Chandana

“I want to become a teacher, and will negotiate with my family to delay my marriage.”

VOICE 4 GIRLS ‘Camper’

Chandana is a 12-year-old girl who told a VOICE 4 Girls camp counsellor that her family thought she was not a bright student and so her aunt urged her parents to marry her off. She explains how taking part in the VOICE 4 Girls camps improved her knowledge and self-confidence.

“Before camp, I was very under-confident and didn’t think I could achieve anything.I was unaware of the changes happening to my body and couldn’t ask anyone. During camp, I gained confidence. I want to become a teacher, and will negotiate with my family to delay my marriage. I will work hard and prove myself to everyone!”

This story is real. In accordance with Indian and Scottish regulations and recommendations, names and/or photos have been changed to protect identity and to respect confidentiality.

To find out more about children like Chandana that VOICE 4 Girls and our other partners have helped, visit our Stories page here.

Photo of Anika