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Sector: Yuvati Samuh (Adolescent Girls
Support Group)
The Yuvati Samuh (Adolescent Girl’s Group) of
CORD has transformed timid, shy girls into
confident, empowered young women. Yuvati Samuh
provides the youth with a platform where they
can enhance their hidden skills. In many
villages, young women are not even allowed to
step out of their homes. This was the case for a
young girl named Vandana in the village of
Kawari.
After attending a Yuvati Samuh meeting
facilitated by CORD in a neighboring village,
some of Vandana’s friends decided to start a
group of their own. They were excited at the
prospect of being able to do something for
themselves and their community. The girls could
not believe the confidence and drive of their
peers and they too wanted to develop these
qualities. For once they were able to learn
about issues that were not openly discussed such
as their changing bodies, hygiene, and other
feminine needs. The girls kept in close contact
with Sonu, a CORD worker, who suggested they
come to the CORD center for a meeting. Although
Vandana was hesitant to attend the meeting, her
friends convinced her to come. Vandana finished
her household chores early that morning so she
could attend the meeting.
At the meeting, Sonu discussed with them how to
develop confidence and bring out their
personalities. She emphasized how they can gain
self respect by realizing their essential role
in the community. Young women must break gender
barriers and stop male dominance which is so
deeply engrained in rural society. It was at
this meeting that Sonu had the opportunity to
talk to Vandana about her life. Vandana revealed
that she had completed the tenth standard but
could not continue her education because her
family was too poor. Vandana put her family
first, even before her own education, although
she still knew its value. For the first time
Vandana was able to talk about her family’s
living situation. She lived with her mother,
father, and three siblings in a small room in
her grandparents’ home. Her family was at their
mercy and had no autonomy in deciding their
living conditions. Vandana’s grandparents even
forbade them to get electricity.
Vandana attended Yuvati Samuh meetings regularly
and the once shy girl became one of the leaders
of the group. She often remembered her
conversation with Sonu and started to feel like
she could do something about her situation. She
had been living in darkness for many years, and
did not want the same for her siblings. Getting
electricity was the first step for Vandana and
her family to improve their lives. She bravely
discussed the matter with her parents and told
them she was going to take the initiative to
talk to her grandparents on behalf of the
family. Her parents said they would not support
her in this matter and told her to stay quiet.
But Vandana was no longer fearful and was
determined to say something. Her interaction
with Yuvati Samuh made her realize that females
can also fight for their rights and progress in
life.
With her newfound confidence, Vandana humbly
requested her grandfather to set up electricity
in their home. He flatly refused her proposal
and said there was no need. Unwilling to accept
his decision, Vandana journeyed to the
Electricity Board’s Office with her aunt and
asked to see her grandparents’ file. This was an
enormous accomplishment for a young village girl
like Vandana. It was unheard of for a rural
woman to step into a government office and
demand something, let alone a young rural girl
like Vandana. She requested an electricity board
worker to come to her house to set up the
connection the next day. In the meantime, she
gathered funds from her friends in the Yuvati
Samuh and waited anxiously for the worker to
arrive.
The next day, Vandana’s family was surprised to
see a government worker at their doorstep.
Vandana’s grandparents were angered that she did
this without their permission. When a quarrel
ensued between her grandparents and the
government worker, Vandana called the Panchayat
Pradhan (President of the local governing body)
to resolve the situation. Soon, through
Vandana’s persistence her house was filled with
light.
But the situation at home still remained bleak.
Her family was crammed into a single room which
was used to store fodder and wood. The room was
suffocating at times and made her family feel as
if they had no dignity. After brining
electricity to her home, Vandana could sense her
grandparents’ resentment. Many times while
Vandana’s mother would be cooking dinner, her
grandfather would throw fodder all over the room
including on top of the food. Her mother’s hard
effort to provide her family with food were in
vain. When Vandana’s mother tried to voice her
frustration, it would only end up in a quarrel.
Vandana could not stand to see her parents
arguing with her grandparents. Acting on the
suggestion of Sonu, Vandana went to go see her
Panchayat Pradhan. When he tried to talk to her
grandparents, it was to no avail. Vandana’s
grandparents were set on having everyone live in
the fodder room. At this point, Vandana knew she
could not rely on anyone else. So with her own
hands, she picked up the fodder and wood and
placed it elsewhere. With fear she began to cook
not knowing how her grandparents would react.
However, she did not regret her decision because
she remembered the words of her dear friend Sonu.
Vandana’s grandparents were moved by her actions
and realized that they were not treating Vandana
or her parents properly. They then allowed
Vandana and her family to stay in two rooms
instead of one.
Vandana stayed in close contact with CORD. When
her dear friend Sonu left CORD to get married,
Vandana applied to fill her position so that she
could spread the message of Yuvati Samuh.
Vandana often conducts meetings in villages with
boys on topics such as gender, caste, alcohol,
and HIV/AIDS. She encourages them to re-evaluate
their macho image, as it often has negative
effects on women and society.
Vandana attributes all her newfound strength and
confidence to the Yuvati Samuh. She learned to
keep her head high and speak up. Despite her
small frame, she is no longer shy and can speak
confidently in public. She has challenged the
notion that rural girls are weak and helpless
and inspires adolescent girls to seek their
highest potential.
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