Twenty eight year old Tauhin Nahar Seema, says, “I was married at the age of 15. I have a nine-year-old daughter. I am 28 now. My husband has been abusing me since the early years of our marriage. I did not talk of the abuse to anyone as I felt I would be disloyal to the family if I did. I felt it was my shame to bear. And, bear alone.

One day I met a social worker of a local NGO who counselled me and also gave me the communication material of the campaign. She made me understand that I was not alone in my misery. And, that my shame was society’s shame as well. I was somehow relieved and encouraged by the fact that they were others like me. I began to feel it was in my power to change myself. I have not done anything drastic as yet. Nor so I plan to. But I have begun talking to my husband at length about the issue and showing him the campaign booklets. He has actually mellowed down. His beatings have reduced and he also does not beat me in front of my relatives and friends. It is a change, albeit a small one. But I hope that one say the violence will stop.

I am also now willing to talk of my plight. I see the change in myself. I have faith that one day women can live lives that are free of fear and violence.”