Anusha, the oldest of three sisters from a northern state in India, has faced more hardship in her young life than most could imagine. As a child, she witnessed her father’s abuse of her mother, who later passed away from cancer in 2016. The following year, her father remarried, but instead of bringing stability, life at home became even more painful. Anusha’s stepmother subjected her to constant beatings, starvation, and forced household labor. Her father stood by silently, and when a son was born to the new marriage, Anusha and her sisters were pushed even further into neglect.
She was denied an education and locked inside the house. At her lowest point, the abuse and abandonment were so severe that Anusha and her sisters considered ending their lives. Relatives turned them away, and neighbors who tried to help were threatened.
Eventually, Anusha and her sisters gathered the courage to escape and went to the police, who referred them to Invisible Girl Project. Through our support, Anusha was re-enrolled in school, received tutoring, and her family was offered counseling. For a time, she reconciled with her father, but the abuse soon returned. He deprived her of food and even tried to force her into marriage with a wealthy 40-year-old man. Anusha bravely refused, determined instead to pursue her dream of higher education.
To support herself and her sisters, Anusha began working part-time at a textile shop, earning about $45 a month, while continuing her studies. Just two months before her high school board exams, she left her job to focus fully on schoolwork. Against all odds, she graduated at the top of her class. Afterward, she returned to work to provide for her family while preparing to enroll in a General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) course—a stepping stone toward her dream of a stable career in healthcare.
Despite ongoing challenges at home, she remains emotionally strong, physically healthy, and motivated by a desire to help others. IGP continues to provide her and her sisters with food, education expenses, and even ensured she received a bicycle from school after initially being denied.
Today, Anusha is filled with gratitude and hope. She is determined to build a brighter future—not only for herself, but also for her sisters.
Anusha’s story is one of IGP’s many stories of empowerment and hope. Every day, girls in India face struggles much like hers. IGP is dedicated to reaching these precious girls and giving them opportunities for a bright future. We are the sole international humanitarian organization working with grassroots organizations in India to prevent female gendercide and trafficking and to protect and save girls’ lives. Will you join us to ensure Anusha, her sisters, and other girls like her are valued and SEEN?
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