Turning Courage into Community Leadership
Name: Niyaz Banu
Age: 19 Years
Village: Nimaisara, Malda
Role: Youth Facilitator
Niyaz Banu grew up in a modest household in Malda, where opportunities were limited and expectations for girls were often shaped by traditional norms. Quiet by nature, she rarely imagined that one day she would become a leader working alongside other adolescents to strengthen her community.
Her journey with Praajak began when she joined a Kabaddi group and learning circle as a young adolescent. However, during her class 10th, she was forced by her parents to attend a madrasa for religious studies, even though she was not willing to do so. This decision deeply affected her, as her sports career and regular learning pathway were compromised. Despite this challenge, she did not lose hope. She maintained her telephonic connection and regular communication with us, sharing her struggles and staying emotionally connected to the programme.
The knowledge she gained became especially meaningful when she experienced a difficult situation during adolescence. Equipped with information about personal safety, bodily autonomy, and available support systems, she was able to seek help from trusted adults and ensure that appropriate action was taken. This experience strengthened her belief that every child deserves to live free from violence and that speaking up can make a difference.
As she grew older, Niyaz also learned to participate more actively in decisions affecting her own education and future. Her confidence gradually expanded beyond her own life and into her community.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when regular programme activities faced disruptions, Niyaz stepped forward to support younger participants. She helped organise group meetings, encouraged other girls to stay connected, and contributed to awareness activities promoting child protection, education, and gender equality. Over time, she became a trusted volunteer animator, supporting adolescents through discussions, community mobilisation, and peer learning.
Her leadership also extended to environmental action. Concerned about the loss of green spaces and increasing heat in her locality, she worked with other young people to promote tree plantation initiatives. Together, they collaborated with local stakeholders to plant saplings in appropriate public spaces and encouraged community members to take shared responsibility for nurturing them. Today, many of those trees continue to grow, symbolising the community’s collective commitment to a healthier environment.
Living in Malda has also made Niyaz aware of the impact of riverbank erosion and seasonal flooding on children’s lives. Listening to young people from North Bengal further deepened her understanding of climate-related challenges across different regions—from floods and erosion to landslides and water scarcity. These conversations strengthened her belief that children and adolescents should be recognised as important contributors to local climate resilience and community planning.
Today, Niyaz supports more than fifty adolescent girls as a volunteer animator, facilitating discussions on gender equality, child safety, climate action, and community participation. She encourages young people to recognise their strengths, exercise their rights responsibly, and work together to create safer and more inclusive communities.
Niyaz’s journey demonstrates that when adolescents are provided with safe spaces, supportive relationships, and opportunities to lead, they become confident changemakers capable of creating lasting impact for themselves and those around them.
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