Farzana was 12 years old at the time of her marriage. Her husband was about 3 years old and used to torture over her quite a lot. The husband was a robber by profession which the parents did not know. When Farzana returned to her parents and shared the facts, the parents restrained her going back to husband’s house.
Continuing with this situation, Farzana stayed back with her parents and her husband again married her while she was 20 years and taken lot of money and jewellery. After few months of second time marriage, her husband again started torturing physically and continued to pressurize for money and jewellery. On not being able satisfy her husband, physical torture was the resultant effect over her. Her in-laws were also party to the physical torture and restrained Farzana from meeting her child.
She had no option than going back to her mother. Her husband did not even try to visit her and ultimately compelled her to stay back with the parents.
During 2013, she filed a case against her husband and in-laws, facilitated by Jeevika staff members. Her association with the survivors’ forum, helped in moving ahead for case filing. The training inputs on various issues like self, legal assistance, prevention of child marriage and violence against women has helped her gaining adequate knowledge saving herself.
The impact of the training motivated her to stop the marriage of a 19-year-old girl with a 52-year-old man. The girl named as Mumtaz denied marrying that person, while her parents were reluctant for the marriage raising the concern about family economic condition. She then came to know about Farzana and informed her through a friend about the forced marriage.
Farzana took the lead to mobilize the parents of Mumtaz but it did not work. Subsequently, the matter was raised with the Nainan Police Station and with that support the marriage could be prevented. At present, Mumtaz is engaged in tailoring and earning a decent amount for survival. As of now, she has not married and wants to establish herself as a successful business owner.
Farzana, as one of the women leaders has put her best effort and has been able to save the girl for being victim of child marriage and related other vulnerabilities. Leadership skills input from Jeevika has empowered these women to fight back against any violence against children, adolescents and women in their respective communities and also taught them the process of complaining and ensure access to justice.
(Name Changed Keeping in View the Confidentiality)
One of the members of the women groups, Papiya Dhara got married at the age of 12 years, but life became painful after marriage owing to physical and mental torture by her husband and in-laws. The level of torture reached to such level that Papiya had to return to her mother.
In the meantime, she came in contact with Jeevika Survivors’ group and started attending their meetings, trainings. This helped her learn several aspects of legal aspects and forms of violence against women. After several years, she again got married and survived by 3 children and husband. Life was moving smoothly, and she continued to take part in women forum of Jeevika.
An incident of sexual abuse with her younger daughter changed life situation. A boy of early adolescence in the neighbourhood abused her younger daughter and tried molesting her.
After the incident she immediately chased the parents of the boy, and the matter was totally denied by the parents of the boy. These led her to file case against the boy under POCSO Act and take legal action. Other neighbours requested to withdraw the case against the boy, but she did not find it safe for other girls in the community. Thus, she continued with POCSO Case and finally necessary action was taken against the boy.
In her opinion, if one such case of sexual abuse is being ignored, the perpetrator would get subsequent chance to do similar acts again. Thus, such matters should not be left with legal action. Communities need to be more sensitive to these incidences and raise their voice to safeguard their children.
(Name Changed Keeping in View the Confidentiality)