Once a domestic abuse survivor, Anju Ara Akther Ratna, has turned out to be an inspiration to other survivors as she could rewrite her destiny with grit and perseverance. With the assistance of the One-Stop Crisis Center, primarily based on Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, she became capable of finding justice against her oppressors and also became an entrepreneur.

That Ratna was subjected to repression, got narrowly alive dying in her husband’s hand, she presently is showing a path of living to many subjugated women.

Ratna was married-off in 2002. Her poor parents gifted gold, furniture, bicycle and Taka 20,000 cash as dowry to her husband. She had no other demand except a nice family.

But, the fortune of Ratna was not so smooth and problems were created in her family just after few days of her marriage. Her husband Milan was giving pressure to bring more money from her parents and the force had increased day by day. Once, they started physical and mental repression to Ratna. Even, she was beaten severely by her husband when she was pregnant for four months and none of her in-law’s family came to save her.

The neighbours came to protect Ratna and sent her to a relative house. Later, she was sent to a hospital.

The story of Ratna could stop here. But, her real story began from here and she became well after getting month-long treatment from One-Stop Crisis Center of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. She lodged a case with Mahanpur Thana against her husband and the police arrested her husband- Milan and his family members.

Ratna, whose full name is Anju Ara Akther Ratna, didn’t know what will happen in future. But, one day she was called by the crisis center and they helped her. She started business of boutiques. And now, she is running two businesses – a beauty parlor and a boutique house. She is now passing her days happily along with her school-going boy.

Ratna said, “It was not so easy to become successful in my life. My husband and his family members tried to kill me. But I escaped. After lodging case, I had fallen into different problems. They forced me to withdraw the case. Even, they threatened to kill me. But, I was determined.”

She said there is also another reason. “And it was my child. I wanted to do something for my child. I also need to be empowered to encourage other women,” she said.

Human rights activist Advocate Monowara Haque said Bangladesh is now a role model in women empowerment before the globe. And it is possible only for the willpower and time-befitting steps of the Awami League government, she added.

She said women are now holding many top positions at different sectors and discharging their responsibilities with utmost sincerity. Women don’t want to be left behind any longer, she added.

Source:

1

2