Changing Gender Stereotypes And Fighting Social Evils

Pandrivalasa village in Ananthagirimandal of Visakhapatnam district is located 26 kms. away from Visakhapatnam – Ananthagiri road. People living here belong to the most backward tribal community. Almost everyone in the village is severely addicted to locally brewed liquor. Any occasion such as birth, death, marriage or religious festival is a reason for them to drink.

Tokure Sanyasamma, D/O Lochayya is studying in class 3. She is 12 years old. Her parents are illiterate and addicted to alcohol. Tokure had also become a victim of it and was forced to discontinue her studies. Sponsorship under Project Nanhi Kali did not change the attitudeof her parents as they wanted to get her married. However with the intervention of her school teacher, Naandi field personnel and other members in the community, her parents were counseled and at the last minute her marriage was postponed. Now, Tokure is back in school, studying in class 4.