From Taunted to Triumphant: The Transformative Power of Gender Champions in the Fight for Education Equality

Three years ago, 19-year-old Manisha from Sirohi district, Rajasthan had to abruptly drop out of school to take care of her ailing mother. With full-time caregiving duties on her young shoulders, Manisha lost out on several years of schooling. It took many weeks of counselling by the Educate Girls team and the local village Saathin to convince Manisha to complete her secondary education. She had given up all hope, but the Saathin informed Manisha that she would be able to get a Class 10 certificate through the open school system.

Finally ready to restart her education, Manisha painstakingly put her documents together and travelled 15 km to the open school centre to complete her enrolment only to be taunted by an officer who told her she would never pass the exam and should stop wasting her time. Disheartened and disillusioned, her confidence in tatters, Manisha returned home.

However, the village Saathin refused to give up. She gathered three other girls, from the same village and together the group went to the centre to register again. This time around, the officer accepted all their papers. Manisha can now focus on completing her education, thanks to the Saathin’s resilience.

Manisha’s repeated rejection and experience of being beaten down are not unusual. We see similar situations across India, positing the social evil of gender stereotyping. Even when the policy is in place and services are free or affordable, girls are not able to access it without that last-mile support.

Girls and women from marginalised communities need strong advocates and gender champions – to stand with, for, and by them so the system and society can respond adequately to their needs.

As we go into 2023, my New Year resolution is to be a #gender champion and advocate for all the Manishas of our country so that we can make a better future for them and for our country.?