“Engaging men in gender awareness training, New Delhi”. Photo by World Vision Ireland
Rajesh Kardam and his older daughter Swati. Rajesh Kardam is a member of the Men Care Group, started by World Vision in his community. To tackle gender based violence including Early marriage, it is necessary to bring in mens focus to address such violence, hence World Vision started Men Care Group, giving men a platform to gather together and improve their understanding of how gender inequality impacts relationships between men and women. Swati, Rajeshs daughter is 9 years old and in Grade 4. She loves her father very much and listens to his advice carefully. “I love my daddy. He makes me happy by getting me dresses and frocks.I want to make my father happy too. Daddy says I must study hard and become a doctor so that I can save the sick by giving them medicine. I want to be a doctor and make my daddy happy,” says 9-year-old Swati. “This tradition of choosing boy over girl has be going on from generations. I want to change it. I have 2 daughters. I desire for them to study. And I will educate them. I will educate them enough so that they can get good government jobs and be in a position to help society; help the poor. I desire for my elder girl to be a doctor. The poor people who dont get help, I desire my daughter to help them. My younger daughter I desire her to be an IAS officer,” says Rajesh Kardam.