Support Continued Education of Girls

Girls' education after they reach grade 8th, 10th and 12th is a challenge in targeted areas of Ibtada. The long distance to the education facility creates hurdles for girls. The means of transportation are uncertain, and parents are concerned about the safety of girls. Therefore, most girls drop out of schools after grade 8th — those who can study until grade 12th, dropout after that. A college education is expensive, which is another obstruction coupled with earlier stated constraints. Parents also have a conservative mindset. They do not want their daughters to get exposed to the world by going out to towns and cities to pursue education. They want to marry them by the age of 16-18 so that they can be free of their responsibility. These are the reasons that girls do not get to continue their education beyond a certain level.

Ibtada has been working with these communities for past 15-20 years and has been able to positively impact the behaviour of the community. We have mobilized the girls and motivated parents to continue their education until they complete class 12th as the first step and graduation at college as the second step. For this, the transport facilities from village to school/college have been arranged. Parents are at peace that the girls have safe travel to school/college. For college education, there are expenses involved for fees, books, stationery. Ibtada has arranged to pay the fees and other expenses to be born by parents. We also conduct empowerment sessions with the girls on communication, negotiation, goal setting, adolescent health etc. This helps girls in with continuing their education.

Education of adolescent and young girls have a long term impact on gender relations and gender lookout in the community. Better educated girls are able to cope with challenges of life, be eligible for employment and strive for better status in the family and community. They get married at the right age and are able to exercise choices in life. They take better care of self and family. They contribute to family livelihood, children's education and health. The whole effort is towards empowering girls and women and creating a gender equitable society.