiliation and they feared going to the library and even the girls’ common room. Many of them were even forced to abandon their studies midway. Although the issue was brought to the notice of the college administration several times, the administration did little to remedy it.

When she was old enough to understand things, Punam Toppo’s mother told her a tale that was to leave a mark on her life forever. Her mother told her of how the family had taunted and cursed her for giving birth to a third daughter. She spoke with pain of how on a warm summer night, while the family slept, she had stolen away to the fields determined to kill both her child and herself. But all she had done was cry till she had no tears left and return home dry-eyed and with a name for her newborn child.

Shabnoor Bibi’s small frame and frail looks are deceptive. Beneath that gentle exterior she hides a resolve that is hard as steel. In her 25 years of life, she has managed to take in her stride the hard realities of day-to-day living and is hopeful of doing the same in the future.

Kajal lives in Bhopal. Two years ago she befriended a girl called Nisha. One day Nisha confided in her that her parents were keen to get her married but she did not like the bridegroom. Kajal initially tried to persuade her to marry the man arguing that her parents did not mean her any harm. But seeing Nisha growing despondent by the day, Kajal requested her aunt to speak to Nisha’s father who had a violent temper. But Nisha’s father remained adamant and all efforts to call of the marriage failed.

Mehraj Khatun lives in the remote village of Dakrani, Vikasnagar block in Dehra Dun district of Uttaranchal. A student of the Rajkiya Inter College, she is 17-years-old and studies in class 11. Her father, Sher Muhamad encourages her to study though he has nine other children. His attitude defies all social norms (which frown on educating girls) and the orthodox attitudes in the community. Girls rarely study beyond class five. The villagers are vehement in their condemnation of Mehraj’s education. They see it as a waste of time and effort.

Geeta’s mother works as a daily wage labourer and her father repairs tyres for a living. They belong to the Regar community. After Geeta completed her class 10 in school, her parents got her married. Geeta was still in her teens.

At 20, Gangaben Kesha Gothi has come a long way from being a young bride with an education only till class three. She is now a person who can take decisions on her life and handle crisis situations adeptly. Her story reads like this. She was married in the Satha Paditi tradition where a brother and sister of one family are married to a brother and sister of another family. Her 40-year-old husband Dhanjibhai brought her to his home in Salari Gam, Rapar, soon after she attained puberty and when she was pronounced “fit to live with him.” It was the beginning of her miseries.

Eighteen-year-old Mumtaz was born in Chilkana village in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. She is the fourth among the six children in the family. Her father runs a small foundry in the village. After Mumtaz completed her school, she joined the Girls Degree College in Saharanpur town, 15 kms from her village. Mumtaz would go to college with two of her friends Meena and Swati.