By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
Mewat, Haryana: We came across a caravan of BSP supporters headed towards Gurgaon for a rally to be addressed by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati. It seems ironic that a region that is known as most discriminatory against women is reposing faith in a woman leader in solving their daily issues. There was not even one woman in this caravan of 14 cars.
But we press on to meet a woman who finds inspiration in Mayawati. We meet Ghaushia Khan holding her court outside the newly built Sessions Court building in Nuh, a city in Mewat district of Haryana. She is a government appointed arbitrator and was trying to resolve dispute between two brothers in a hut outside the court premises.
Mewat is a long way journey from Hyderabad where Ghaushia was born. She was married off at a young age but in reality it was a case of trafficking. Haryana is a major hub in trafficking of girls in India. “Contrary to popular belief, most trafficking is primarily for cheap labor not sexual exploitation,” says Shafiq Rahman Khan, who has been working in this region for a number of years. “Trafficked women work as labourers in factories, farms, and houses and cost nothing more than food.”
Ghaushia worked all through her life as labourer to help support her family. She is now part of Empower People, an organization that Shafiq R. Khan has helped setup that is working to stop “bride trafficking.” Now she leads a team of volunteers to track down women who have been trafficked helping rescue them or fight with the family & police to get them their rights and help them live a life of dignity.
Ghoushia’s story is a story of courage, determination, and respect earned. She has shown a leadership quality and confident enough to talk to police officers, judges, and abusive husbands. “Paro” is a term used to describe trafficked women; some of them end up here from as far away as Assam, Bengal, Bihar or as in Ghoushia’s case Hyderabad.
Now Ghoushia Khan has her ambition set on contesting the elections. She appears confident and hope to be a candidate in next Haryana assembly election. Even if she doesn’t win, her presence in the election contest will bring attention to this important issue. Her story will empower other trafficked women who now feel that they have no dignity. “In case she polls good number of votes it will affect the government and administration in recognizing this issue,” says Shafiq R. Khan.
But unlike Mayawati who went to university and had a Kanshi Ram as her political mentor, Ghousia doesn’t know how to read or write and she has to chart her own path in politics.