Bano nai soch champions

Julie works with Oxfam India partner Astitva as a volunteer. She was initially a member of the adolescent girl’s group of Astitva. She is a strong advocate for women’s rights and gender equality and actively mobilises people in her village to promote girl’s education. She has braved many odds to be who she is today. When her brother found out about her leading efforts to achieve women’s rights, he hit her in the face with a brick. This did not stop her from pursuing her passion. She has been breaking quite some stereotypes in her own ways by riding a motorcycle in the village, stopping a child marriage and pursuing education despite so many hardships. She is setting an example for all girls in her village that women can do whatever they want to.

Anam is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work from Lucknow University. She has actively participated in our Film Appreciation Workshops, where we facilitate conversations on gender sensitive films. She is very vocal about social issues, has a good command over languages and is fond of debates. Anam is keen in social work and wishes to pursue her career in this field.

Ahalya Bag belongs to Borbhata village in Kalahandi District of Odisha. Though she wanted to continue her education, due to her family’s economic condition, she had to leave her studies. She has joined our adolescent girls' group and participates actively in all programmes and meetings held there. With the support of her group, she participated in a livelihood skill training programme and has started tailoring as her new profession. She now owns a shop, has brought her own sewing machine and has started earning on her own. She is an inspiration for other girls in her village.
 

Illustration by Rajen Thakur.