Teen Bride to Leader

Empowering Education: Pravina’s Journey from Village Sarpanch to Education Advocate

Pravina, a resident of Sakdara in Rajasthan’s Pali district, emerged as a beacon of resilience, rising from the challenges of her early life to become the sarpanch (head of the village) of seven villages at the young age of 19.

Affectionately known as ‘Papita’ among the villagers, Pravina served as the sarpanch from 2014 to 2019. Her commitment to the well-being of the people extended to prioritizing education, especially for girls, during her tenure. Despite her own forced withdrawal from school, she harbored a determination to promote education, particularly for young girls.

Pravina’s journey took a transformative turn as she established a girls’ school while serving as the sarpanch.

Actively traversing from village to village, Pravina became an advocate, encouraging parents to send their daughters to school. She even assisted girls in overcoming financial constraints by connecting them with NGOs in the sector.

The hurdles in Pravina’s path began early when, in Class 3, she had to leave school due to her father’s struggles with alcoholism and the ensuing financial difficulties. Forced to contribute to her family’s sustenance, she worked from a young age by tending to farms with borrowed cattle. The looming threat of child marriage further darkened her prospects.

Hope entered Pravina’s life when she caught the attention of Educate Girls, an NGO that persuaded her family to allow her to attend school, providing free education. Enrolled in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), a residential girls’ school for disadvantaged groups in Pali village, Pravina completed her education by the age of 18.

Despite facing financial challenges in her marital home, where she was married to a construction worker, Pravina emerged as the most educated woman in her family. This prompted her to contest Panchayat elections, eventually becoming the sarpanch of seven villages.

Pravina’s influence extended beyond her official duties, with her personal story resonating with families, making them less hesitant to send their girls to school. She emphasized the necessity of compulsory foundational education for all girls, irrespective of their eventual career paths. Pravina’s impactful journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and determination in overcoming adversity.

_{Repurposed article originally published in ShethePeople}