Beli Ara

I was barely 15 when my stepmother arranged my marriage to an already married 55-year-old day labourer. My husband’s house was derelict – the roof leaked and I had to sleep on hay on the cold floor. My husband was abusive towards me. I had to escape to my father’s house, my stepmother forced me to go back. I could not give up; I had my children to look after. I made ends meet by working as a housemaid. Eventually an opportunity emerged when I was approached by BRAC’s Ultra Poor Graduation programme’s staff, and I took a leap towards change. I received training on rearing goats and chickens; learned about financial management, savings, financial planning; and other social and health issues. With hard work and determination, I improved my financial condition. Nearly 10 years on, I own a house and poultry. The skills I learned and the network I built, helped me become a union parishad member in 2016. I am happy to say that I received a national recognition—the prestigious Joyeeta Award. Today, I campaign against child marriage and gender-based violence. I dream of a just world with no child marriage and dowry, a safe space that recognises women’s empowerment.

Beli Ara
Dinajpur, Bangladesh