Manasa
Inspired by VOICE 4 Girls camps, Manasa wrote a book to help girls in her village
VOICE 4 GIRLS ‘Camper’
Manasa’s father passed away and her mother earns very little as an agricultural labourer, leaving Manasa very vulnerable.
“It is not easy to be a girl in my village,” she explains in a video on the VOICE 4 Girls website. “When parents want to get their daughters married off, it is difficult to stop them. Girls do not get to decide their own futures. I used to think about my life negatively. But after attending VOICE 4 Girls camps I think positively. I have learnt that boys and girls are equal and deserve the same opportunities. I must work hard to reach my goals and not let anyone stop me.”
After completing the VOICE 4 Girls Sakhi peer leadership training, Manasa is teaching younger girls and parents about the importance of educating girls and delaying marriage. She has written a book called ‘Naa Lakshyam’ (My Aim) for the girls in her village and is negotiating with parents to delay marrying their daughters.
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.
