Seventeen-year-old Shahana of Jummapara village in Gaibandha, says,” My family was terribly opposed to the idea of my joining the campaign but they have overcome their reservations after I have convinced them of its relevance to me and to other girls like me. We girls still live under the shadow of fear and we need to move away to a less fearful world. After I became a Change Maker, neighbours often approach me for advice on sick children and when they need help to write letters. I use this opportunity to raise issues of domestic violence. I am proud to say that I have helped out five women in distress.

There are a lot of others in my village who object to my joining the Jummapara Krida Sanstha, the local club (from where I heard of the campaign), arguing that clubs are meant only for boys. But I persist in going to the club as it opens up new worlds and ideas to me. For instance, the members of the club have sensitised me to the importance of dowry-free marriages. I tried my best to talk a relative out of taking dowry. I did not succeed. I was scolded harshly and told that it was part of our culture. Similarly, even when members of our club collectively raise their voices against dowry, we do not succeed. The concerned families conduct marriages on the sly in other villages so that it does not come to our notice. But we are certain that one day people will themselves see how harmful this practice is and end it.”