Unlike a lot of children, Aruna didn’t experience a carefree childhood. Rather than playing with toys, Aruna used to sell toys with her parents at a nearby temple to ensure their survival. As soon as Aruna turned 15, her parents married her off to a construction worker.
Aruna’s suffering didn’t end there; in fact, it became worse as she was abused by her mother-in-law at her in-laws’ house. Hopeless, Aruna tolerated all the emotional and physical pain with a tight lip and eyes swelled up with tears. Little did Aruna know her life would change for the better when she was registered as an EMG under the IMAGE Next project in 2019.
The staff members motivated Aruna to attend the sessions and training conducted by the project but Aruna had to say no to all of them due to the refusal from her mother in law. When the project organised tailoring classes a few days later, her mother-in-law allowed her to attend those as it would add additional income to the family. From there on, Aruna started attending all the awareness sessions about the prevention mechanisms of child marriage.
It didn’t take Aruna much time to understand the gravity of child marriage issues happening around her. After understanding the negative impact child marriage creates, Aruna decided to volunteer for movement activities where she accompanied the project staff in spreading awareness about the ill effects of child marriage. She began developing courage and self confidence.
Becoming a movement leader of the IMAGE project, Aruna was trained well on the steps to prevent a child marriage if a situation arises. She displayed her learning not just once but multiple times as she was able to prevent 8 child marriages from taking place. Aruna also identified 15 EMGs and got them enrolled in the project so they too can go on from being child marriage victims to becoming the agents of change in their society.
Aruna shares, “In one of the meetings, we were taught about the child helpline and how to prevent child marriages. When I came forward to prevent the first child marriage, I was too afraid. I was in a dilemma, whether I should inform the team or not; how people will react if they get to know I was the one who informed, etc. Tons of questions were spinning in my head.”
Aruna finally assembled the courage to come forward and stop child marriages as she wants to see girls “going to schools rather than their in-laws’ house”. She felt happy and at peace that she was able to save 8 girls from becoming victims of child abuse and exploitation.
She says, “Child Marriage has to be addressed with the enforcement of strict rules. I will continue my work not only to prevent but also to educate the other adolescent girls to value their education and their raise voice against child marriage. Thanks to the IMAGE project for making me a movement leader.”