Rukhsana speaks clearly and goes to the point. She is not shy when she lists the disadvantages of her status as a girl without financial means, and is very much aware of her rights. The amazing thing is that she is so articulate despite being 16, Indian, a girl, and a slum dweller.
This young girl leads a group of 22 children where they talk about their rights and practical things such as how to improve their school, where there is only one classroom for 90 students of all ages. “It's overcrowded, teachers can’t teach everyone. There are also ventilation problems”, she says. They have sent their requests to the government in writing, but have received little response so far. She says, however, that “Thanks to this I have come to know the rights we have as children”.
The oldest of five siblings, she regularly attends the programs that Chetanalaya, a local NGO, has been implementing for 15 years in the peripheral areas of New Delhi, which include advice on hygiene, financial assistance to renovate people’s shacks, and microcredits to start small businesses and strengthen academic tutoring at an early age. They also offer self-defense classes for women and girls in the slum area.
Her family understands that studying is important for her to have a chance of surmounting her paralyzing material poverty, and would love for her to go to college. In regard to this possibility, his father says, “It’s hard to find a way to do it. I’m the only one who works and there are seven of us at home. My salary is 5,000 rupees (about 40€) as a delivery man. We have just enough to make ends meet.”
Meanwhile, Rukhsana is glad that her parents allow her to continue going to school. “Many girls can’t study because their parents do not want them to. They have to stay home and take care of their siblings and can’t go to school or participate in training programs. I understand it because they are looking after their siblings, but I’m sorry that they have to give up their studies. Normally they get married around 16 and then have children right away. Getting married isn’t part of my plans until I finish my studies” she says.
Source: periodismohumano.com
