When Mohammed Mostaque Ahmad Ronju was asked to be a member of the Sobujpara Volunteer Committee to fight atrocities against women in that area he was just 23 and still a student living in the northern district of Gaibandha. But his dynamism and efforts to establish a forum to help unemployed youth of his area were well recognised. Called Amader Somit, this co-operative society extends young persons a small loan for self-employment projects. It has greatly aided to keep the youth away from anti-social activities. Ronju’s extraordinary capacity to mobilise people has also helped to form a drama group Dhupchaya that opens up avenues for cultural activities for the youth.

The Sobujpara Volunteer Committee was set up in 1999 to settle cases of violence against women through counselling of both the victim and the perpetrator. Though the committee earned enormous respect as it was able to resolve 70 cases in a short span of time, it had to close down. But as a member, Ronju was not ready to accept this closure. His attempts to revive the committee began with active efforts to get in touch with a local development organisation that works on the same issue. Taking their advice, he formed a gender change agent group (GCA team) for his area. They began working on four critical issues: elimination of violence against women, child marriage, registration of births and registration of marriages. The committee has today found its feet and regained its stature.

He joined the ‘We Can’ campaign in 2004. To address the social concern of domestic violence more effectively, Ronju arranges regular meetings with community members and especially with elderly people. He also pays door-to-door visits to help people in trouble. Ronju has resolved five cases of violence against women, helped in registering 60 births and halted six child marriages. The chairman and the commissioner of Pourosova have supported him in his efforts. Ronju maintains that unless there is equality between the sexes, violence against women will persist and he works ceaselessly to break down gender inequities.

Ronzu, says, “I campaign on my own for change in people’s attitudes towards domestic violence because I think something needs to be done and someone needs to do it. I go from house-to-house and talk to people and students in particular. I have managed to change the perceptions of my father, my immediate family and some of my friends. I have spoken to a 1,000 families living in my neighbourhood. I am sure others will soon join me in my efforts.

My father used to be extremely impatient with my mother and would scold her at the slightest pretext. I summoned courage and told him that if I could not change the attitudes of my own family members how could I attempt to do that of others. I gave him the materials of the campaign and asked him to reconsider his attitudes. He did. And, to my surprise he talks to his friends in the central market place where he owns a shop on this issue. I see the face of change in him.”