Won't let my daughter suffer what I went through: Chandrika Solanki

"The ability to take a stand and fight for my rights has cost me my career and family but I have no regrets," says Vadodara based 41-year-old Chandrika Solanki, who has been fighting for rights of ASHA workers.

Chandrikaben's struggle began when she got married in an orthodox family, and despite being in high school then, she was not allowed to study further. It was then she got a taste of going against the norm as she pursued HSC and thereafter B.Ed. "The final straw was when I took up the role of a teacher at a government school. Not only did I face domestic violence but I was harassed and humiliated by my in-laws. In 2010, I got a divorce and left home with my daughter."

It was sometime in 2016, that I met a group of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, who would visit government primary schools to administer vaccinations. Our interactions led me to realise the hardship that they went through for a meagre amount. That day, I started my fight to reward these women for their efforts.

She took time off work to understand the issues they faced that included poor pay, benefits that men get. She travelled nearly 250 villages to counsel women and eventually, had the support of 22 districts.

"For spearheading the state-wide agitation demanding equal pay and equal rights for the workers, I was suspended from the primary school of Kotali village in Sankheda taluka in October 2017. I was lucky to find support in my mother, who was generous with her pension to run the home as well as pay for my daughter's education."

She lost a job of Rs 50,000 per month and could not afford fees of her daughter who was in class 12 then. "Many times, I do feel deterred and dejected, as I lost my job and I could not give good education to my daughter, could not be with her during her crucial years of schooling, but after several protests and hunger strike, when the government increased pay of ASHA workers, it was all worthy.

All I want my daughter to learn is to be independent, educated and take stand for her rights.