"Do not give up. Keep trying. Do not look at a door which is closed and stand still, but move and look for the doors which will open". - Ten questions for Sr Veena Jacob on how to #BeBoldForChange

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Each year on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day encourages us all to forge a better working,  more gender inclusive world.

Children on the Edge works with local partners to restore the ingredients of a full childhood to some of the most vulnerable children worldwide. A big part of this is working towards equality in opportunities and an end to discrimination for the girls we work with.

The theme for the 2017 International Women's Day is #BeBoldForChange and we are privileged to be partnering with a number of truly inspirational women, who constantly use boldness and strength to bring about change for the women and girls in their communities.

Sister Veena Jacob is the Director and Founder member of Navjeevan Educational and Social Welfare Centre (NESWC) who we partner with in Bihar State, India. Children on the Edge support them in their work to end discrimination against the Dalit people in Patna, through education and community action.

Sister Veena has been working with Dalit women in Bihar State for the last 11 years. We interviewed her about what inspires her to be bold in creating change, what changes are possible, and how she overcomes obstacles and barriers in her work.

1. Can you describe why you first wanted to work bringing change for women?

When I first came here, I was shocked to see married women who were not allowed out of their houses. I met women who were trapped inside for 14 - 15 years. These women have no freedom to meet other women and share their joys and sorrows. There is a lot of domestic violence and they suffer everything alone. I realised that women had no freedom and were considered as animals. I wanted to break the bonded life of these women. Seeing their struggle I realised the value of freedom and the meaning of freedom.

2. Have there been things that have happened in your life that have inspired you to do the work you do now?

My life was very peaceful, with loving, caring parents. I never struggled for anything. When I met people in Bihar for the first time it was a big challenge for me and I was shocked. Children were not educated. ‘Untouchable’ Dalit people were living in the villages where the caste system dominated. There was poverty, hunger and sickness, theft and homelessness, unemployment and bonded labour. I was so passionate to change the whole of Bihar.

I lived in the village with a Dalit family and lived like a Dalit, doing all the work done by them for three months. This changed and challenged my biases and prejudice. The experience inspired me to dedicate myself to working for their rights.

3. Have there been barriers you have had to overcome to achieve what you are doing now? If so, how did you overcome them?

Yes, there were many barriers. In the convent many sisters could not understand why I was working with these people. Many consider them as a problem and kept themselves away. Dalit women used to come running to the convent for advice on problems or help with sickness. In the end I had to fight to get the freedom to move out.

​The barriers I have in getting opportunities for women are overcome with education. Education transforms people. Information, finance and opportunity can change their lives.

4. Are there any situations in your work that are made particularly difficult or in some cases easier because you are a woman?

Entering into people’s lives is made easier for me because I am a women.  Also, I can talk to men and women alike because I was a nun. People generally have certain respect for women in public places and offices.

5. What are some of the hardest moments you have experienced in what you do?

​The hardest moments are those where women seem helpless. I feel for women who live under domestic violence, but also all situations where they are not educated, do not have any skills or resources to support themselves and their family. The consequences of this can be awful. Women sell their children out of poverty, or can’t meet the basic needs of their children yet make them work and then live on those earnings.

6. What are some of the happiest/most inspiring moments you have experienced with what you do?

I love to see women and children growing in courage, taking bold steps and fighting for their rights in both family and society. When women are leading and taking decisions for their lives I feel very happy. You can see the confidence and self esteem on their faces. I feel very happy because, for them, hope is made alive.

7. What change would you like to bring through your work and for the people you work with?

I would like to see their self esteem and self image grow stronger. I want them to grow in a loving and caring atmosphere.

8. Can you describe any ways that the women and girls you work with have changed, or overcome obstacles in the time you have been working with them?

Women and girls believed that their situations couldn’t be changed but now, after working with them, they have begun to believe that if they are given the right opportunities, change is possible.

9. Are there situations where you have had to be brave or bold to bring about change? How do you overcome your fears?

In one Musahar Village there was a big fight and shooting for the whole night. One high caste man wanted to kill a Dalit Musahar who refused to work for the landlord. The Dalit man had decided to start a small business in Patna instead, selling fruits on the road side. He was beaten so badly that other Dalit people became frightened of the landlord. The whole village was planning to run away from their homes.

We came to know about the situation and went to village to meet with Dalit families and encourage them. We also had meeting with the high caste man and the landlord’s family. It was a risky, but I was bold and was able to negotiate change. 

10. What would you say to encourage women who would like to make a difference in the world?
Do not give up. Keep trying. Do not look at a door which is closed and stand still, but move and look for the doors which will open. 

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