Millions of women around the world are affected by domestic violence every day. There are harrowing statistics that cannot be ignored. According to the World Health Organisation, almost a third of women who have been in a relationship say they have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. While many suffer in silence, there are few who gather the courage to move out of abusive relationships and create a life of dignity for themselves and their kids.
By telling the stories of such survivors, we want to let others know that it’s possible to overcome the trauma of domestic violence and to create a beautiful life for yourself. With the help of their heartbreaking yet powerful & inspiring stories, we want to show them that there is always a way out.
Here is one such inspiring story shared with HoB that is filled with faith and hope.
This woman shared how she played the role of a good wife while accepting her husband’s abuse for a long time. Until the day she couldn’t take it anymore. This is when her life took a turn for the better.
“I had an arranged marriage & shifted to Mumbai. I was looking forward to a new life — but I didn’t know that my husband never wanted me. I was a burden to him, so much so that he’d beat me up.
My mom was a widow & I didn’t want to worry her. I didn’t have the means to get a job to sustain myself. So I kept quiet & played the role of a good wife. Hoping that one day he’d accept me.
Soon, I gave birth to a son. I thought life would get better. Spending time with my son gave me solace — he was my only family. But my husband’s behaviour just worsened. He never paid attention to my son’s needs & never cared for him. We didn’t exist to him.
The tipping point was when once, my husband didn’t like what I had cooked. So he grabbed a heavy object & hit me on the head. I was bleeding & crying, my son saw it. My neighbours & landlord heard my cries & came to see what happened. They threatened my husband that they’d call the police.
That night, my husband left us. He filed for a divorce soon. I was left all alone with a house & a child to look after. Soon, one of my neighbours suggested that I take up sewing for a living. It was the only way to survive. I collected money somehow & bought a machine.
I worked hard & enrolled my son in an English medium school. I didn’t know English myself, so I learnt alphabets from my relatives & taught him. My son supported me. He always ran to the market & bought whatever I needed. He even learnt household chores at an early age. So when I was working, he took care of the house!
I managed to pay for his college. Things were looking up, but I wanted the best for him. That’s when I somehow got a loan, & sent him to Canada for further studies!
He had to pass an English test before going & he scored 8.5 out of 9! I couldn’t be prouder. All the years of blood, sweat & tears had paid off.
Now he’s earning & he says that it’s my time to relax. We’ve been through a lot — without knowing if we’d make it. I count every blessing we have today, because life is unpredictable & situations may not work in your favour — but all you can do is rise to the occasion & have faith.
Who knows? Things may turn out to be much better, than you’d expect them to be.”
At IFORHER, we are in awe of this inspiring woman, who fought against life circumstances to create a beautiful life for herself and her son. We hope her inspiring struggle will give a ray of hope to many others fighting for their dignity and respect.Â
A humble request to the reader: In case you know of a domestic abuse victim, please don’t tell the victim to suffer in silence. Please don’t bog her down by telling her what will happen to her kids or how she lacks the means to sustain herself. Rather, give her the courage and strength to move out of her abusive marriage and fight these circumstances. Because no reason is a good reason to stay back in an abusive and toxic marriage. These victims deserve happiness and a life of dignity as much as you and I do. So, stand with them, not against them!