Akshada: when support implies expanding horizons
Life is not always easy for a young woman trying to build a future in an environment where social and family pressures do not always support her dreams. This is the case for Akshada, a youngster who carries expectations she did not choose on her shoulders. Her family insists that she must marry soon “because it’s the tradition.” Faced with this constant pressure, she has accepted an engagement she doesn't feel is right for her.
In addition, there are other difficulties that deeply affect her emotional well-being: her father's alcohol addiction, the financial instability of her home, and the feeling that she has no space to make her own decisions. All of this has led to clear signs of stress and symptoms of depression.
Even so, Akshada perseveres. She has successfully completed her third year of a bachelor’s degree in commerce and continues to train in hospital billing at Tech Mahindra Institute, attending her classes with discipline and commitment. Her initial goal was clear: to find stable employment before making important personal decisions. Today, however, indecision and external pressure have put her at a difficult crossroads.
At Fundación Asha-Kiran, we know that guiding a young woman is not just offering academic or financial support. It is also helping her see possible alternatives, opening windows where circumstances seem to close doors. That is why our team is providing her with close and sustained guidance, encouraging her to prioritize her education and professional future for at least a year before making any final decisions about her marriage. This margin may enable her to find a job, become stronger, and build an economic independence that supports decisions made willingly, not out of obligation.
In times of uncertainty, it can make a difference to have someone who will listen, an impartial presence, and guiding hand that only seeks the greater good. That is the role we aim to play – to be a haven for young people like Akshada by walking the way with them as they build a path toward a life of their own choosing, a full and fulfilling life.