Success through collective initiative

I (changed fictional name) Pooja Ahirwar, 15 years old, Sunita Ahirwar, 12 years old, Kusham Ahirwar, 12 years old, Prema Ahirwar, 15 years old, and Leela Ahirwar, 15 years old. All study in the primary school in Ladwari.

Every day, a teacher in our school used to behave inappropriately with us, which made us very uncomfortable.

When we told him that his behavior was wrong, he would say, “I will give you good grades in the exam.” We got tired of telling him and said, “We will inform the head of the organization (Grameen Swalamban Samiti).” He started saying, “Everyone does it, inform the head.”

One day, we all told our families. Our parents and sister came to school, explained to the teacher that his behavior with girls was wrong, and warned him that he would be punished and lose his job.

The teacher got scared and started apologizing. Our sister reported this to the education department, and they transferred the teacher. Now we go to school confidently and focus on our studies.

If we hadn’t been connected to the Girls’ Council, we would have continued to be harassed in school, but we were too afraid to tell anyone.

In the Girls’ Council, we learned to speak out against harassment. We have been educated about child marriage, women’s violence, and children’s rights.

Now we believe that if anyone harasses a girl, we will call the helpline and help her. We will take action against the perpetrator.

Balika Panchayat: Ladwari

Contact Person:

Sheetal: 9098840334

Bharti: 8305413280