On papers, women hold a society’s index of cultural and spiritual attainment. But, we know how much truth this statement holds, don’t we? From birth to her death bed, a woman’s life is a struggle. Know your rights! Know the domestic violence laws in India.

What does domestic violence signify?

• Domestic violence basically means any violent or aggressive behavior of any person within the home.
• A violent quarrel between a couple which may force a female spouse to file for mental harassment under domestic violence act and other provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
• According to the new laws in India, men can also file for domestic violence which can come under the category of domestic abuse, family violence arising in the relationships such as marriage including relationships with family members, family friends etc. and it can be in various forms such as physical aggressions, sexual abuse, emotional abuses etc.

What is the Domestic Violence Bill? 

Domestic Violence Bill is a Bill that provides all women in the domestic relationship, whether marriage or live-in, a right to seek legal action against her male partner if she perceives her male partner’s conduct is a form of domestic violence. If the complaint is lodged, a protection officer, predominantly a female, will pass restraining orders and give a second chance to reconcile. If the woman complains yet again, the male partner, irrespective of his family background and social status, will be convicted with 1-year imprisonment and fine of Rs. 20,000/- without any further enquiry.

In 2016, the Supreme Court struck down the words “adult male” from the pertinent provision in the Domestic Violence Act to lay down that a woman can also file a complaint against another woman, accusing her of domestic violence.

Under Section 2(q) of the 2005 Act, a complaint can be made only against an “adult male person”, thereby insulating women from being accused of offences mentioned under the law.

What constitutes domestic violence?

Section 3 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 states what constitutes domestic violence: –

(a) Threats to health, safety, life etc., whether mental or physical, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse and economic abuse

(b) Harassment through any forms such as harms, injuries to the aggrieved person by coercing her or any other person related to any unlawful demand for dowry or other property or valuable security

(c) Injuring or causing harm, through physical or mental means to the aggrieved person.

Domestic violence can be filed against whom?

In the present day scenario, complaint can be filed against any adult male member who is in a domestic relationship with the aggrieved person and against whom the aggrieved person has sought any relief under this Act including other family members such as mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law etc. or any relative of the husband or male partner.

In 2016, the Supreme Court struck down the words “adult male” from the pertinent provision in the Domestic Violence Act to lay down that a woman can also file a complaint against another woman, accusing her of domestic violence.

Under Section 2(q) of the 2005 Act, a complaint can be made only against an “adult male person”, thereby insulating women from being accused of offences mentioned under the law.

Punishment against Domestic Violence:

• There are various regulations or provisions being made for protection of women against domestic violence under the statute such as Sec.304B of IPC pertaining to dowry death.
• Under section 313-316 of IPC female infanticide has been made punishable which means forcefully terminating the pregnancy of a women.
• Other sections of IPC dealing with these issues are section 305-306 related to abetment of suicide and 340,349 of IPC respectively wrongful confinement and wrongful restraint.
• A complaint can also be filed under section 498A of IPC for cruelty which also falls under domestic violence.

Is domestic violence gender neutral?

Yes, domestic violence in India is gender neutral because according to research and studies, it is clear that the number of men and women who commit violence toward each other is equal but women are more likely to report act of violence then men in India.

The reason for violence both in men and women are different –

• men turn violent when they feel a sense of powerlessness such as when they are not able to overcome what they want
• women turn violent when they are frustrated or do not get their spouse’s attention.

Hence it can be said that men and women are both the victims of domestic violence and hence an inclusive approach must be taken to help families resolve conflict.

What should a victim of domestic violence do?

• Call 100 or 1091(women emergency helpline number) and report it to the concerned authority.
• If possible, write down the police report or incident number and keep with records.
• Seek medical attention if required.
• Move to domestic violence shelter as stated under section 6 of protection of women from Domestic Violence act, 2005.
• Seek support of caring people on whom you trust or who would maintain your privacy.
• File for protection order as stated under section 18 of Domestic Violence act so that the abuser can stay away from you.

Despite a lot of pessimism, law in India prevails and it’s there to protect you from harm. All you have to have is a little faith in the system.

Information Sources: Law Farm, 498a.org, Feminism In India

James Brown has said, “this is a man’s world,” but here are 8 women who’ve changed the world we live in today. They have revolutionized everyday tasks with their inventions, smashed the glass ceiling to smithereens in the business world, fought for our rights and continue to push for further inclusion and diversity. Take a look.

