Pseudonyms have been used to protect the identity of women.
Ashini is a 19 year old girl. Since childhood she has been a victim of sexual abuse from her father – the family breadwinner, and an alcoholic. At age 14 she was forced to marry, advocated greatly by her mother who thought that this would be a way-out for Ashini to escape the on-going abuse from her father. After marrying, Ashini had a baby boy. When confiding in her husband about her brutal past and the activities of her father, Ashini’s husband attempted to persuade her to engage in sexual activities as a profession. Voicing comments such as ‘you did it with your father, so why can’t we make some money out of it?’, he repeatedly asked her to perform sexual acts with his friends who were ‘willing to pay’. Ashini was pushed to a breaking point, and moved back to her parents house where the abuse from her father began once again.
Ashini works as a domestic laborer. After explaining her situation to one of her employers she was given help to get in touch with AWAG. Since then, Ashini has been residing in AWAG’s short stay home. AWAG has given her regular counseling, as she maintains to suffer various psychological issues. We have also started filing a legal case against her husband, in order for her to gain the owed compensation and the right to her child, who at present remains with her father. Being away from her son, she suffers severe depression. She is also constantly anxious about her two younger sisters who remain living in her father’s house.
Ashini has suffered a life of on-going abuse and suffering. AWAG is taking the necessary steps to assist her in overcoming the problems of her past and giving her a bright, stable and empowered future. Whilst staying in the short stay home she has also been involved with AWAG’s income generation branch – EK AWAG. She is being trained in stitching garments and accessories, assisting her in skill building, on her path to gaining economic independence.