Triumph Over Harmful Social Norms

Triumph Over Harmful Social Norms: Sangita Chaudhary's Journey from Oppression to Empowerment

Sangita’s journey through her 36 years has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. Born into a family that valued education, she grew up with father, two mothers, four sisters, and a brother, all of whom were well-educated. Despite the tragic loss of her father during the Maoist insurgency, her mother stepped up heroically, ensuring that Sushmita and her siblings received an education. What seemed like a stable and promising start took a sharp turn after her marriage.

Married life brought with it a series of challenges. Sangita found herself confined, forced to wear a veil (ghughat), and silenced in her own home. Despite her education, she faced discrimination and abuse from her own family. The demands for dowry added fuel to the fire, making her situation even more unbearable. However, Sangita refused to be a victim of circumstance.

Her journey towards empowerment began when she secretly attended a Women Empowerment event organized by ActionAid International Nepal and DJKCY on the year 2068 B.S. with the support of her husband. Despite facing severe backlash from her family, she found the courage to stand up for herself and advocate for women's rights. This newfound determination came at a cost, as she was brutally beaten and eventually forced out of her own home.

But Sangita’s spirit remained unbroken. With the support of her community and her own unwavering resolve, she continued to fight for justice. Despite numerous death threats and attempts to silence her, she fearlessly pursued her mission. From handling 300 of cases of domestic violence, including 27 rape cases, to facing threats of violence, Sangita’s journey was fraught with danger and adversity.

Yet, through it all, she never wavered. Her perseverance paid off as she slowly began to mend her relationship with her family, especially her father-in-law and sisters-in-law, who came to appreciate her dedication to the community. Today, Sangita stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of injustice.

From being confined behind a veil to becoming a fearless advocate for women's rights, Sangita’s journey is a remarkable tale of transformation. Her story serves as an inspiration to all, a reminder that no matter the obstacles, change is possible through courage and perseverance.

Sangita describes her journey as "I was trapped with multi-layered violence lifted due to the dowery system; it took years of struggle and trainings to combat those challenges; now I serve as a Social Mobilizer to DJKCY's ActionAid International Nepal supported programme, where I strongly stand for the rights of other women and rightfully advocate against the harmful social norms that have confined women and subjected them to the trauma of violence in their lives. I turned my anguish into power so that I could speak up to those silenced voices in my community that are suffering."