Rumi Kumari, 18, is all set to cast her vote for the first time in this Lok Sabha Election. Excited about playing a role in selecting the next leaders of her constituency, Rumi has high expectations from the leader she would vote.
“Good education, women’s safety and end of child marriage are some of the steps, I would want the elected leader to take,” she said.
Rumi has such demands as she has a firsthand experience of child labour and a narrow escape from child marriage.
Resident of Pahantoli village in Burmu block of Ranchi, Rumi was forced to work as a domestic help at the young age of eight.
“I come from a very poor family of 10 people. The situation back then was such that we couldn’t even get food so when a man approached my family saying that if they let me go with him he will provide me education and give my parents money if I do some household chores,” she said.
Excited to study, Rumi happily went with the man, only to have her dreams shattered. The little girl was forced to work through the day, not given any money and when she enquired about education she was shouted at. Left with no option, she ran from the house of employers and reached home.
However, instead of supporting her, Rumi’s family decided to marry her off when she attained the age of 10, just like her other four sisters, the eldest of whom was married off at the age of 6 and sent to live with her in laws.
When she realized what was happening, Rumi protested. “There was a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in my school, where I took admission with the help of teachers and block officers. Since then I never looked back,” she said.
Now that she is of the age of voting, Rumi wants to select a leader who understands these problems and work towards solving them so that more girls like her do not have to face such crisis.
Presently pursuing graduation and working part time to support her studies Rumi said, “Education is the key. My parents tried to marry me off because they were uneducated. Another problem I and many other girls face is harassment by drunkards on the road, so safety definitely should be an agenda.”
She also advocates alcohol ban as it leads to problems in houses, harassment of girls and many other issues.