Seventeen year-old Lavvanya of Raykullakunta village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, says, “I have been trying to mobilise Change Makers in the community ever since I have heard about the campaign. I wanted to ensure there are ten people but so far only two people have volunteered to be Change Makers. I am saddened by the fact that in my village only six girls attend school. The rest of them are forced to quit to either help at home or in fields.

My neighbour is an alcoholic and he beats up his wife severely. I could not bear to watch it. I gathered five of my friends and together we approached the man. We explained how violence impacts negatively on homes and with the help of the Change Makers kit we were able to explain the kinds of violence that women undergo. He reacted with extreme anger. He abused us and told us we were mere children who should not be interfering in other people’s family matters. We did not cow down to his threats and instead threatened to report him to the police. After this episode, he has cut down his drinking and not does create unruly scenes. ”

I see women in my own family being abused. My uncle subjects his wife to both physical and emotional abuse. I approached him with the campaign communication materials and urged him to stop abusing his wife. He was taken aback as I had never ever spoken to him on such issues. He has actually stopped beating her now.”