From Fear to Hope: Tania’s Journey Towards a Safer Home
Name: Tania Chopra (Name Changed)
Age: 15 Years
Village: Dihika, Burnpur
Role: Collective Member
Tania Chopra, an eighth-grade student from Dihika village, has always been a diligent and thoughtful young girl. She lives with her parents and elder sister and is deeply committed to her studies. Yet, behind her quiet smile was a fear she carried every day.
Tania was afraid that something might happen to her father again. She found it difficult to express her fears or speak openly about what was happening at home. When she once spoke about it in front of her mother, she was told, “Don’t tell anyone. Such things happen in every household. You have to accept it.”
But Tania gradually learned that violence and abuse are not something that anyone should have to accept.
About a year ago, Tania became involved with Praajak. Through gender sessions and conversations with other young people, she began to understand issues of violence, respect, equality and healthy relationships more clearly. She realised that the violence she had witnessed at home was not normal or acceptable—and that change was possible.
Instead of confronting her father through arguments, Tania began finding different ways to communicate with him. She used stories and everyday conversations to help him understand how his behaviour affected him and his family. Slowly, she began to see a change.
Today, Tania’s father has significantly reduced his substance use. The violence and frequent quarrels at home have decreased, and the family environment has become much more peaceful. Tania’s mother is no longer subjected to the same violence and distress as before.
For Tania, the biggest change has been the courage to speak, understand and believe that her family can be different.
Her journey reminds us that when young people are given the knowledge, confidence and space to speak, they can become powerful agents of change—not only in their own lives, but within their families and communities.
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