Here are women who have left a mark on the world that would change people’s thinking for decades — in some cases centuries — to come.

1. Mother Teresa

Originally from Macedonia, Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun. Although she spent the majority of her life in India, her international charity work included helping evacuate hospital patients in war torn Lebanon, doing earthquake relief in Armenia and ministering to famine victims in Ethiopia. She founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the sick and poor. Among many other honors, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitutes a threat to peace.” In 2016, Mother Teresa was declared a saint in a canonization Mass held by Pope Francis in the Vatican.

2. Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of Myanmar’s independence hero, General Aung San and she became involved in politics and activism after being inspired by the non-violent campaigns of US civil rights leader Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. In 1988, during a time of major political upheaval in Myanmar, she organized rallies calling for peaceful democratic reform and free elections. However, the demonstrations were brutally suppressed by the army, who seized power in a 1988 coup, and Aung San Suu Kyi, as Chairperson of the opposition party, was placed under house arrest.

She is one of the world’s most prominent political prisoners having been under house arrest for almost 15 until her most recent release in 2010. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her commitment to peaceful resistance against military-ruled Myanmar, and for a life spent championing democracy and human rights.

3. Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani advocate for girls education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. In 2009, when Malala was just eleven she began blogging about life under the Taliban, speaking out directly against their threats to close girls’ schools. Pakistan has the second highest number of children out of school and two-thirds of them are female. The blog on BBC Urdu garnered international attention while also making her the target of death threats. In October 2012, a gunman shot her and two other girls as they were coming home from school. Malala survived the attack and in 2013 published an autobiography, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. In October 2014, Yousafzai received the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Indian children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi.

3. Indira Gandhi 

She was the first female prime minister of India. The charismatic and epoch-making personality of Indira Gandhi left her imprint not only in the affairs of her own country but also in international affairs. She belonged to that noble galaxy of great leaders who wielded extraordinary power. Indira Gandhi was an Indian to the core but at the same time her vision went far beyond her own nation and embraced the entire human race. By virtue of being the Prime Minister of India, the largest democracy in the world, she was able to make a significant contribution to the practice of inter-national relations. She enjoyed well-deserved prestige and profound respect on the international scene.

She was in power from between 1966–77 and 1980–84. She championed the cause of international peace, disarmament, anti-colonialism and anti-racialism. Under her dynamic stewardship India’s voice was heard with respect in various international oranisations and forums.  Accused of authoritarian tendencies she only narrowly avoided a military coup by agreeing to hold an election at the end of the “emergency period” of 1977. She was assassinated in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards, in response to her storming of the Golden Temple.

5. Kiran Bedi

Kiran Bedi was born and bred in the holy city of Amritsar, Punjab. She is a social activist and the first woman IPS officer in the country. She has not only served her department with full conviction, but has also made whole-hearted contribution to many social causes. A former tennis player, the multi-talented social activist from Amritsar is credited for bringing down the number of crimes against women in West Delhi during her service. She introduced several reforms at Tihar Jail, which gained worldwide acclaim and won her the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1994. In 2003, Kiran became the first Indian woman to be appointed as a Police Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the Department of Peace Keeping Operations. She resigned in 2007 to focus on social activism and writing. She has written several books, and runs the India Vision Foundation.

6. Irom Sharmila

Irom Sharmila popularly known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur” is the most recognizable face of the conflict-ridden state in the North East. In spite of not clearing her class XII, she has become an “icon of public resistance” in her state. For Irom, her father has had a great influence in her life. On November 2, 2000, she began a hunger strike after the “Malom Massacre” where 10 people were killed, which had a major impact on her. Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been recognized as “the world’s longest hunger striker”. On International Women’s Day, 2014 she was voted as the top woman icon of India by MSN Poll.  Though Irom has refused both water and food, the government continues to force feed her. Every year, she is arrested on charges of attempt to suicide and her resolve hasn’t broken yet.

