In the training, I learned that before teaching the children, a teacher must remove his/her inner hesitation. The teacher should make children feel comfortable so that they can talk about their problems and try to solve them. To help children concentrate on studies. From here I learned how to educate the children by making the school’s environment pleasant so that they are comfortable and learn without fear.
- Ajita Singh Gaur, Government Teacher, Badi Jugauli Primary School, Lucknow

There are a lot of things we see around us, but do not realize that they are wrong. This training made me think about the injustice we face in our lives but are not aware of. This was a very good experience for me and I learned something that will help me further in life.
- Saima, SHEF-HCL-Uday Facilitator

Although I had never thought about gender issues until now, during this training I came to know why the situation of women is so pathetic and why such disparities have spread in society. To me it feels like a good thing that I can openly talk to all about these things, to my family, my students or any other person
- Prashant, SHEF-HCL-Uday Facilitator

The life we were living before this training was completely dark. After these three days, my perspective of thinking about myself and others has changed so much.
- Archana, SHEF-HCL-Uday Facilitator

“I understood through this training how rules made by a patriarchal system and imposed on women have been the biggest cause of sexist oppression against them.”
- Ajay Kumar Chaudhary, U.P.S. Rawal, Adesar

“We felt and understood that we are also a part of this patriarchal system which disregards half the population.”
- Susheel Kumar, Girls U.P.S. Dariyapur

“I would like to create a caring environment for children in my school so that both girls and boys can share their problems with teachers without any hesitation or shame.”
- Sanjay Kumar, U.P.S. Bargadaha

“A new insight that I gained during the training was regarding the concept of gender. Gender is something that is imposed on individuals and not something that a child is born knowing inherently. It is the members of a society who set down gender roles defining what boys and girls can and cannot do.”
- Suman Gupta, U.P.S. Bilariya

“Through this training I got to recognize the real face of gender discrimination and gender violence, and realised how until now, we had accepted so many instances of sexist oppression against us. I found the discussion on domestic violence against women particularly impactful as I learnt about the range of actions and behaviors that come under the purview of violence against girls and women.”
- Sapna Bharti, U.P.S. Makanpur

“My understanding of gender has expanded after this training. Earlier we used to think that gender simply denotes male or female but during the workshop I saw that gender also encompasses societal norms.”
- Neha Verma, U.P.S. Akaichanpur, Laharpur Block

"I was married off when I was just 16 years old. I faced domestic violence and was put under a lot of constraints. I knew that continuing my education was the only way to find my identity. I completed my Bachelor’s in Education and went on to get this job at a KGBV. But my inlaws have not changed and I had given up all hope of altering their mindset. Now after talking to you all I feel I should give it another shot. I have decided that from today I will no longer tolerate their abusive behaviour."
- Girija, KGBV Kurebhar, Sultanpur

"I was a tom-boy before marriage and was introduced to the harsh reality of being a girl in a patriarchal setup only after I saw my parents struggling to meet the dowry demands. I also had trouble adjusting after marriage as too many restrictions were put on me. I used to cry a lot and no one cared. I had accepted this as my destiny but after this training I feel I am empowered enough to change things at home."
- Divya, KGBV Sitapur

"I was educated and I always urged my husband to let me go out and work but he did not let me. I continued to pursue my case and then came a time when we started facing financial difficulties. It was during that time my mother in-law supported me and let me go out to work. My husband did not talk to me for a year but now things are back to normal. But somewhere deep down I regretted going against my husband. Now after this training session I no longer harbour that regret. I strongly believe I did the right thing."
- Mamta, KGBV Akbarabad, Aligarh

"This was the first time in my life that I was in an environment where I could speak my mind without the fear of being judged. I felt like I had been freed from a cage. Please do call me again for such trainings."
- Shail Kumari, KGBV Tiloi, Amethi

"I was always afraid to speak up for the fear of being judged. I never thought about myself and my rights. I always put my family first. But now that I have been a part of this Aarohini Initiative, this will change."
- Priyanka, KGBV Hardoi

"Before I came for this training I had a student who was forced into a child marriage, and I thought that if the police is not doing anything, what can I do? I wish I had met the Aarohini team earlier. I would have known what to do. From now onwards I will do everything in my power to stop child marriages.
- Pratima, KGBV Sevapuri, Varanasi