Seema Raiswal, 22 years old, is the oldest amongst her four siblings. Her journey has been filled with hardships, from being married at the young age of 19 to being a survivor of domestic violence. It took a lot of courage for her to file for a divorce. Taking this step “daring to leave as she did not want to be beaten up” she realized the need to become financially independent. She came to know about Azad through a friend and decided to take the leap and with her keen interest and optimism she cleared her driving license test in the first attempt and completed her training. Seema, was financially responsible for herself, her parents and also had to pay the lawyer’s fees for the divorce procedures. So she sought and received financial support from Azad through a scholarship for vulnerable single women. This helped her meet her expenses while she was undergoing training. While she was seeking employment, post training, her in-laws came back to her with a proposal to take her back and settle the case she had registered, so she gave them a second chance. She thought she would look for a job through Sakha in Delhi where her in-laws were living. However, going back she realized to her dismay that she was not allowed to go out and talk to anyone, and soon the abuse began as well. This time when she left her husband and in-laws, she vowed never to go back. Through Sakha, Seema, secured a job at an all women garage where she is working as a service advisor. Today, Seema, is living life on her own terms with a decent income and dignity. She says, “I do not cry in the courtroom, unlike other women”, I have become emotionally strong now. Seema’s biggest dream now is to buy a plot of land to build her own house. She sees owning her own house as a vital need, so that in case she marries again in future, she can ask her husband to stay at her own house.