7. Laxmi Agarwal

Laxmi Agarwal is an Indian campaigner with Stop Acid Attacks and a TV host. She is an acid attack survivor and speaks for the rights of acid attack victims. She was attacked in 2005, at age 15, by a 32-year-old man whose advances she had rejected. She has also advocated against acid attacks through gathering 27,000 signatures for a petition to curb acid sales and taking that cause to the Indian Supreme Court. Her petition led the Supreme Court to order the central and state governments to regulate the sale of acid, and the Parliament to make prosecutions of acid attacks easier to pursue. She is the director of Chhanv Foundation, a NGO dedicated to help the survivors of acid attacks in India. Laxmi received a 2014 International Women of Courage award by US First Lady Michelle Obama. She was also chosen as the NDTV Indian of the Year. She is also the face of Viva and Diva, promoting all girls to reflect on their inner beauty rather than exterior appearance.

8. Shaheen Mistri

Shaheen is the CEO of Teach for India and the Founder of Akanksha Founder.  She has earned global recognition for her dedication and commitment to the fight for educational equity. Born in Mumbai to a Parsi family, she had an international upbringing. However, she soon realized that children living in the Mumbai’s city slums lacked access to quality education and were deprived of the skills necessary to compete in India’s formal, competitive job market. She founded the first Akanksha Centre in 1989, a non-profit education project that provides after-school tutoring to children from low-income communities. As the recognition of Akanksha’s work grew, Shaheen saw an opportunity to expand her reach even further and work for more transformative changes she launched Teach For India in 2008. Since then, the organization has recruited, trained, and placed nearly 1,700 Fellows in schools across seven cities. Shaheen is an Ashoka Fellow (2001), a Global Leader for Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum (2002), and an Asia Society 21 Leader (2006).  She also serves on the boards of Ummeed. Shaheen has a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Manchester, England.

You are fearless, you are strong, you are a tigress on the prowl, what’s stopping you from changing the world?

“Without women empowerment, India cannot progress” ~ Shri Narendra Modi

• Did you know that among the 1.4 million people all over the world who are living below $1 a day, about 70% are women and girls?
• Did you know that women account for around 2/3^rd of the world’s working hours and earn only 10% of the world’s income?
• Did you know that women produce HALF of the world’s food and own only 1% of its land? And of the 900 million adults worldwide who cannot read or write, about 2/3^rd are women!? Need we add more?

Do we have to underline the fact that when we empower girls, everybody benefits, the nation benefits? They transform communities yet the reality remains that women are treated as second-class citizens. We give you 4 reasons why empowering the girl child can be a revolutionary decision we will never regret.

1. Adding force to the employed sector: Women constitute around 50% of the world’s population and an enormous portion of this populace is unemployed. This unequal opportunity for women at workplaces and even at home may be one of the reasons why the world economy has been suffering. When women are empowered and educated, they have a lot more earning potential, thus adding to a nation’s GDP growth and numbers to the betterment of the economy.

2. They are more competent & intelligent: Needless to say, women who are only considered the weaker sex are in reality extremely competent. Today, women, in several socio-economic undertakings are way ahead of men. Women and girl child empowerment India will add to competitive environment for both sexes.

3. They are a talented lot: Women are as talented as men are, probably more! Haven’t you witnessed how efficiently they run their households? Formerly, when women were not allowed higher education like men, their talents were wasted. However, at the moment, they are not only allowed to undertake higher studies, it encourages and empowers women to demonstrate their talents which not only advance her individually but also makes her ready for action to take on the world.

4. All-inclusive progress of the society & financial benefits: The foremost benefit of women and girl child empowerment India is that there will be a complete development of the society. The money they earn will not only help them to be independent, but also their families to be sufficient and thus the society as a whole.

Women and girl child empowerment leads to additional economic benefits not only to individual, their families but also the society. Women get out of their houses to earn like the male members. Money enable them to stand on their feet and earn for their families which helps boost the country’s economy.

Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao!

Literally meaning ‘Educate the Girl Child, Save the Girl Child’ the Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao Scheme is an ambitious scheme of the Government of India. It is intended to generate massive awareness, improvement of quality of welfare services for females and helping them access these services better.

Finally,

There is an urgent need to change this archaic mindset of the patriarchal society which views girls as liabilities. Girls are in no way less than boys! When given the right chances to nurture their talent and skills, they have it in them to excel in all areas of life. It is therefore imperative that all of us work in cohesion to spread the message of saving and educating the girl child to lay the foundation for girl child empowerment.

