From Silence to Song
In the quiet, lush village of Bara Para in Khagrachhari, a young girl named Payel Tripura carried a silence within her. Like many girls in her community, her world was shaped by unspoken rules and deep-seated taboos. Topics of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were shrouded in mystery and misconception. Payel, then a soft-spoken student in class seven, had no awareness of these critical issues that directly impacted her life and future. Her potential was veiled by a familiar shadow: a profound shyness that made her hesitate to speak, to stand, or to share her thoughts with anyone outside her family.
The landscape of her life began to shift in 2020 with the establishment of a Girls’ Club in Bara Para by the OLHF project, implemented by Zabarang. Payel, intrigued, became a member. The club offered a safe space, but initially, Payel remained on the periphery. During sessions led by a dedicated Female Mentor, she would listen but not participate, her eyes often downcast. The discussions on health, rights, and safety were entirely new to her, and the act of voicing her own opinion felt impossible.
Recognizing her potential, the Female Mentor took a gentle, deliberate approach. She didn’t force participation but instead created opportunities. She encouraged Payel to join small group activities, to contribute to collaborative presentations, and most importantly, she fostered an environment of trust and sisterhood. The other girls’ growing curiosity and confidence began to chip away at Payel’s reservations.
The first breakthrough came through an unexpected channel: song. At the Mentor’s request, Payel, who had always loved to sing, agreed to perform for the group. In that moment, melody became her first language of courage. Standing before her peers, her voice, though perhaps tentative at first, found strength. It was a catalyst. The act of performing unlocked a door, and her confidence began to flow into other areas.
She started raising her hand in sessions. She began articulating her thoughts on SRHR, asking questions about MHM, and understanding her rights in the context of GBV. The knowledge was empowering, but the transformation was even more profound. The shy, hesitant girl was steadily becoming a confident, articulate young woman.
Payel’s journey of growth did not remain within the four walls of the Girls’ Club. Inspired by her rediscovered passion, she enrolled at the Khagrachhari Shilpokola Academy to formally train her voice—a decision her parents proudly supported, having witnessed the remarkable positive change in their daughter firsthand.
Today, Payel Tripura is a beacon of confidence in her community. The girl who once could not stand to speak now gracefully moderates events at her school, selected by teachers for her poise and clarity. Her abilities have captivated not just her school but her entire community. She is now a sought-after moderator and performer at local religious festivals, her voice ringing out clear and strong, a symbol of a new generation’s potential.
Reflecting on her transformation, Payel says, “I used to feel very nervous and shy to express my thinking to others. The girls’ club sessions helped me remove that nervousness. The OLHF project gave me the opportunity to become capable, to do any work and talk properly. If I had not enrolled in the girls club, I would not be at this stage today.”
Her story is a powerful testament to the ripple effect of empowerment. The Female Mentor observes, “Girls club played the main role in increasing her confidence and reducing her shyness. OLHF project activities are changing not just Payel, but many other girls, fostering their personal development and capacity building.”
Payel’s hope now extends beyond herself. She dreams that such transformative initiatives will reach every remote village in Khagrachhari, ensuring that every vulnerable girl can step forward, armed with knowledge and self-belief, to build a future free from violence, coercion, and discrimination. From a silence imposed by taboo to a song of self-assurance, Payel’s journey is a resonant success story, proving that when given the right tools and a supportive space, every girl can find the power of her own voice.
By Dayananda Tripura, PC-OLHF