Jaiprakash and Suman, due to their unemployment, were unable to provide the necessary educational support and resources for Chetna. The family lacked awareness of the long-term benefits of quality education. There was a general sense of hopelessness regarding Chetna’s future educational prospects. Another girl child Aadya, a bright and enthusiastic child, was recognized for her exceptional abilities by the Anganwadi worker (AWW) and Matri Sudha team members in Nardan Basti, Southeast Delhi.
Now both Chetna and Aadya are enrolled in different schools to complete their education with continuous support and guidance from Matri Sudha team members and Anganwadi Worker, Kavita. They did counselling sessions educate them about the importance of education. Motivational workshops highlighted the potential positive outcomes of quality education for Chetna’s future whereas the sessions to familiarize Aadya with the school environment, helping her adjust smoothly to the new setting.
To make sure that girls complete their education, Child Rights and You along with its partner, Matri Sudha launched “Poori Padhai Desh ki Bhalai” campaign in Southeast Delhi so that children like Aadya and Chetna gets their dreams fulfilled. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of complete school education through Class 12th and to boost enrolment and retention of girls, particularly in secondary and higher secondary classes.
Soha Moitra, Regional Director of CRY, emphasized the campaign’s significance: “Ensuring higher secondary education for girls is crucial for their empowerment and our nation’s development. We need targeted interventions with specific goals and action points to support girls beyond elementary education. This includes adequate public provisioning, financial incentives, improved infrastructure, community engagement, and robust enforcement of laws against child marriage. However, generating mass awareness and social resonance around girls’ education is the foundation for all these efforts.”
Arvind Singh, CEO, Matri Sudha, education empowers girls by providing them with knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed choices in life. It enables them to participate more effectively in social, economic, and political spheres. Educated girls tend to have better health outcomes. They are more likely to understand healthcare practices, nutrition, and family planning, leading to improved maternal and child health”. So far, Matri Sudha has enrolled 13 girl child in different schools from V.P. Singh Camp, one of CRY supported intervention areas.
Matri Sudha representatives led by Sh. Surender Singh (President, Matri Sudha), Mr. Ravi Shanker Rai (Board Member, Matri Sudha), Babita Kumari, Vimla, Manisha along with social work students from Amity University & IILM (Owais, Chetan, Sanjana, Ashutosh, Jasmine and Sameera) met the Member of Parliament; MLA; Ward Councilors; Medical Officers; SDM; School Principals and teachers of ten government schools and ran the awareness campaign in different communities in Delhi. They all supported Poori Padhai Desh ki Bhalai campaign on girls education.
The SHO, Police Station, Pul Prehlad Pur, Mr. Sanjay Dahiya echoed the similar voice and advocated for girls education, he said “it is very important to educate a girl child, irrespective of their socio-economic background”. The “Poori Padhai Desh ki Bhalai” campaign aims to create widespread awareness by engaging all stakeholders – from families and educators to policymakers and corporations
