Encouraging the young women to pave the way forward….
What gives Joy to you, makes you proud when you realize that the little girls of yester years have grown up to be young women. They have begun to express their dreams; desire not to be cowed down by our so called societal norms. Have begun to question these mal practices that have kept women caged crushing their dreams. For the Christmas program the children from the settlements performed so well that left all of us dumbfounded. On deeper reflection at our team meeting we decided to provide them a platform to display their talents and hidden potentials.
And didn’t they surprise us by their capacity to write the scripts, to practice their items. When the day came, the moment they performed they left the hall silent with wet eyes as they depicted the reality of their plight. They are not prepared to be sacrificed at the altar of the elders and their false practices. As they came forward and enacted the outcome of ‘child marriage’ ‘ dowry death’ ‘ their dreams if no girls…..where will the daughters – in –law come from”, the message was clear, loud powerful, there was no going back, no messing up. Their deep convictions belief in themselves that they can change the course of their life kept us dumbfounded and has invited us to lead this campaign.
The dances and the agile movements were enjoyable and gave our women the respite of enjoyment which they seldom find. It was unbelievable how they managed all the gadgets…all the dress…all the practice among themselves. Leaders in the making, paving the way for a better future for themselves and their age group
The young women from the periphery are not waiting for anyone to show the way, they have carved out the path they wish to follow; they need support, guidance encouragement to make this possible.
Dorothy Fernandes