Restoring Dignity Through Community Support

Bilkis Begum, a marginalized migrant woman, reclaimed her safety and family life
through community arbitration facilitated by the WWPF.
Bilkis, a mother of two in Ward No. 05, endured daily physical and mental harassment
from her husband, Abdus Salam Gaji. She was forced out of her home and lived in
extreme poverty with her parents for a year.
Bilkis shared her situation with WWPF members. They, along with local ex-LGI
representatives and social leaders, arranged an arbitration. Her husband was
confronted, acknowledged his abuse, and signed a formal pledge to stop the violence
and take responsibility for his family.
The WWPF acted as the critical first responder and mobilizer. It leveraged community
leadership to conduct a successful intervention that prioritized dignity and safety. “I had
no one. The forum became my voice and my strength,” says Bilkis.
Bilkis now lives safely with her husband, who cares for the family. This case
strengthened community mechanisms for protecting women and showed that collective
action can resolve family violence.
This story highlights the effectiveness of community-led mediation in restoring rights
and peace. It underscores the WWPF's role as a protector. A social leader involved said,
“We showed that abuse is a community concern, not just a private matter.”