By Sophie Stephens | Digital Fundraiser
Naina was adopted when she was a small child, after being abandoned when she was a baby, she was scared that she would be left alone once more. Her worst fears soon came true, after her stepparents left her behind when they moved to a new city.
She decided to move to Mumbai to start fresh, however, being a young woman, meant that Naina was vulnerable to exploitation. She was taken advantage of, married to a man who used her for sex work. Her family never permitted her to study, preferring to do all the house chores, thus she was unable to escape her situation.
When Urja, our partner’s project, first met her, she was living on the streets barely getting by. She was not only provided with housing, so she had a safe space to live, but also had access to therapy, where she could process her trauma. Initially, she didn’t get involved with any activities and kept to herself, but as her confidence grew, she learnt about her rights and education empowered her to move slowly towards self-care. Naina took part in yoga, dancing, art-based therapy and movement therapy- focusing on reconnecting with oneself. She learnt to write and sign her own name and once again could look to the future.
She now has employment and is living independently, grateful for the refuge Urja provided to enable her to do. Her only wish is to continue to feel safe and continue to provide for herself in a sustainable and secure employment.
All girls and women should feel and be safe. Thanks to your support it means girls and women like Naina can be.
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