Be the Change

Marginalised children, especially girls, belonging to the most impoverished backgrounds are expected to forfeit their right and desire to go to school because they are expected to manage household chores and sibling rearing. Educating girls is not a priority in many marginalised communities, like Dalits, Adivasis and Meo-Muslims, which results in curbed identity and a lack of necessary skills like negotiation, critical thinking and discerning ability to deal with complex situation. Out-of-school girls and those who drop out of school is a serious concern.The project’s focus lies on developing leadership and life skills that build and enhance the ability of girls from marginalised backgrounds to drive a change in their own communities.

Our experience in girls’ education and leadership skill building emphasises that educated and empowered girls take their learnings to the community, who start to challenge and reshape the limitations placed on girls’ lives. However, academic education does not automatically result in empowering girls; they need help in developing leadership capabilities. Thus, the intervention aims to strengthen girls’ leadership skills so that they can make informed choices and lead dignified lives.

Through the project we look at directly engaging with eight KGBVs and 40 upper primary government schools to create a conducive environment within and outside the schools to support girls’ leadership building and education initiatives.