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. I tell them not to accept violence as normal.

I confronted my neighbour who threatened to kill his wife with a sickle. He used to deprive her of all her earnings and abuse her constantly. I told her to stop surrendering her income to him. He beat her even more when she did this. She told me that this was when she realised the futility of staying with him. She has walked out on him and refuses to come back though he has been four or five times to fetch her. He does not know how to cook and needs her. But she says she plans to lead her own life, independent of him and his violence.

As I work on the issue of livelihoods, I am extremely concerned about female literacy. I know that girls in the village are keen to study and do not wish to be forced into agricultural labour or shepherding flocks. I try and convince parents to admit their girls into schools. After all how many boys actually support their parents through their lives? I ask them. But many of the parents oppose my views and do so stridently.”