From 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day), the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. This year’s theme is to “End Gender-Based Violence in the World of Work”. These 16 days we will be sharing the stories of our very own ‘Siyani Sahelian’ (Wise Friends) who have faced violence and freed themselves through education. There are many more like them but they are faceless; these have come to the forefront due to their deeds and images.
Yasmin Sadiq, a 15 year old girl, lives in Mosa Colony, Bahawalpur (Asia’s largest ‘kachi abadi’) with her family. Until just 2017, Yasmin was enrolled in a Government school in her area. This was the only school in her village and happened to be co-education. In her society, girls interacting with boys is seen as immoral and heavily opposed by elders. Naturally, Yasmin’s family was very opposed to her attending this school, as their daughter’s attendance of a co-education school was perceived to bring shame to the family name. They threatened their daughter to drop out of school but Yasmin was adamant on attaining an education and knew the family would not pay fees for a private education.
As Yasmin grew older and hit puberty, the threats escalated to physical abuse. This was too much for her and last year she dropped out of school, succumbing to societal pressures. Yasmin’s Quran teacher was aware of her struggles and would often help Yasmin by providing some textbooks for her to study at home, but without someone at home to help teach her this means of education wasn’t fruitful for Yasmin.
This year, Yasmin was approached by ITA’s Siyani Sahelian team and informed of the second chance education program. When her family learned that Siyani Sahelian catered only to girls and provided safe transport to the Hub, they consented to Yasmin enrolling in the program. Yasmin aims to use this education to advocate for girl-friendly schools so girls can enroll in any school and still rest assured that they will be safe from gender-based violence. She hopes this will ensure no other girl is abused at home or in the community again just for having to attend a co-education school.
*Note: Names have been changed to protect the identity of the mentioned persons.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA)
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA)
