ABNER MANZAR - Digital Empowerment Foundation

VijaylaxmiSharmaVijaylaxmi sharma abolished childmarriadge from her village.Vijaylaxmi Sharma, 24, B.Ed from village Jhorinda bhojpura inPhagi district of Rajasthan was born when her mother was only 14years old. Kamla Sharma had all her 3 children by the age of 19which is when she had an operation after which she couldn't givebirth. The other two children are vijay Sharma, 22 B.Ed and MaheshSharma, 20 pursuing polytechnic in civil. When Vijaylaxmigot to the age of 13, she saw her friend (same age) getting married.Her friend gave birth next year and died. Raju (vijaylaxmi's nickname)saw this coming her way as well. She used to listen to herparents talking to one of her uncles about marriage. She used tohide and listen to all this. One day she shouted out, "I am not gettingmarried at this age!" Her parents were shocked. They hadnever seen her daughter like this before. Her mother admits thatshe cursed her. But she saw the silent support of her fathers. Oneday she said to her father, "please give me your support, I will notdishonour our family". He agreed, that is when her fit against childmarriage started. Slowly she got the support of her whole familyand now the family together has stopped 15 child marriages intheir village and the surrounding villages.RED RICKSHAW REVOLUTIONA report by 14 year old boy11