Hoping for a Second Chance: Punita Devi

Hoping for a Second Chance: Punita Devi

Sharelines

20 yr old Punita Devi has put her abusive marriage behind her after our partners helped her get justice. Read her story: http://bit.ly/210Fgu3

Our partners in Bihar helped restore Punita Devi’s faith after she was physically abused by her husband. Read more: http://bit.ly/210Fgu3

Her voice was barely above a whisper when Punita Devi, 20, spoke about her hopes for the future. Just a year earlier, she had been so badly beaten up by her husband and his family that the left side of her head, face and shoulder had turned black. Even now, she cannot bend down and work in the fields. It takes courage to be hopeful for a better life after everything she has been through.

Punita, who is from Partapur village in Bihar’s Madhubani district, was married at the age of 17 years to a man who worked in a garment factory in Bhiwandi, near Mumbai. Even though her father was a poor fisherman belonging to Malha community (Other Backward Castes), he paid Rs 1,00,000 as dowry. However, after just six months, the demands for more money began, accompanied by severe physical violence by her husband whenever he came home from Mumbai.

Her in-laws took away all her jewellery, mistreated her and also instigated their son against her. Often, they would refuse her food. She was also not allowed to go back to her parents’ home.

Once, her uncle managed to bring her home but she was forced to go back, as her in-laws gave word to their Jati Panchayat that they would keep her well. However, the physical violence continued for a year, after which the Jati Panchayat asked her to return to her village and settle the dispute remotely.

Punita finally returned home in her bruised condition and approached her aunt Dhanmanti Devi, 60, who was the mukhiya of the village’s Mahila Dastak. When Dhanmanti Devi discussed her case with other members, they decided to forward the case to the state-sponsored Women’s Helpline. On the other hand, with the help of Samajik Chetna Kendra (a network partner in Madhubani), Punita’s case was also taken to the court.

After hearing Punita’s case, the Women’s Helpline passed an order for Punita’s in-laws to return Rs 1,50,000 to her, which they have not done yet. The court also ordered the police to arrest members of the family, but they managed to get bail. The case is still ongoing.

Dhanmanti Devi and the members of Mahila Dastak are determined to get Punita justice. They are ready to go all the way to Delhi, if required.

“I feel responsible for being a burden on my family. So I work with my father in the tea stall to help him earn money,” Punita says. She is now waiting for the settlement to happen, so that she can start thinking about her future.

“I will marry whoever my father chooses. What he does for me will be for my own good. Not everyone is bad. I hope that the next man will be good,” she concludes.

 

 

Written by Oxfam India staff

 

Gender Justice

We campaign to change patriarchal mindsets that influence violence against women  

Read More

Related Blogs

Blogs

Stories that inspire us

Gender Justice

20 Mar, 2023

Delhi

International Women's Day Round Up

This International Women's Day was celebrated across our office in their own unique ways. From felicitating women farmers to launching a new brand of product, this International Women's D...

Gender Justice

02 Dec, 2022

Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh

Striving for Financial Inclusion: Need Women-Friendly Ecosystem

In India, one half of the population i.e.women contribute enormously, whether it is in the formal sector or the informal sector or unpaid care work. It’s almost a thankless job for women ...

Gender Justice

28 Nov, 2022

New Delhi

Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls And the Role of Civil Society Organisations

The issue of violence against women and girls has become a pandemic in the current situation, especially in South Asian countries where strict patriarchal norms and structural inequality ...

Gender Justice

15 Sep, 2022

New Delhi

India Discrimination Report | 8 Things You Need To Know

Discrimination in the labour market occurs when people with similar abilities are treated differently due to their identity or social backgrounds. So far, very few attempts have been made...