At first glance, sisters Mansi (17), Astha (15), and Sana* (11) seem like any other children, but their quiet demeanor belies a heartbreaking story of pain and neglect. Their childhood was not filled with love and laughter but overshadowed by the fear and cruelty of feeling unwanted. Their father Santosh abused their mother Sonia for years, blaming her for not bearing a son. Sonia did her best to protect her daughters, but in June 2016 she passed away, leaving her daughters to their unpredictable fate at the hands of Santosh.
Santosh remarried a woman named Meghna who beat the girls mercilessly, deprived them of food, and forced them into endless household chores. Their father allowed the abuse, and when Meghna gave birth to a son the sisters became even more despised as a burden, stripped of their right to an education and given only one meal a day. The government scholarship funds meant for their schooling were stolen and used for Santosh and Meghna’s personal needs, resulting in the loss of a year of education for the girls.
Desperate Measures
Even the girls’ extended family turned their backs on them, unwilling to take on the responsibility of caring for them. Neighbors who tried to offer food were met with threats and hostility from Santosh and Meghna. Meghna’s relatives joined in the abuse, and the few precious possessions left behind by the girls’ mother were taken by Meghna for her personal gain. The girls were repeatedly told that they should have died along with their mother. Hopeless and desperate, the sisters attempted to run away, but realizing they had nowhere to go they considered ending their lives. Just as despair was about to consume them, the police found them and intervened to change the course of their lives.
Intervention and Support
A formal complaint was filed by villagers who confirmed the girls’ horrifying testimony, and the Justice Hub team stepped in to place the girls with relatives while it worked tirelessly to re-enroll them in school and provide tuition support. After Santosh and Meghna underwent counseling sessions intended to create a safer environment, the sisters were sent back to live with them. However, the abuse continued, with their father even attempting to force Mansi into marrying a 40-year-old man from a wealthy family. On a routine home visit, the Justice Hub staff uncovered the continued abuse and immediately intervened.
Today, the sisters still live with Santosh and Meghna but they are no longer alone in their fight for a better life. Justice Hub partners are accompanying them on their journey, providing them with food rations and funds for tuition and school fees. The girls have received counseling and are learning to believe in a future where they are not just survivors but dreamers and achievers. To ensure their long-term independence, the Justice Hub is supporting their education and skill-building through opportunities in nursing and midwifery, vocational training, and computer courses.
A Future of Hope
Their story could have ended in tragedy, but the persistent efforts of community members and Justice Hub partners gave the sisters a chance to rewrite their future.
*All names have been changed to protect identities
