Jawale is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She was married when she was 20 years old.[1]
In December 2000, Jawale's parents were unable to fulfil her husband's demand for more dowry payments.[2] Her husband then set her on fire with kerosene in the presence of their four-year-old son.[1][3] Jawale suffered 80 per cent burns and spent two-and-a-half months in hospital.[4] After the attack, her husband asked her family not to file a police complaint.[5] Her husband later filed for divorce in a court in Osmanabad, which was granted,[5] and took her son away.[6]
After her divorce, Jawale sold her jewellery, rented a house and achieved an education degree. She was unable to find paid work, so became an astrologer and tarot reader to earn money.[4] Jawale also became an activist, and participated in the 2013 One Billion Rising campaign.[4]
In 2014, Jawale starred in Yael Faber's theatre play, Nirbhaya,[2][3][7] performing in 300 shows worldwide.[4][8] The play is named after one of the pseudonyms of the 2012 Delhi gang-rape and murder victim, Jyoti Singh,[9][10] and is based on the experiences of survivors of domestic violence in India.[11] Jawale shared her personal testimony during the performances.[12][13]
Jawale has also worked a guest anchor at BBC India,[1] presenting explainer videos.[14]
She was named a BBC 100 Woman in 2022.[2][11][15]