Binita (23) is the eldest daughter in a financially struggling family. Often, those girls who were born the earliest perform responsibilities that were dictated by gender discrimination and broken cultural norms. First, she was asked to perform household chores more than her younger siblings. Second, she was forced to “sacrifice” for the family and drop out of school. And lastly, she was married off before she even turned 18.
At first, her marriage seemed promising, like most romances do. But it did not take long before her husband showed his true colors. He started to abuse her in their fights and treated her like she was not a woman worthy of dignity and respect. All this abuse ended in his abandoning her. Now, with nowhere else to go, Binita returned to her parents’ home. As if her situation were not already difficult enough, her unkind society made it harder. She faced stigma due to the failed marriage, and this affected her mental health.
Desperate for a change in environment, Binita connected with a stranger on social media who promised her a job overseas as a domestic helper in Oman. Seeking a better life, she agreed to the offer, especially with a promise of receiving a free visa and a ticket.
When she travelled through Bhairahawa, she was not sent to Oman. Instead, she was confined inside a room with other women who were promised the same jobs. Clearly, they were tricked into something much sinister. The man who promised her the promising job went inside the room and constantly assaulted her. He threatened her that if she tried to escape or call the cops on him, she would be badly hurt. Feeling like she had no choice, Binita complied.
Eventually, she managed to escape and sought help from the police. With the assistance of the police, she was rescued and eventually sent home after receiving counseling. Binita is deeply traumatized by this chain of events that keeps leaving her mind in unrest. What she needs is holistic support: a safe place, healthy food, counseling, and community to make her feel heard. Binita was referred to our Women’s Safe Haven. When she started seemingly going back to her old self again, she was enrolled in a skills training program to help her pour her passions and attention towards something else.
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