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Mina, the Guardian Girl of Gopalkatha village
As the sun rises over Gopalkatha in West Bengal, some children get ready for school. However, many girls in the state are forced to become brides at an early age. Despite significant progress in recent decades, India still accounts for one-third of the world's child brides. This share is equivalent to the combined total of the next 10 countries.
Thankfully, our Safe Village Program at Gopalkatha village changed the community’s attitudes about child marriage, particularly among young girls and boys.
Just days before the Safe Village Program was scheduled to begin, Mina received devastating news. Her parents had finalised plans for her marriage. Though her heart resisted, she felt powerless to challenge the decision and believed that it was an inevitable part of her community’s tradition. She silently braced herself for a future she hadn’t chosen.
But everything changed during the Safe Village Program.
As Mina listened to the heartfelt stories, the empowering messages and the clear information about her legal rights, something stirred within her. It gave her the language, the courage and the validation she needed to speak up.
She stood firm and told her parents:
“I do not want to get married. I want to study. If anyone forces me, I will go to my teachers.”
Her confident words stopped the lifelong ordeal of getting married at an early age; a girl who is married as a child is more likely to be out of school, not earn money, and contribute to the community. She is more likely to experience domestic violence and become infected with HIV/AIDS. She is more likely to have children when she is still a child. There are more chances of her dying due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
She explained the messages of the Safe Village Program to her family and made them understand her right to continue her education.
This amazing breakthrough quickly became a major success for our Safe Village Program, powerfully proving that when children are given voice and support, they can effectively challenge deep-rooted traditional practices.
Today, her classmates know her as a Guardian Girl, a powerful symbol of self-protection. She now passionately encourages her peers to understand their rights, speak out, and build trust with their teachers. She is no longer alone, but part of a vibrant and growing circle of young changemakers.
This story reminds us that every Safe Village Program plants a seed of awareness that can grow into life-saving courage. It is your incredible, persistent work that gives children the choice and confidence to protect themselves and their futures.
As we continue to build safer, more resilient villages, let us draw inspiration from this young Guardian Girl. Your efforts are truly transforming communities across India, empowering women, protecting children, and building a foundation for a safer future.
*Photo has been used for representational purpose only.
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