53% of children in India are victims of sexual abuse, out of which, most abusers were known to the child and were trusted. Most did not report the matter to anyone. Why? Speaking about sexual abuse is considered taboo in our society and the victim is always accounted answerable. Here’s the story of Sutapa Patre, who despite having faced sexual abuse all her life decided to fight for her rights and become a role model for others. 

Here are some more stats to show how profound and gruesome sexual exploitation and human trafficking is. And mind you, these numbers are only India specific. Globally, almost 80% of the human trafficking is related to sexual exploitation, while the rest is bonded labor. India is the hub of these crimes in Asia. Illegal procuration of minor girls for sexual exploitation and/or bonded labor rose drastically by 416% between 2009-13. It was 237 in 2009, while the number increased to 1224 in 2013. Appalling isn’t it?

Sutapa’s own house brings back memories of trauma she’d faced as a child; memories she cannot erase…memories that will haunt her for life…memories that makes her the resolute woman that she is today. As a child, Sutapa had faced sexual abuse from close relatives. When she tried to confide in her parents, she was asked not to reveal it to anyone in case the family name was blemished. Amusingly, she was told to dodge her abusers when they came around. One day, she decided that she’ll not allow the pains to bother her. Sutapa decided not to stay shut. She took up training in Wenlido, a system of self-defence that involves physical and mental techniques in fending off attackers. The moves can help tackle sexual, verbal and physical abusers. It’s specifically designed for women. She mastered the art so that no man could ever violate her again.

Over a period of time, what started as an expedition of self-defense, gradually transformed into her extending a helping hand to others who have undergone the same predicament as her. Sutapa has empowered hundreds of girls and young women across West Bengal by training them in Wenlido.

“In most cases of sexual abuse, the tormentor is someone from the family. I grew up tormented. So I wanted to help others so that they didn’t go through the hell like I did” adds Sutapa.

Sutapa’s journey out of her village was cakewalk. Born into a famer’s family in Kamalpur village of Sunderbans, eyebrows were raised when she left the village for her education. Though her parents were supportive, neighbors and relatives questioned the decision. “What was the need to send a girl to school?” was the unanimous demand. But none of this deterred Sutapa. Alongside her education, Sutapa trained in Wenlido. Once she got a trainer’s certificate, she started sharing the martial arts form with other girls.

“Wenlido teaches a woman to not only apply physical moves but also mental techniques to ward off attackers. Unlike other forms of martial arts, many moves of Wenlido can be picked up in only three sessions.” she said.

From schoolgirls to homemakers, many have benefited from Sutapa’s lessons.

Sutapa has set up Amader Prerana in 2008 with the vision to help girls and women stir a greater sense of value and confidence within themselves. Sutapa takes keen interest in the day-to-day activities of the organization as she helps women realize their power and capacities.

Sutapa wants to work with 5 to 10 schools so that more girls can be trained. Sutapa dreams of a violence free world where women are viewed as equal citizens with valid claims to justice and freedom.

More than one million girls are enslaved to brothels across India. They are enticed, deceived or kidnapped by traffickers and forced to work in India’s notorious red light districts, attending up to ten or even more men a day. They are physically abused and mentally tortured that scar them for lives.

Tumpa was born to a sex worker in Kolkata where law enforcement is stretched to the limits, child exploitation exists in epidemic proportions and the poor dwellers have no one to call. Tumpa inhabited the dismal gullies of the brothel and like any other child her age, would have had many dreams, lead a normal life, go to school and be respected by the society at large. But, her only fault…she was born into a brothel and scarred for life.  

However, Tumpa chose to be the phoenix risen from the ashes. Born to a sex worker, she would have been forced into the trade to fill into her mother’s shoes, but this 28-year old chose to write her own destiny. She founded Diksha, an anti-trafficking youth-run programme in Kalighat’s red-light area working towards child protection inspiring others through her relentless efforts to provide them the option to seek a life outside the flesh trade. Tumpa adds, “This is the first such center within this area for sex workers’ children. We have introduced a TV for entertainment, music, drawing and dance classes for the youngsters and we assist them in their studies and serve light snacks when they return from school. Many of us now study and earn degrees. Being born in a red-light area doesn’t mean being doomed anymore.”

