Sixteen-year-old Tithi Sadia Jafin who is a student of class ten at Rebeka Habib Girls High School at Tulsighat in Gaibandha, says, “My mobility is severely restricted. My parents fear to send me alone anywhere and I have to always let them know where I am. They were livid when they heard I had joined the ‘We Can’ campaign. They strictly forbade me to participate. One day, I found my father in a good mood and I gathered courage to speak to him. I told them him how important it was to empower women in our society and help them stand on their own feet. I spoke to him about the negative impacts of domestic violence and the need to do something about it. He heard me out and actually let me go to Dhaka to attend the National Change Makers conference. I see this as a very big change in him. After this, he has stopped speaking harshly to my mother.

I try now to convince my neighbours not to beat their wives. I know that it is a very unorthodox thing to do as a schoolgirl. It works in some cases, in others it does not. Many of those in my neighbourhood see my activities as presumptuous. My father initially did not approve of my speaking up in what he considered ‘other people’s’ matters. But now he does not protest so much. I have managed to get together around 40 students from my school to become Change Makers. They work actively with the campaign and help distribute posters, pamphlets and other material.”