After Isabella* returned from selling vegetables in the market one day last year, her mother-in-law told her that a teacher had stopped by and invited her to join a new education program in their community. Isabella was intrigued and decided to attend the first meeting. After hearing the instructor, a facilitator of WJI’s Women’s Rights Education Program, introduce the topics of women's value and rights, she was hooked.

Isabella’s husband was angry when he found out she was attending the talks. He thought the organization was trying to break them apart as a couple. As Isabella learned more about her rights, she realized that she didn’t have to put up with his violence and abuse. She started telling him about what she was learning in the program. Little by little he began to understand and change his behavior.

At the graduation ceremony 9 months later, WJI gave every graduate a copy of the participant manual to bring home. Isabella’s husband read the entire thing, and more fully grew in his knowledge of women’s rights. Now, Isabella says she feels more valued and has more of a voice in their home. She and her husband understand each other and he is no longer abusive.

Isabella credits WJI’s program with helping her turn her life around. She hopes that more women will take that first step and go to a workshop, like she did, and then work hard to improve their lives.

*name changed