By Bhuvaneshwari 

Bhuvaneshwari’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of family and community. Born and raised in the small town of Kodiyal in Karnataka, she faced numerous challenges from a young age, including financial hardships, a difficult marriage, and workplace violence. However, with the unwavering support of her mother and the guidance of her union leader, Nagarathna, Bhuvaneshwari found the strength to overcome these obstacles and emerge as a powerful advocate for the rights of women workers. Her story is one of transformation, hope, and the courage to turn fear into strength. 

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Born and raised in the small town of Kodiyal in Mandya District, Karnataka, I am one of three siblings – an older sister, myself, and a younger brother. Our father worked tirelessly to support our family, juggling between tailoring work during the day and security guard duties at night. His hard work and dedication allowed me to pursue my education until the 10th standard, and life became a little more comfortable when my brother started working and contributing to the family income. 

At the age of 20, my parents arranged my marriage, spending Rs. 5 lakhs on the ceremony. However, my married life was far from happy. I have a stammer, and my husband, and his sister, constantly persecuted me. After enduring two years of hardship, I made the difficult decision to leave my husband and return to my parents’ home in Bangalore. It was my mother’s unwavering support and love that gave me the strength to forge a new path for myself and my 4-year-old son, whom she now cares for while I work to support us. 

With encouragement from a neighbor, I began working at a garment factory as a checker. Though I briefly left this job to assist with my sister’s wedding preparations, I soon found employment at Shahi 8 as a feeding helper. It was there that I faced one of the greatest challenges of my life. After a few months, my supervisor began subjecting me to verbal and sexual abuse. I suffered in silence until I met Nagarathna, the President of the Union. Her support and guidance helped me gain the confidence to file a complaint with the Internal Committee (IC). 

Pursuing the complaint was not easy, as my co-workers distanced themselves from me, disapproving of my actions. However, with the union’s support, I found the strength to persevere and appear for the inquiry. When the management finally terminated the abusive supervisor, I felt a sense of relief and pride. Now, I use my experience to help other workers, taking them to Union representatives whenever I witness misconduct or abuse. I am confident in my ability to face any challenge in the factory with courage. 

Throughout my journey, my mother has been my rock. When neighbors pressured her to send me back to my husband, she stood firmly by my side, offering me unconditional love and support. Nagarathna, too, has played a crucial role in my growth, teaching me how to face workplace challenges head-on. Inspired by her empathy, I am now an active participant in union activities, fighting for the rights and justice of my fellow workers. 

My dreams for the future are simple yet meaningful. I aspire to provide my son with a good education and to take care of my aging parents. In my free time, I find joy in listening to Kannada film songs and teaching my son to read, while also helping my mother with household chores. 

To all my fellow women workers, I want to say this: when you face workplace violence and harassment, remember that it is not your fault, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. The perpetrator is the one who should feel ashamed. By joining the union, I found the strength to fight for my rights and emerge victorious. As women, we possess immense strength, and we must learn to transform our fear into courage. 

My journey has not been easy, but it has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, courage, and the power of unity. As I continue to navigate life’s challenges, I draw strength from the unwavering support of my mother and the solidarity of my fellow union members. Together, we will continue to fight for justice and build a better future for ourselves and generations to come. 

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Bhuvaneshwari’s story is part of ‘Labour Sheroes,’ an initiative under the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Asia Floor Wage Alliance. Through this series, we share the stories of women garment workers from South and Southeast Asia who are breaking barriers, fighting against workplace violence and harassment, and leading the change for better working conditions in the global garment industry.