ASPIRE - Resilient & Affirmative Girls’ Action for Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated socio-economic inequalities, particularly impacting the lives of adolescent girls in Rajasthan. Already grappling with gender disparities and poor quality education, these girls face increased risks of early and forced child marriages due to prolonged school closures and economic hardships. According to NFHS (2015-16), 35.4% of women in Rajasthan were married before the age of 18. A recent study by Girls Not Brides highlights that 45% of girls fear discontinuing their education post-lockdown, exposing them to early marriage and abuse.

Our project aims to support 50,000 out-of-school adolescent girls in three tribal districts of Rajasthan. We will establish community-based learning centers, compensatory education centers, life skills programs, health camps, and vocational training initiatives to empower these girls to make informed life decisions and improve their socio-economic status.

Project Goals

1. Community-Based Learning Centers: Establish centers to impart age-appropriate competencies up to grade 8 for 10,000 out-of-school girls, enabling successful mainstreaming and completion of school education.
2. Compensatory Education Centers: Provide academic support to 15,000 low-performing or dropped-out girls to complete secondary education (grades 9-12).
3. Life Skills Programs: Equip 20,000 adolescent girls with essential life skills, promoting healthy and hygienic behavior and empowering them to make informed life decisions.
4. Health Check-Up Camps: Conduct quarterly health check-ups for the participating girls.
5. Vocational Training: Offer vocational skill training to 5,000 girls and young women (aged 15-25) to enhance employability and establish linkages with employers and markets.

Expected Outcomes

• Educational Attainment: 80% of out-of-school girls will be mainstreamed, with 60% completing secondary education. 70% of low-performing girls will pass public board examinations and aspire to higher education.
• Life Skills Development: 80% of girls will exhibit safe health and hygienic practices, gain self-confidence, and develop leadership skills.
• Economic Empowerment: 60% of trained girls will generate income using their acquired vocational skills.
• Youth Leadership: Train 500 young women as community leaders to sustain program impact beyond the initial intervention.
• Reduced Gender-Based Violence: Significant decline in gender-based violence and early marriages through increased educational attainment and economic opportunities.

Sustainability and Community Impact

A cadre of 500 young women will be trained to lead the program, ensuring its sustainability. These youth volunteers will work as change agents, promoting social change and community participation. We anticipate a significant reduction in gender-based violence and early marriages, fostering a more equitable society.

Budget and Funding Request

We seek funding to support the implementation of our comprehensive program for three years. The budget includes costs for setting up learning centers, compensatory education programs, life skills training, health camps, vocational training, and youth leadership development.

By investing in this project, donors will contribute to transforming the lives of 50,000 adolescent girls in Rajasthan, empowering them to break free from the cycle of poverty and gender inequality. Together, we can create a brighter, more equitable future for these young girls.