Lalita Devi Mukhiya Saptari

“These days I spend my time in the fields cutting grass. I tie the hay, I cook, I wash dishes and this is how my day is spent. For me, I have not been to school and I do not know how to read a book. My father and mother did not worry too much about my education. Now, it is too late even if I want to. Who is going to do the work if I go sit in the classroom? I will be someone to laugh at, in the school, home, and the village. I do not have a helper at home to assist me with the house chores. My husband is the only son in his family. He does not work, he just roams around. Father-in-law is taking care of him until now. Father-in-law runs a small tea shop in the corner. I do not know why my husband does not want to work here. Every time someone mentions, he keeps on saying, ‘I will go to foreign and work there but not here’. He is the only son so Father-in-law and Mother-in-law do not agree with him about going elsewhere to work. So he has even more excuse not to work. Even if he manages to find a job, he cannot keep it for long. And he drinks too. Sometimes, he starts in the morning. I have been married for 3 years now and I have not had a son or a daughter. So he keeps taunting me. And I keep listening. I have asked him that we go see a doctor about this problem but he does not want to. The only wish I have is to have a baby. And also, my husband stops drinking. Only then, I will find happiness in this life.”

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