Every meal that lands on the family’s plate carries the invisible effort of women of the family. Women spent a significant portion of their day planning, then cooking and serving meals to each of the family member tailored to their liking. Meals and food preferences – what to eat? what’s in the next meal? – often form the core of daily conversations between mothers and their families. What initially appears to be an ordinary routine, actually reveals deeper layers of care, responsibility, and influence. It made us reflect – perhaps this is a quiet but profound form of empowerment, where mothers express through the choices they make for their loved ones. In attending to everyone’s tastes and well-being, they create spaces of connection, nurture, and subtle strength within the household.

Looking from another viewpoint, it’s the women in the household who silently hold the delicate thread of food security for their families in villages and towns. In today’s world of soaring prices and shrinking incomes, ensuring basic calorie count through three meals becomes difficult and meeting nutritional needs an uphill battle. Being the silent managers, women tend to swap vegetables for cheaper starches, dilute dairy products, stretch a handful of lentils and rice. As a nation, we are experiencing food insecurity – 56% children under five years of age suffers food deficiency and 55% women of reproductive age are particularly susceptible to both hidden hunger and micronutrient deficiencies.

Fostering integrated approaches that combine education on healthy diets and public health measures, nutrition gardens help households adopt sustainable practices, ensure access to fresh produce, and promote long-term well-being. It is basically a home garden used to grow a seasonal variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits that enables families to have a reliable source of vegetables and supports financial savings on groceries, season after season. Even in the last Poshan Maah, an annual movement under Poshan Abhiyaan – convergence based program by Department of Woman and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare it was recognised. Eighth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2025 had a theme on Holistic Approach to Nutrition – Ek Ped Maa ke Naam as its intervention to promote sustainability and nutrition awareness.

Adopting the intervention to Ek Baag Maa Ke Naam – strengthens families, food security, and women’s empowerment. By creating nutri-gardens, households gain access to fresh, nutritious produce every season, ensuring wholesome meals daily. Each vegetable sapling becomes a tribute to the love, hidden resilience, and silent strength of women who hold their families together. It stimulates a sense of pride, transforming their everyday efforts into a lasting symbol of sustenance and empowerment. Nutri-gardens- where care grows, and empowerment blooms.

Under the Prabhat Nutrition Program, this approach has been operationalised at scale with 12,623 nutri-gardens distributed across five districts in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. One of our beneficiaries, Shardaben from Mithirohar village in Gandhidham shared that she makes a daily savings of approximately INR 70-80, which adds up to INR 2400-2500 per month from the nutri-garden provided. Shardaben is a mother of four school-going children and works as a cook in the village school expressed that with the right support she can now easily take charge of her family’s nutrition and well-being. Similarly, Mr. Tarsem from Nalas Kalan village in Rajpura extended his thanks by sharing, earlier they were spending money but were not sure what they were eating. Her adolescent granddaughter Varsha was also experiencing early symptoms of anaemia and were seeking sustainable nutritional support. It was beyond their imagination that the empty space in their backyard could be put to that use.

Ek Baag har Maa ke Naam stands as a reminder that when mothers are supported with simple, sustainable tools, they do not just grow vegetables – they cultivate healthier families, stronger communities, and a more nourished future.

Vasundra Kapoor, Megha Paul

References:
Chopra, H., Paul, B., Virk, A., Pandey, G., & Lahariya, C. (2023). Triple burden of malnutrition among children in India: Current scenario and the way forward. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 90(Suppl 1), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-023-04739-x

International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) & ICF. (2021). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019–21. Mumbai, India: IIPS.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF, & Population Council. (2019). Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi.

Nambiar, A., & Arunachalam, D. (2025). Child food deficiency in India: Socio-demographic and regional patterns. Child Indicators Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-025-10246-6

Singh, S. K., Chauhan, A., Sharma, S. K., Puri, P., Pedgaonkar, S., Dwivedi, L. K., & Taillie, L. S. (2023). Cultural and contextual drivers of triple burden of malnutrition among children in India. Nutrients, 15(15), 3478. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153478

