Unmatched bravery of a woman Battling for Dignity

“Due to the nationwide lockdown imposed at the outbreak of COVID-19, I lost my source of income. Such unusual times bring the realisation of how important it is to have a helping hand in life.”

Nargis is a courageous woman in her early 40’s. Her determination houses tremendous strength to uphold the mirror of reality onto the face of a patriarchal society which assumes women to be weak.

Pertaining to dissonances, Nargis was divorced by her husband. Her ex-husband remarried and her five children lived with their father and stepmother. Nargis did not receive any compensation to sustain herself after the divorce. Despite trying to communicate with the children’s father regarding child custody and support, she could get neither in her attempts.

The incidents that followed, left Nargis with no choice but to separate from her children, “I was in Delhi. Even my children believed that women are born to work and produce babies. They thought that their father was right, and none were convinced by my choice. So, I left my children. I also left that place forever and came back to Dehradun.”

Nargis decided to start her life anew, “ I could no longer bear the torture. I am not educated but I decided to sustain myself by doing any kind of work.” Nargis struggled against the bitter emotions that rose out of the divorce. It was a tough time for her to heal mentally. Yet, she succeeded in taking the first step towards living a better life.

“I wanted to be self-reliant. I started staying on my own in rented accommodation.  I earned enough for my survival through dishwashing and massage work.” But a harsh impediment came up with the COVID-19 lockdown. “Due to the nationwide lockdown imposed at the outbreak of COVID-19, I lost my source of income. Such unusual times bring the realisation of how important it is to have a helping hand in life.”

In response to COVID-19, CASA extended a helping hand to Nargis. “I don’t have a ration card so I was not entitled to receive support from any Government schemes. In my dire days of need, CASA helped me. I am thankful to them for supporting me with Rs. 1000/- cash and one-month ration.”

CASA prioritises helping the most vulnerable during these extraordinary times of the pandemic. We are endeavouring to support the ones who are battling desperately against the unanticipated odds for their survival.

written by Kajol Tanaya, Intern, Communications