Who is Nurjahan Khatun?

Nurjahan Khatun is a survivor of trafficking, taken away at the tender age of 14 or 15. She was rescued at 17, but by then, her spirit was crushed. Her life became a constant battle—against herself, her family, and the judgment of neighbours. Overwhelmed, she struggled with the mental toll of her circumstances.

It was at this low point that she connected with an organization that became her anchor. Here, she began rebuilding her inner strength, learning to fight stigma, and standing up to her family and community. This journey gave her the courage to pursue justice against her traffickers. Determined to reclaim her rights, Nurjahan transformed into a Bijoyini Council Leader.

As part of Bijoyini, she actively worked to raise awareness and combat societal evils like child marriage, domestic violence, child labour, and trafficking. During this time, she met Salauddin Mondal, a young man from a neighbouring block. Their relationship blossomed into love, culminating in both a social and registered marriage in 2019. By the end of 2021, they were blessed with a baby boy.

The Unfolding Struggles

However, life remained unkind to Nurjahan. She discovered her husband had a previous wife and child. Despite this revelation, she accepted him. But her husband began exploiting her financially, constantly asking for money under various simulation—work, business ventures, and more. Instead, he used the money for gambling and substance abuse.

When Nurjahan couldn’t meet his demands, he subjected her to brutal physical abuse. Haunted by her past, she endured the violence silently. While tirelessly advocating for other survivors of abuse and exploitation, she found it difficult to take a stand for herself.

Taking a Stand

At last, Nurjahan decided enough was enough. She shared her decision with her parents and sought legal advice from a lawyer at the Basirhat Court. With their guidance, she documented her painful experience in a written statement.

On October 30, 2024, she filed a domestic violence case against her husband at the Haroa Police Station.

As a peer supporter, we stood by her side, offering her the strength and guidance she needed to take this brave step.

Nurjahan Khatun is a true testament to resilience—a survivor who continues to fight for her rights and inspire others to do the same.