Arifa Khan is our fellow from Narsinghpur Madhya Pradesh.

Her story of struggle and redemption begins when she was only a child.

Her father was extremely abusive, physically and emotionally towards her mother. She says “i saw her father beating up her mother everyday, my mother wasn't allowed to set foot out of the house, as my father believed women are their husbands property”

Her father was also angered by the fact her mother encouraged her daughters’ education. But one day violence escalated to the extent that Arifa decided to leave the house with her mother and siblings.

Due to her father's influence she faced homelessness for a few days, then found a small house.

“My father kept telling us we are nothing without him and his family told us a man can beat his wife it happens everywhere”

Even though the whole family struggled to make ends meet but did not return to their house.

She took tuitions and tailored women's clothing to complete her Post graduation.

After completing her education, she wasn't able to find a suitable husband to marry her as she was given the title of “homebreaker” by everyone around her.

However, she was married off by collecting funds from her relatives and neighbours.

But her struggles continued as her husband came from a very poor household.

I didn't just have to care for my natal family but help with my husband's debt.

However after many failed business ventures she got a job as an LIC agent. Too many responsibilities caused a strain in her marriage and she separated from her husband.

This was a dark phase but a turning point came when she joined Sewa Dal and Mahila Congress.

She was able to help many women who were facing similar situations.

She also worked with Sarvodya and held many workshops to sensitize men about women's oppression.

She joined the Indira Fellowship to help women get access to the political sphere. “I believe I am part of a historical revolution where women are coming forward to seek their rights from the justice system. I believe women now have a platform where they are going to be recognised for their talent and hardwork”.