In India, over one million people are affected by sickle cell disease annually, with a significant prevalence in tribal communities across states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. The disease is characterized by the production of abnormally shaped red blood cells, leading to chronic pain, infections, and other serious complications.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Government of India, has launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, aiming to eliminate the disease as a public health problem by 2047. This mission targets to screen approximately 7.0 crore people under 40 years of age in the next 3 years, distributing genetic status cards, and prioritizing the health of tribal communities. The special focus is on Madhya Pradesh. As a response to this call for action, IPE Global Centre for Knowledge and Development (CKD) implemented a campaign to sensitise and educate school going students in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, on SCA. SCA is commonly found in Jhabua, and the Department of Tribal Affairs, along with the health department, have been addressing this concern, working to initiate testing and treatment of SCA. Our project Sashakt, was a successful model, on how with multi stakeholder engagement and launching an effective SBCC campaign, awareness can be build. This indeed was an important milestone in lives of many families, who by mere testing and treatment, will prevent the penetration of SCA into the future generations.

During the course of the interventions, it was found that Adolescents with SCA face a range of challenges that affect their physical health, psychological well-being, social interactions, and educational opportunities. These health issues can result in reduced exercise capacity, growth delays, and increased susceptibility to infections, which can further impair their quality of life. There are multiple facets of issues faced by an adolescent with SCA which are not limited to health only.

Psychologically, the chronic nature of the disease and its complications can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Adolescents may struggle with the burden of managing a lifelong condition, which can eventually affect their self-esteem and mental health.

Socially, the recurrent health problems associated with SCA can lead to absenteeism from school and social events, limiting adolescents’ opportunities to form friendships and participate in normal activities. This can result in a sense of alienation and hinder their social development.

From education perspective, the impact of SCA on cognitive functions such as attentiveness and memory can affect academic performance. Frequent absences from school due to illness or medical appointments can lead to gaps in learning and lower educational attainment, which can have long-term consequences on their career prospects.

The impact of sickle cell disease extends beyond the individual; it affects families and communities, hindering growth and development. Therefore, addressing sickle cell anemia is not just a health imperative but also from the socio-economic perspective.

Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Day, observed every year on June 19th, serves as an important platform to educate the public about the disease, its challenges, and treatment options. It’s a day to advocate for those living with sickle cell anemia and to call for increased support and resources. As we commemorate Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Day, let’s remember that it’s more than just a day of awareness—it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that through collective efforts, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.

If menstrual health and hygiene is well managed from the start, it has a surprisingly high potential to contribute to increasing female empowerment at a critical stage of a girls’ life so  Let’s get it Right:. Menstruation is a natural and essential part of the reproductive cycle experienced by menstruators worldwide. Unfortunately, it remains shrouded in stigma and misinformation, perpetuating harmful taboos that hinder women’s well-being and equality. According to the most recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5, more than 30 per cent of women between the ages of 15 and 24 do not use hygienic methods of protection during their menstrual period. And have you wondered where trans men dispose their menstrual waste? To address the issue of period inclusivity, poverty and hygiene, it is crucial to start a dialogue on menstruation, break the taboos, and end the stigma surrounding this normal bodily function. By doing so, we can raise awareness about the challenges faced by menstruators regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation, and the need for period-friendly sanitation facilities. Mobilizing adequate funding will be essential to ensure action at scale and empower women from all walks of life.

There is need for action on 5 fronts-

Breaking the Taboos and Ending Stigma:  

To break the taboos and end the stigma surrounding menstruation, open and inclusive conversations must take place at various levels, including families, communities, educational institutions, and the media. Menstruation must be looked at through the lens of intersectionality. Access and the burden of social taboos do not cut across socio-economic layers equally. Information dissemination and myth-busting should be a priority for any work that is centred around Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management. It essential to dispel myths, challenge cultural beliefs, and provide accurate information about menstruation. By promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding, we can create an environment where women feel comfortable discussing menstruation openly and seeking the support they need. The ecosystem around a menstruating woman needs to be strengthened in order to ensure that it is conducive for all.

Women are still told not to visit temples during their periods. In many families in India, women can’t perform spiritual activities or go close to auspicious celebrations. Ankita, 36 years old, shares, “At my previous workplace, I was forced to carry my used menstrual pad back home because they didn’t want their male housekeeping staff to manage menstrual waste. They felt it brings them bad luck to see the “dirty blood.”