Tumpa believes every child deserves the best chance for a bright future and she is fiercely committed to ensuring children to not only survive, but thrive giving them a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm through regular mentoring, cultural support and training. She is an out-and-out champion who takes in against the world alone to save the vulnerable children.

Along with this, with the assistance from Kutchina Foundation, Tumpa has also set up a Kutchina Krittika Tumpa Adhikary learning centre in Kalighat. “I was ashamed of where I lived. I could never tell my friends about my mother. By the time I was in the fifth standard, I – like most of the girls in my area – had completely grown up. So when I tried to take a stand against the system, our own mothers thought we were biting off more than we could chew” says Tumpa.

She’s also set up a skill training & women empowerment centre in Kalighat to create business ventures for older sex workers who have been cast aside by their own. Incidentally, she also takes care of her 60-year-old retired mother – after her two brothers refused to do so. Her voice is steady and sturdy when she says, “Just because I belong to the fairer sex, doesn’t make me indispensible. I’ll make sure others like me who suffer the same plight are safe from prowling hands.”

In 2017, Tumpa who is currently working within and around Kalighat, wants to expand her services to more regions across Kolkata. She’s also looking at working with other slums where she can develop safe areas for children and give them better and safer opportunities to thrive.
Tumpa continues to live in the Kalighat red light area even though she has plenty of opportunities to leave it behind.

“What an achievement for India. They are now the number 1 rape nation of the world.” These were the words of a reader after he read an article on a leading daily concerning the mass molestation that happened in Bangalore on New Year’s Eve.

Shameful and hurtful as it sounds, statistics have suggested that nearly 53% of children in India are victims of sexual abuse, out of which, most abusers were known to the child or were in a position of trust and responsibility. Most did not report the matter to anyone. Why? Speaking about sexual abuse is considered taboo in our society and the victim is unashamedly accounted answerable.

Sutapa knew she would be held accountable for the torments of sexual abuse, mostly by family members, that she’s faced through her life. She knew she’d held responsible for being a woman, for failing to say ‘NO!’, accusing her that she’d ‘asked for it’. When she tried to confide in her parents, she was told not to reveal it to anyone lest it brought a bad name for the family. Instead, she was told to avoid her abusers when they came around. She didn’t let these nuisances annoy her. Sutapa decided not to stay shut.

Determined, she learned Wenlido, a system of self-defence that involves physical and mental techniques in fending off attackers. The moves can help tackle sexual, verbal and physical abusers. It’s specifically designed for women. After she mastered the skills, she taught it to others and helped them fight abuse and violence against them. “A woman can be harassed anywhere,” Sutapa added. “It’s thus important for them to know how to defend themselves.”

What started as a journey to defend herself, turned into her extending a helping hand to others like her. The valiant woman has empowered hundreds of girls and young women by training them in the art of self-defence. Sutapa has set up Amader Prerana in 2008 with the vision to help girls and women stir a greater sense of value and confidence within themselves. Sutapa takes keen interest in the day-to-day activities of the organization as she helps women realize their power and capacities. Sutapa has successfully reached more than 700 women and girls, both urban and rural and changed their lives through Wenlido.

Sutapa says powerfully, “”In most cases of sexual abuse on young girls, the tormentor is someone from the family. I grew up tormented. So I wanted to help others so that they don’t go through hell like me.”

In the forthcoming year, she wants to work with 5 to 10 schools so that more girls can be trained. Sutapa dreams of a violence free world where women are viewed as equal citizens with valid claims to justice and freedom.

“We only have 2 choices. Nothing or do something!!” ~ Tony Kirwan, Founder, Destiny Rescue – Committed to liberating the enslaved & restoring those who have been abused.

