“I studying in
Government primary school after class – VIII all my classmates dropped out from
school except three [two belongs from upper caste and one from other backward
caste (OBC)]. I grownup in the place near to this area and found that the
children of the 99% of the families are not going to the school. We selected this slum and working here for
last 14 years and now young generation are leading their own campaign and ITE(Integrated
Technology Education) are integrating in the process. This is the model of the
hope based on the resilience against the culture of silence for India in
particular and South Asia in general”, Says, Lenin Raghuvanshi, founder and
CEO, PVCHR.
The
three young girls Chanda, Jyoti and Pooja of Munshi Prem with the support of
other children of Chandra Bal Panchayat, Baghwanala, Varanasi flagged a
campaign ‘Will not do kitchen, I want to get educate” campaign against child
marriage in 2010. They are the first generation among their family.
The
inspirations of these girls were the activists of child right centric model
villages and teachers of the non – formal education center (NFE) initiated by
Jan Mitra Nyas/PVCHR with the support of the Child Rights and You (CRY),
support from Ashoka fellowship through Lenin Raghuvanshi and later by Sir
Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). The NFE centre was inaugurated by PVCHR patron
Justice Z.M Yacoob, Sitting Judge Constitution Court of South Africa &
Chancellor of University of Durban, South Africa. Process of child theatre
against child marriage for right of girls made them to understand the
consequence of the child marriage. These three sit together and discussed Mere
sath hota toh mai kya jarti (If these things happened with me than what I will
do) they know that it is not only the girl child who bears the consequences of
early marriage but it equally impacts the lives of those around them.
They
lit the campaign from opposing their own children marriage but also prevent
other to do so. They are creating awareness in their area through meeting of
Bal Panchayat, street march, open letter, signature campaign, slogan,
distributing promotional materials and showcasing their theatre play Sindhoor
nahi Sikha, which shows the demerits of the child marriage.
They
vigil in there are and after getting information of Manisha child marriage they
immediately called joint meeting of Munshi Premchandra Bal Panchayat and
Kishori Baithak and called Manisha parents. After having long discussion
Manisha’s parents agreed to send Manisha to her in-laws house after she attains
the age of 18. But next day Manisha husband forcefully took her to his house.
When
these girls came to know about this incident, they went to Manisha’s in-laws
house and argued them sent back Manisha to her parent house. After a long
discussion they agree to bring Manisha back after she attains the age of 18.
After this no child marriage is happening in Baghwanala.
The
journey was not easy for them they faced several problems to break this deep
routed evil which have become a part of Indian society for several centuries.
They faced challenges and resistance from their own relatives, community and
parents of their friends. Mere phupha bole ki yeh dusro ke mamle mein bol
rahi hai isliye ham log iski shadi class 10 ke bad kar denge. (My uncle
said she is speaking in the matter of others so, we will do her marry after
class 10). The parents of my friends were not allowing to send them because
they think there child will also “Yeh log bahut bolti hai aur man ki badhi
hai tum logo ke sath rahkar hamari ladki kharab ho jayegi” (These girls
speak a lot and are open minded. my daughter will ruin after coming along with
you). The people from there area torn the poster and washed the slogan written
on the wall “Bal vivah band karo) stopped child marriage but few people in the
community supported by signing the petition.
The
Manish’s father came to Chanda’s mother shop and threatens her “Apni ladki
to samjha dijiye nahi toh ham usko uthwa lenge” (Make your child understand
otherwise we will kidnap her.
These
hurdles were not sufficient to stop the mission of these three girls without
any fear they continued their struggle. They performed the street play not only
in Baghwanala but also in many different places showing high rate of child
marriage.
In
personal life these girls are running pillar to post for their survival and
working hard to complete their vision to be on the responsible post for
eradicating social evil, says Jyoti. Pooja wants to become teacher for giving
valuable education to the next generation. Now they are studying in B.A – II
year from Uday Pratap College, Varanasi with the scholarship awarded from Raj
Dulari Foundation, Sweden and Ms. Parul Sharma.
Their
daring initiative was honoured with Savitri Bai Phule Memorial Award, Marwadi
Youth Committee also honored them in the presence of Sri D. K. Thakur, Deputy
Inspector General of Police of Varanasi Zone, famous industrialist Sri Jhunjhunwala
was present at the occasion. Ms. Chanda honoured with HT Judges Choice Award
and her profile published in India today. The Hindustan daily Hindi newspaper
honoured initiative by inviting them as one day editor guest.
Now
they are receiving well support from the community, parents of their friends.
Their mission worked as many parents stopped doing child marriage and providing
opportunity to their girls for further study and provide space for their right
to expression. Now not only three but other 19 children joined in their
mission. It is extraordinary inculcating process to curb down the concept of
masculinity, which is decreasing the violence in families and community too.
Now with the support from SDTT ITE initiative started and Smart phone for
education concept of Henrik, Germany are in process for next milestone of
empowerment. The children learned video
documentation from their own voice of India.
Shruti
says, ‘when we initiated the school first teacher gave resign and then we
appointed a women teacher who faced domestic violence in her life. We initiated
adult literacy, campaign against police torture and the illegal activities by
the criminal in that area. Whole process in the grass – root are mostly
implemented by the women activist and responsible men for women rights so, a
gender perspective is very strong in process against the existing concept of
masculinity.’
Now in Baghwanala three centres built with support
from German Ministry NRW via GIZ GmbH, Indo – German Society of Remscheid,
Germany, dalit team, Remschied, Germany and Jan Mitra Nyas
- · Women centre for women was built after the donation of land by Ms. Urmila Singh (mother of Ms. Shruti Nagvanshi)
- · Community center and office for the weaver the land was donated by the community
- · Raja Suhail Dev Jan Mitra Sikshan Kendra was donated by the community.
Their
success story got published in India Today, Times of India, Hindustan Times,
Amar Ujala, Sanskar Magazine, Beyond Headline, Inqualab urdu newspaper etc.
Story
is written by Shrirn shabana Khan, Program Director, PVCHR with input by Shruti
Nagvanshi, Puja and Jyoti
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