Stories of Change

However, her journey was far from easy. In her community, most girls were married by the age of 15 or 16. Ambika, on the other hand, continued her education beyond the age of 18 and remained actively involved in youth activities. She frequently travelled with both male and female members of the organisation to attend programmes and, on some occasions, even stayed away from home overnight for organisational work. These activities attracted harsh criticism, social stigma, and constant questioning from both her family and the wider community.

The knowledge and confidence she gained through gender training gave her the strength to withstand these pressures. She realised that surrendering to social expectations would mean giving up her dreams. Instead, she made a firm commitment to build an independent life for herself and support other women in becoming financially self-reliant.

“No matter how much social pressure I face, I will stand on my own feet. And I will do everything I can to help more women become economically independent.”

Determined to stay true to this vision, Ambika postponed marriage for many years. In a community where girls were commonly married before the age of 16, she chose to marry only at the age of 34—with her own informed consent, her family’s support, and to a partner of her choice. Even her decision to marry was carefully considered so that it would not hinder her social work or her mission to empower women.

While still in college, Ambika joined a Self-Help Group (SHG). Within a few years, she became the leader of the federation and played a vital role in connecting women with government loans and livelihood opportunities. Under her leadership, thousands of women across the Chaitanyapur-II Gram Panchayat gained access to economic opportunities and began building sustainable sources of income.

Ambika’s commitment to women’s empowerment did not stop there. After completing college, she continued her association with Praajak while enrolling in carpet-weaving training at the Sargachi Ramakrishna Mission. Her dedication and skills soon earned her the role of Assistant Trainer, where she trained numerous young women in carpet weaving. This not only equipped them with valuable vocational skills but also opened doors to sustainable employment and financial independence.

During this period, her family continued to pressure her to marry. However, as Ambika became financially independent and started contributing to her family’s well-being, their perception gradually changed. Their trust in her abilities grew stronger. When her elder brother fell seriously ill, Ambika took full responsibility for his treatment, accompanying him to hospitals in Kolkata and Bengaluru until he recovered. These experiences further strengthened her family’s confidence in her leadership and sense of responsibility.

Building on her experience as a federation leader, Ambika later secured a government position at the Block Office. Yet, despite achieving career stability, she never stepped away from her commitment to community development. Instead, she established a carpet-weaving training centre at her own home. To date, she has trained nearly 280 women, helping them acquire practical skills and connecting them with employment opportunities, enabling many to become economically self-reliant.

Reflecting on her journey, Ambika believes that without her association with Praajak—and particularly without the gender training she received—she might never have realised that a girl could choose not to marry early, pursue her dreams, become financially independent, and build a meaningful career. She came to understand that women can lead, make independent decisions, support their families, and become powerful agents of social change.

Today, Ambika remains an active member of Praajak’s Shakti Songjog Federation, contributing to initiatives that prevent gender-based violence and promote women’s empowerment. She also provides financial support every year to strengthen these efforts.

Ambika’s story is a living reflection of the vision behind the Santan Suraksha Samiti initiative. The programme aimed to help young people understand gender equality, identify the root causes of child marriage, and develop the confidence to challenge discriminatory social norms within their families and communities. Ambika did far more than absorb these lessons—she transformed them into action. She rejected child marriage, challenged harmful gender norms, achieved financial independence, and created opportunities that have changed the lives of hundreds of women.

Today, Ambika Haldar is more than a successful woman. She is proof that awareness can lead to leadership, and leadership can inspire lasting social change. Her journey stands as a beacon of hope for future generations of girls, reminding them that everyone has the right to dream—and that with knowledge, courage, and determination, those dreams can become reality.

View other stories of change