 

Close proximity to the Bangladesh border, mounting unemployment, marginalized income that barely made ends meet, frightful accounts of domestic violence and harrowing tales of human trafficking! Sounds traumatic? Here’s Manika Sarkar, who’s lived through all this, fought back and lives to tell the world her tale!
After being married early in life and having faced severe domestic violence at a time when toys and dolls should have been her playmates, Manika didn’t fade away into the dark. She chose to be an inspiration to the millions like her. She chose to stand up for herself and became a social activist inspiring everyone around her, including her daughters to take a stand against human trafficking, child marriage and exploitation.
She has single-handedly successfully launched an awareness campaign at the grassroot level against human trafficking and child marriage. Manika adds, “I am one of the handful of victims who has survived to lead a different life. Now, I am determined to be part of a solution: to raise awareness and agitate for changes.”
At the moment Manika fiercely runs a sewing centre with some assistance from the Kutchina Foundation. The centre promotes and drives economic independence among women victims of trafficking. She trains the rescued women on sewing skills helping them become self-sustainable by eventually landing jobs either in the business or even turn entrepreneurs. Along with this, Manika also owns a small piece of land where these women can farm, spend some time talking to others and try to forget their woes even if it’s for just a while. Talk about Mother Nature and her healing power! After all the distress that these women have been through, Manika’s affection and support gets them back to normalcy.

Manika adds, “Turning social activist isn’t enough. The kind of work I do and what I aspire requires a lot of support. I’m sure the coming year is going to bring me luck in my endeavors.”

Manika persistently tries to channel her struggles and experiences into developing a solid support system for women who have been victimized by trafficking and child exploitation. With this objective and her determination at the helm, Manika runs a women trafficking case management support initiative where victims (women, children of either sex) of abuse, child marriage or trafficking can dial 1098 and get protection and reinforcement.

Currently her center provisions for over a whopping 100 survivors hailing from more than 70 affected families. As saddening it may sound, these women and children are now leading fulfilling lives. For her extraordinary accomplishments in saving women and children from the evils that prey on them, Manika has even been awarded by the West Bengal State Women’s Commission.

In 2017, Manika has a long list of desires. She wishes to get new sewing machines for her business that will help her train more women and make them self-reliant. She also wants to buy a vehicle so that she can move around faster thus saving her time and energy. Manika wants to sponsor school bags and books for 20 girls who have been pulled out of bad child marriages. Her other desires are to help the migrants who are old, in need and have moved to find work. She wants to provide shelter and support to women by solving their legal, mental and health issues while also teach them skills to help them become independent. Talk about purpose, perseverance and willpower.

A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. —Eleanor Roosevelt

Through long cold nights when hundreds of young boys and girls try to make a living by working incessantly in call centres or crave for their mother’s food, Samim tries to ensure that they don’t go to bed on an empty stomach. She and her army of home cooks deliver tiffins or dabbas to these hungry souls.

William Shakespeare was correct when he believed that while some are born great, some achieve greatness! Samim Sultana’s tale is that of a woman who was not just born a fighter but her incredible journey proves that she’s also the ultimate survivor after being plunged into the depths of misery.

When Samim wasn’t allowed to step out of her house, she decided to break tradition. Despite coming from a conservative Manipuri Muslim family, Samim broke barriers to make something out of her life. After she graduated college, she started working at a beauty parlour to make ends meet. She wasn’t content.

When she came across Kutchina Foundation and found out about the work they do, she found her calling. Through Samim’s initiative called Lunch Box, she now helps women from marginalized families or victims of domestic violence become self-sustainable by cooking food and getting them delivered to people who are either too stressed to cook for themselves after a hard day at work or are missing home cooked comfort food.

However, Samim didn’t stop at that. With the knowledge and experience she has gained by working at the beauty parlour, Samim has started a professional beauty parlour training institute to help aspiring women become independent and thereby live with dignity in a society marred with viciousness against women. Samim adds, “I’m at the beginning of an incredible journey and I want to learn from the women I work with. They are such an inspiration. When I listen to their stories, I get all the more stubborn and determined to do something good for them. They build hope in me!”Over the next 6 months, Samim looks at expanding her business manifold and hiring more people to help her scale up. She also plans on getting more women under her guidance. She says, “I’m a small fish in a big pond. The road ahead may be bumpy, but my determination is rock solid. With the kind of support I’m getting, I’m sure I’ll be able to achieve what I desire. ”

Over the next 6 months, Samim looks at expanding her business manifold and hiring more people to help her scale up. She also plans on getting more women under her guidance. She says, “I’m a small fish in a big pond. The road ahead may be bumpy, but my determination is rock solid. With the kind of support I’m getting, I’m sure I’ll be able to achieve what I desire. ”

As the role and status of women change in the Indian society, may such unheard voices as Samim’s be heard for the good!