Akshatha a young student attended the GBV workshop organised by Best Practices Foundation for the Kishoris and Kishoras. During the programme Akshatha was seen in tears due to the level of gender-based discrimination practised by her parents between her and her brother. She shared that her parents always give importance to her brother over her for basic needs. They provide things for her brother even before he asks, and refuse to do anything for her. During the pandemic, classes were held online and she needed a smart phone to attend classes. But when she requested her parents, they refused to get her one. After the programme Akshatha joined the kishori sangha and started attending various training and other programmes organised by the federation. She is determined to take up a part time job to support herself and her education “If I can work and study then I don’t have to be dependent on anyone or put my hands out asking for help. I can take care of myself and my needs and I can prove who I am to everyone through my hard work without depending on anyone”.
Though her parents had restricted her, not allowing her to move out, a federation executive member (Mahadevi) spoke to her parents and started taking Akshatha out with her to attend programmes and meetings. Whilst most of the girls of her age including her classmates and friends are already married off by their families, Akshatha is pursuing her education and is seen as an emerging leader within her village and community. The various trainings and meetings on GBV, Laws and Rights, Leadership, Intergenerational dialogues, Feminist Digital Literacy and various other workshops that were held locally and outside the district (in Bangalore) have resulted in broadening Akshatha’s horizons, and equipped her to come out as a leader not only for the Kishori sanghas but also to the villagers and her community. She has also served as the youngest EC member in the federation and continues to actively participate.