Young girls from different socio-economic backgrounds who defied odds and barriers to make their mark, and women leaders who challenged stereotypes shared their experiences at a webinar titled 'Rising Against All Odds – Celebrating Our Women of Tomorrow’ organised by NGO Child Rights and You (CRY) to mark International Women's Day.
An enthusiastic bunch of underprivileged young girls including Abha Kumari of Bihar who defied child marriage attempts to fulfil dream of becoming a policewoman and others like Sheetal from Delhi; Bandaru Ganga Bhavani from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh; and Vedika Parmeshwar Ugile from Latur, Maharashtra, shared their powerful stories of breaking societal barriers and emerging victorious during the online event.
Abha Kumari who hails from a village in Samastipur district and is now posted as a constable with Bihar police in Purnea district, said, “I just pray that what I have seen and been through, no other girls should face the same. The hardships and battles that I fought to achieve my dream to study further and become a police officer, I really wish other girls do not face the same.”
Abha had to suffer her father's beatings, among all other pressures to make her agree to a marriage at 16. However, with the help of a CRY-supported local NGO, Abha continued her education and has now turned into a local role model.
Vedika, an adolescent girl from Latur, narrated how they had voiced their demand of having a playground for the girls and made the local panchayat finally agree to their demand.
“We went straight to the village sarpanch and asked, why would only the boys have a playground and girls won’t be allowed to play in the open, in an age when women have landed on the moon?” said the 15-year-old Vedika, beaming with a smile of confidence. The panchayat saw her point and the village girls now have a separate playground for them where they go and play in a safe environment.
Besides the young girls, women icons, including actor Maanvi Gagroo, and author, poet, storyteller Kena Shree narrated their own life stories of breaking stereotypes. They interacted with the young girls and shared key learnings and experiences in overcoming societal and personal challenges, to emerge as women leaders of tomorrow.
Stressing on the need for women to speak up, Gagroo, said, “Sometimes, we don’t set out to be role models and even I never thought that some day I will become one. I always used to support what I felt was right and negate what bothered me. Later on, I realised that people found it powerful and started supporting my voice. It’s a great feeling and that’s why I strongly feel that we women should always voice our concerns in our own possible way.”
“I would ask all girls and women to never back down from anything. After all, we all have the warrior in us. We all fight and win our own battles in our own way and on our own terms. So, never step back from living life on your own terms and never let people tell you what is right or wrong. That is the premise of our lives – yours and mine,” said Kena Shree.
Puja Marwaha, CEO of CRY, said, “Creating awareness among girls of the existing societal norms, and supporting them to change the narrative by growing to their full potential is something that CRY holds very close to its heart. It is crucial that young girls set goals and stubbornly pursue them, no matter what may come. We are sure, their grit and resilience will go a long way in inspiring many others to follow suit and break age-old barriers.”
Underlining the objective of the webinar, Marwaha said, “It’s time we create a platform for girls of tomorrow and women of today to come together and share stories of breaking stereotypes each in their own way and driving the change.”
Some of the other eminent speakers taking part in the conversation included Reena Puri, executive editor, Amar Chitra Katha; Anusha Srinivasan Iyer, journalist, writer-director, brand strategist and egalitarian earth activist; Meghna Peer, CMO India and South Asia, Newell; Komal Hiranandani, founder – Dolce Vee; and Aparna Sundaresaran, deputy editor, Tinkle.