Mahesh(Name changed for confidentiality), a trans man from Delhi, shares the challenges he faced around access to menstrual products because periods are considered as an “only women’s” issue. “I am not sure where to dispose my pads in public toilets or toilets at work since people think only females menstruate.” Most people are unaware of the struggle transmen have to go through while they are on their periods. It indicates how less we understand periods as a society.

Educating About Menstruation:

The May ’22 report published by UNICEF states that 71% of adolescent girls in India remain unaware of menstruation until they get their first period.

Education plays a pivotal role in dismantling the barriers associated with menstruation. Comprehensive and inclusive menstrual health education should be integrated into school curricula, ensuring that young girls and boys receive accurate information about menstruation from an early age. This education should cover biological aspects, emotional well-being, hygiene practices, and the use of menstrual products. The shame attached to menstruation along with inaccessibility to menstrual hygiene has integral role to play in girls dropping out of schools. The promotion of knowledge and understanding empowers individuals to make informed choices and eliminate the fear and shame associated with menstruation.

In a heart-breaking incident that sent shockwaves throughout the country, a 12-year-old girl was brutally tortured and killed by her brother in Ulhasnagar, Thane district. The young girl had just started menstruating and had period stains on her clothes, which her brother mistook for evidence of an affair. We can tell how women’s lives are controlled by those who have never cared to know all about periods.

Addressing Challenges in Access to Menstrual Products:

Lack of access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products is a significant challenge faced by menstruators in many parts of the world. This issue hampers their ability to participate fully in social, educational, and economic activities. Governments, NGOs, and private entities must work together to ensure the availability and affordability of menstrual products, especially in marginalized communities. Additionally, initiatives promoting reusable and sustainable alternatives can contribute to long-term environmental and economic benefits. According to NFHS-5, access to safe menstrual practices is inversely proportional to their economic status.

Pakistani Hindu refugee women who have been living at Signature bridge in the capital of the country have had no access to menstrual products. They use dry leaf and lose soil to manage their period flow. It is shocking to come across these stories in 2023.

Creating Period-Friendly Sanitation Facilities:

Inadequate sanitation facilities pose a severe challenge for menstruators during menstruation. Many public spaces, schools, and workplaces need clean and private toilets, proper waste disposal systems, and access to water. This not only compromises women’s health but also leads to their exclusion and discomfort. Governments and organizations should prioritize constructing and maintaining period-friendly sanitation facilities, including separate toilets equipped with clean water, sanitary bins, and handwashing facilities. Such efforts will contribute to women’s and girls’ overall well-being and dignity.

Mobilizing Funding for Action at Scale:

To effectively address the challenges related to menstruation, sufficient funding is crucial. Governments, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector should allocate resources to support comprehensive menstrual health programs. These funds can be utilized to establish education programs, provide access to affordable menstrual products, and improve sanitation facilities. Mobilizing funding at a larger scale will enable sustainable change, ensuring that all women, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to the support and resources they need.

Even though available infrastructure is a major starting point to ensure equity in access to Menstrual Hygiene and Health, starting a dialogue on menstruation, breaking the taboos, and ending the stigma surrounding this natural bodily function is essential for women’s empowerment and gender equality. By raising awareness about the challenges related to access to menstrual products, education, and period-friendly sanitation facilities, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society. Mobilizing adequate funding is crucial to implement sustainable initiatives at scale. Through these combined efforts, we can ensure that menstruation ceases to be a source of shame and instead becomes a catalyst for positive change. There is a need for strategic partnerships among multiple stakeholders to ensure diverse reach for the cause.

There are hopes for the day when no menstruator will face period poverty, no trans man will feel ashamed of buying pads off the counter and no girl will be told to not participate in any activity because she was menstruating.

A call for action, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, is observed on November 25, which marks the launch of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, concluding on the day commemorating International Human Rights Day on December 10. The theme for 16 Days of Activism this year is ending femicides again.

Women in India are not safe in private or public spaces. With a surge of national-level campaigns against GBV in India, the action on education, awareness, and advocacy has escalated significantly. However, the rate of crime against women and girls has only gone up. During the 16 days of Activism, activists and institutions around the world speak up against violence against women and girls (VAWG) through various awareness and advocacy campaigns and stand in solidarity, rightfully demanding a world free from VAWG.

