By Rati Misra | Executive Director
Two of our Girl Icons have emerged as passionate advocates for education, championing the right of every girl to learn and grow. Through their leadership and determination, they are breaking barriers, and inspiring their communities to value education as a tool for empowerment and opportunity.
Ritu’s Story of Ambition
(Name changed to protect identity)Ritu, a 20-year-old from Binjana, Dewas, is a trailblazer in her family and community. As the first girl in her family to complete the 10th grade, her achievement became a symbol of pride and hope. However, as she moved into the 12th grade, she faced a critical decision about her future. It was then that she discovered Milaan's Girl Icon program, which opened her eyes to new possibilities beyond traditional academic paths.
Through the program, Ritu gained essential skills in communication, self-advocacy, and knowledge of her rights. These tools empowered her to stand up for herself and advocate for other girls in her community. Despite financial challenges, she pursued a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree and set her sights on the Indian Civil Service exams, with a focus on empowering girls in her village.
Milaan’s partnership with U-Go provided crucial financial support for Ritu to focus on her studies and gain experience through internships. Her first internship as a Junior Developer at Evolve Info marked the beginning of her career in software development, followed by another role at Expounds SOFT Tech as a Junior E-Commerce Developer. She then expanded her skills further through freelance projects, including designing websites for local businesses. Currently, she has cracked a job opportunity at Acmegrade as a Business Development Executive. She will be joining from 27th Jan
Ritu’s journey has not only transformed her own life but also changed her family’s view on the importance of education. With Milaan’s support, Ritu has succeeded in convincing her parents that her academic and career goals are worth pursuing rather than rushing to get married.
Priya’s Journey to Transforming Lives Through Education and Advocacy
(Name changed to protect identity)
Priya, a 16-year-old student from Shahganj, Sonbhadra, is a Girl Icon from the 2022-2023 cohort and is currently in class 11. Raised in an environment marked by poverty and gender inequality, Priya witnessed many girls drop out of school due to financial and societal pressures. These experiences fueled her determination to break barriers and advocate for girls' education.
Joining Milaan’s Girl Icon Program, Priya learned the value of education and the importance of overcoming challenges to achieve it. She became a vocal advocate for girls' education, organizing awareness campaigns and mobilizing her community to prioritize school enrollment. Priya’s efforts led to a significant increase in girls returning to school. She successfully re-enrolled 8-10 girls, and her dedication inspired many parents—who had previously been indifferent to girls' education—to recognize its importance and support their daughters' education.
Priya’s dedication to this cause was evident, and her leadership inspired many others to take action. After completing the program, more than 20 girls from her village filled out the Girl Icon application, with half of them being selected for the program.
Priya also stood against child marriage and organized menstrual health awareness camps in her village. Her dedication to education and social change is unwavering, and she continues to lead initiatives to empower girls in her community.
Radhika's Journey as a Social Change Advocate
(Name changed to protect identity)
Radhika, a 20-year-old Alumna of the Girl Icon program from Lakhimpur Kheri, is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) and is in her third semester. Radhika aspires to become a social worker, with a focus on addressing the pressing social issues in her community.
Radhika’s transformative journey began in 2018 when she became part of the Girl Icon program. During her time in the program, she observed the many barriers that girls in her village faced, including limited access to education and social opportunities due to deeply ingrained societal restrictions. Through a community survey, Radhika uncovered that a large number of girls had dropped out of school, and many who had completed their education were unable to attend college due to challenges, such as long distances.
In response to these challenges, Radhika initiated a social action project within the Girl Icon program. She organised peer meetings to raise awareness, mobilized fellow leaders, and engaged with community members to find practical solutions. With the support of her father, Radhika was able to help many girls obtain Aadhaar cards (Indian identity card upon which eligibility for government benefits is determined) and successfully enrolled 13 young children in school. This project marked one of the defining moments of her leadership journey.
After completing her tenure with the Girl Icon program, Radhika joined Milaan as a Project Assistant in 2023. In this role, she mentored other girls, offering guidance on overcoming challenges and helping them develop critical skills such as digital literacy, communication, and leadership.
By Rati Misra | Executive Director
By Rati Misra | Executive Director
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