Illiteracy, child marriage, high infant and maternal mortality, and lack of decision making powers comprise some of the more glaring problems faced by women in rural India. However, burdened by centuries of archaic traditions, they accept their fate and continue to suffer in silence. Through CARE's Girls' Leadership Programme, what began as a platform for the members to share and discuss their problems with one another, slowly grew into a community of action-oriented girls striving for change.
Illiteracy, child marriage, high infant and maternal mortality, and lack of decision making powers comprise some of the more glaring problems faced by women in rural India. However, burdened by centuries of archaic traditions, they accept their fate and continue to suffer in silence.
They say there is strength in numbers, and the members of this girls leadership program can surely be cited as proof. They insist that the support they receive from one another reinstates their confidence in themselves, and convinces them that change is possible.
"Tu bolegi, moon kholegi tabhi toh zamaana badlega. Tu khud ko badal, tu khud ko badal, tabhi toh zamaana badlega." (If you open your mouth and speak up, only then this world will change. Start by changing yourself, and only then this world will change.) Indian local song of empowerment
