08 March 2010
Shefali Rani, from Gopalganj in central Bangladesh, cannot believe the transformation she has undergone in the last few years. "From an introverted housewife who had no knowledge of the outside world, I now lead the women of my area," she says. The change did not come about easily, though.
Shortly after Shefali married, her husband Babul's family demanded a dowry. Gifts of money from the family of the bride to the family of the bridegroom are an old custom in Bangladesh, but one that is difficult for poor families to meet.
Shefali's father, who often struggled to earn enough even for food, managed to provide a bit of money to Babul, but the demands for further dowry payments continued.
Daily abuse
As is often the case in dowry-related disputes, Babul resorted to physical violence against his wife to persuade her to put more pressure on her family. The violence occurred daily and even Babul's mother joined in.
Fortunately, at this stage Shefali's plight became known to a local charity supported by DFID funding. The charity, Jagorani Sangshta, is a partner of the DFID-backed Manusher Jonno Foundation, an organisation that supports human rights in Bangladesh.
With help from the charity, the dispute between Shefali and Babul was settled – despite threats and opposition from local people – and the violence stopped. But the story didn't end there for Shefali.
After taking up the charity's offer of training on domestic violence issues, Shefali became involved in a local "vigilance team" that looks out for warning signs of spousal abuse in the community. She also started discussing domestic violence with her relatives, neighbours and people from nearby villages.
A trusted voice
Soon Shefali became known in the area for her campaigning and before long her neighbours were encouraging her to stand as a candidate in the local elections. "Though I didn't imagine I would win for a single moment, I decided to honour their demand and participated in the election. And, as you see, I came out victorious," says Shefali, who is now a member of the local council.
Shefali is a popular and trusted voice in the village, taking part in local mediations and arbitrations at the village court. "I always try to support the female victims of torture, so that they get an impartial judgment," she says.