Gender-based violence is not just confined to physical abuse or domestic violence but also includes honour-killing, sex trafficking, intimate partner violence, violence at work, marital rapes, dating violence, female genital mutilation, and violence perpetuated based on caste, class, religion, and other intersectional factors. The ramifications of such forms of violence are irrevocable and grave. Harmful gender norms are so deeply rooted in our society that sometimes, victims of violence don’t even realise they are being subjected to it repeatedly. While global organisations and UN bodies have been investing in girl-led programs to end GBV, they have also learned that men and boys are required to be involved in the conversation. Campaigns like “He for She” have steadily increased the participation of men and boys speaking out for gender equity and have influenced men worldwide to stand against VAWG. This outcome accentuates the need for including men and boys in educational and advocacy programs.

The major causes of gender-based violence are lack of education on gender equality, poverty, economic dependence on women, and weak laws. Harmful practices like child marriage also make girls easy and vulnerable victims of violence. India is estimated to have over 24 million child brides. 40% of the world’s 60 million child marriages take place in India, according to the National Family Health Survey. India has the 14th highest rate of child marriage in the world, according to the International Centre for Research on Women. When girls are not able to complete their education and are married off early, they lose the power to speak up for their rights and get mired in the vicious cycle of oppression. Hence, the consequences of violence for the victims are lifelong. But violence against women is not just limited to vulnerable groups; women who are independent and educated also face violence from their partners, close relations, and at the workplace. Women at workplaces face inequality in the form of unequal pay, harassment, and mental suppression based on their gender, appearance, marital status, and other differences. Women and girls develop body confidence and self-esteem issues that can be life-threatening if not addressed.

The National Commission for Women received complaints of violence against women from across the country, which recorded an over two-fold increase in complaints since the imposition of the lockdown in the country during COVID-19. In April 2020, 89% of all cases reported were Domestic Violence (DV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) cases. This reinstates the fact that women and girls are not safe in their own homes and spaces.

We need stringent laws and punitive actions against crimes such as dating violence, cybercrime, child marriage, acid attacks, and any form of violence that has so far been seen as acceptable and considered harmless. Harmful gender inequality perpetuates systemic GBV in societies and acts as a deterrent to creating robust legal redressal and referral mechanisms for women and girls. Gender equity would seem far from being achieved if we did not get all national and global stakeholders to proactively work toward ending gender-based violence against women and girls in all spaces. We need more programs in India that are based on the girl effect theory of change, determined to develop the unique potential of adolescent girls to end poverty and oppression for themselves, their families, and their communities. Stakeholders on all levels are being called out to make investments in measures to end GBV and strengthen the gender rights movement as the issue is inextricably linked with the whole well-being of women and the entire society as it impacts education, health, maternal health, food security and economic stability resulting to collateral damage.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence brings millions of women’s rights activists, defenders, governments, GBV coalitions, universities, youth organisations, policymakers, and survivors of violence together to speak for gender equity. With the increasing number of voices coming together yearly, the global community continues to amplify the urgent need for multiple interventions to create a safer world for women and girls. If we all keep striving to end violence against women, we hope that in the time to come, there will be no need for campaigns like “Bell Bajao (Ring the bell)- a shout out to end domestic violence” because, hopefully, by then, all voices will be rising for a world of equity, a world free from violence and fear of violence.

Fortunately, there are many business model that are responding to the needs of SDGs and acting socially and environmentally responsible. Our society is becoming proactive towards reusability, saving energy, and taking steps to reduce ecological footprint. However, with finite resources left, the need for making green entrepreneurship a mandatory has risen. SDGs advocate for businesses to be economically profitable, environmentally conscious, and ethical.

Every single product that one can think of, affects our environment disproportionately. For instance- did you know that one sanitary pad (a menstrual product) is made with plastic of at least 4 bag quantity. The manufacturers have used harmful chemicals like dioxin in pads. Where does this annual trash of 9000 tons lands up? In our landfills, and it takes about 500-800 years for these used products to disintegrate. They never get decomposed fully. So, what it if we could change this by producing them by prioritising environment safety and sustainability? It would change everything about that one product’s impact on climate change. Green entrepreneurship is about making that every business follows the same ideology. Protecting the environment is one of the most important issues of our time. Therefore, it is important to support green entrepreneurs to increase their number.

Green entrepreneurs are important for economic development. Green entrepreneurs can make a significant contribution to eliminating unemployment, poverty, and most importantly, climate issues. Green entrepreneurs have a greater role in environmentally friendly practices and environmental tasks than other entrepreneurs. They can provide environmentally friendly products and services or clean technology assistance etc. Hence, they can actively contribute to the Green economy. We need to increase green entrepreneurs in number globally, by using multiple interventions through law, lobbying, awareness drives, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.

A sustainable business knows that if it depletes the resources that it is using faster than they can be generated, it cannot go on indefinitely. Similarly, viewing itself as part of the broader community, it ensures that its staff are paid fairly and have a good quality of life. Since the production and usage of resources goes as far and wide as human race goes, it is necessary that the green entrepreneurship mandates are made on governmental and legal levels.

Green entrepreneurship is not just limited to responsible production but also involves inclusive and well-thought engagement of people coming from marginalised groups, all intersectionally.

As the planet continues to be impacted by rising temperatures, heightening sea levels and a plethora of extreme weather conditions, rethinking socio-economic development is important more than ever before. Green entrepreneurs will see opportunity in the climate change challenge and will reshape how businesses were ever looked at. This intervention can change the very nature of capitalist organizations as well.

Global communities are becoming more aware of time and urgency of climate. Today’s educated and aware consumer wants to consume responsibly, and wants to invest in products that are not robbing future generations of their right to fresh natural resources.

This intention needs to become strong and surging. The entrepreneurs can participate this advocacy campaign globally and influence fellow entrepreneurs from global communities to support green economy and ethical practices to save the environment. In the 21 st century, the efficacy of environmental entrepreneurship in mitigating the effects of environmental pollution, particularly in emerging Asian economies, has become much more pertinent. Asia is the largest continent in the world, and the most polluted one as well. In 2020, the Asian continent alone produced 16.75 billion metric tons of CO 2  emissions, which were more than the total combined emissions of all other continents.

Since the introduction of sustainable development goals (SDGs) by the United Nations (UN) in 2015, sustainable development has become the primary target of every nation and the central fo cus of every discussion. And environmental (green) entrepreneurship is an emerging area of research, and it has become a hot topic among empirics and policymakers as a potential candidate to fight against global warming and climate change.

Despite the importance of green entrepreneurship, there is not enough data available to entrepreneurs to make it a reality. They are bereft of this awareness and know little about how going green will not just save the climate but will also expand opportunities for them to remain sustainable and relevant, economically, and rationally. In building up a business, green entrepreneurs focus not only on the growth of the venture, but also enable greener and more sustainable ecosystems. A recent report looked at the four most common sectors that green entrepreneurs engage with: renewable energy, circular economy and waste management, sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, and sustainable forest management.

Hence, climate change education is extremely important to scale up the ideology of green entrepreneurship. The key to mainstream the practice is education, certifying and auditory bodies to keep a check on ethics of production in relation with saving climate on war-footing.

There is direct relationship between climate change and waste management and recycling that entrepreneurs need to invest in. Recycling, as we know, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy consumption. Using recycled materials to make new products reduces the need for virgin materials. This avoids greenhouse gas emissions that would result from extracting or mining virgin materials. Ergo, this gives the spectrum of green organizational practices another dimension to grab this intervention as not just a way to save climate but also
by create possibilities to end issues are poverty and unemployment which will eventually crosscut other sustainable goals.

However, it is imperative that enough data is provided in relation with various businesses to help them 1. Reduce their production and packaging waste 2. Invest in recycling 3. Create resources to dispose trash responsibly without leaving an impact on environment. These policies and procedures need to be adhered by all organizations with regular compliance recorded by a designated body or Ministry.

If green entrepreneurship is cascaded meticulously, we as a planet can achieve so much for climate action. It’s no secret that green practices have helped the planet to slow down carbon emissions which would have been way drastic otherwise and this makes us believe that collective efforts can help us save the planet and conserve nature.

As India celebrates 75 years of its independence, it’s important to introspect and ask if we have succeeded in ensuring gender equality with the early provision of women’s voting rights. Have we created an equitable future for all? Are men and women on equal footing in 2022 India?

Gender equality ensures that despite the sex assigned at birth, every individual exercises the same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. For example, women should be paid equally for equal work as their male counterparts. However, the concept of equity is fairer as it accommodates the intersectional angle of disadvantage and vulnerability. Equity refers to justice and fairness and recognises the need for additional support to overcome socio-historical oppression to establish equality. Gender equity is a prerequisite for gender equality. To achieve the full potential of India’s demographic dividend, gender equality is inevitable.

Evaluating the existing inequalities from an intersectional lens of the disadvantage is critical. For example, women from socially and economically poor backgrounds face additional challenges besides gender-induced vulnerability. When an employed urban woman experiences gender discrimination regarding unequal pay and opportunities to uplift her career, rural women struggle to ensure primary education and health services. Deep-rooted social norms and patriarchal establishments hinder her from achieving anything. Therefore, it is vital to address the socio-economic barriers to challenge the gross imbalance experienced by the most marginalised women.

Talking to Pushpa, a tribal woman from Udaipur- about the importance of agency and voice, as a part of the formative research conducted-provoked my thought as she asked me, “I am dependent on my husband for everything, for food, clothes, medicine, etc. I don’t earn anything. So how can I speak for myself and demand anything? What if he stops supporting me financially? Where will I go, and what will I do?

Women like Pushpa who are financially dependent lack the agency of exercising household-level bargaining to ensure equal access to food, education and opportunities. In addition, there are significant barriers stemming from the social positioning of women. The deep-rooted social norms push women from opportunities to learn and earn, placing them in the stereotypical role of a caregiver. Since childhood, it is considered natural for a girl to do household work. In contrast, a boy is kept aloof from the kitchen, reinforcing adulthood in the form of women bearing caregiving burdens while men participate in economic activities.

Gender inequality imposes serious and long-standing consequences on women and young girls, pushing them to child marriage, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, exploitation, and violence, challenging women’s physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. This demands the need to establish comprehensive interventions that uplift the marginalised women by addressing the intersectional disadvantage.

Women’s Social and Economic empowerment is a powerful tool for achieving gender equality.

Project Udaan and Manzil, funded by CIFF (Children’s Investment Fund Foundation) and implemented by IPE Global- a development sector organisation working for women and girls empowerment-sets a good example, addressing the regressive social and gender norms at the
community level that hinders women’s access to education and participation in the workforce. Udaan is a five-year project aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies in Rajasthan, challenging deep-rooted social and economic, factors. One of the strategies of Udaan bridged the gap in girls’ access to education by fixing the demand and supply side barriers.

The Udaan coordinators engaged with the community through different activities and in-person counselling sessions to make them aware of the importance of girls’ education and how the existing government scholarship schemes can enable their daughters to study, challenging
economic hardships. The community awareness sessions were tailored to propagate the idea that a girl child is not a burden to the family but an asset. In addition, the Udaan project engaged with the government of Rajasthan to simplify the scholarship application process through IT-based solutions and reduce the documentation requirement. Committed strategic engagement with the state education department of Rajasthan helped to release the backlogged funds and ensured timely initiation of the scholarship application process and fund disbursement. From 2017 till now, Udaan facilitated the enrollment of nearly 52000 additional girls in secondary school and averted approximately 17500 early marriages.

Recognising the importance of economic participation, Project Manzil has been implemented as the next step for Udaan to ensure an effective transition from school to further studies and work by improving the provision of vocational skills in schools, apprenticeships, and jobs. Over the past two years, the project helped close to 34000 girls to complete vocational courses (28,000 in-school and 6,000 out-of-school). Among them, more than 5000 who attended on-the-job training are employed now. Manzil has significantly improved the attitude of girls and their parents and enhanced their willingness to even travel for 10km to attend the courses

Udaan and Manzil call for development sector reforms by empowering the girls socially, as well as economically and urged them to grow as financially independent women with voice, choice, and agency. Education is the most powerful tool for women to move towards freedom and
equity. Informed participation in decision-making within and outside the family positively impacts their well-being.

Udaan’s champion balikas anchor the program at the grass root level, inspiring many girls to study. The Manzils girls represent the empowered young crowd pursuing higher education and employment, inspiring millions of unprivileged girls in the country.