Empowering 200 Girl Leaders in India

Dear Friend, 

We hope you remember our last update on our phenomenal grassroots girl leader Girl Icon Rani. Rani is among the 120 million adolescent girls in India. India is home to largest number of adolescent girls in the world, with a large number of girls living in underserved communities where the deep-rooted social norms along with lack of agency and skills restrict them to explore their full potential.  Rani hails from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. The state Uttar Pradesh alone accounts for 21% of the total female adolescent population in India. Over the years we have learnt that when girls are given spaces to explore their potential and to be heard, they develop self-confidence and self-worth. That is why our work focuses on laying emphasis on training and educating girls on social issues, their rights, leadership skills (communication, negotiation etc.) and giving them opportunities to show their ability to implement social action as a collective.

Milaan recognizes outstanding change makers like Rani who seek to make a difference in their communities. Rani is a go-getter in spite of her weak financial background, She makes the best of every opportunity and works effectively with adolescent girls to drive intergenerational and systemic changes to create an equitable and inclusive community. “I want girls to look at me and think they can achieve anything they want,” says 17-year-old Rani. Our lives are driven by stories, stories of common people driving uncommon change in pursuit of creating a better world. When these stories are of adolescent girls from some of the most challenging social, economic, and political backgrounds; they especially fuel and impacts a belief towards nurturing girl leaders to create a more equitable world.  

Rani's journey, aspirations and determination to serve as a role model to adolescent girls in her community and build a movement of girl leaders was documented through a virtual reality film called 'Girl Icon'. On March 11th “Girl Icon” DEBUTED at SWSX in Austin, Texas. The film is directed by Sadah Espii Proctor, this project is part of the Oculus VR for Good Creators Lab program in partnership with Malala Fund, produced by little GIANT Wolf.  “Girl Icon” features our incredible #GirlIcon Rani. We are making plans to show the film in India. Follow us on Instagram at milaangirlicons, facebook - Milaan be the Change and Twitter - Support Milaan for future updates about Girl Icon and our talented girl leaders!  

Through your continued support, we will continue to build a movement of Girl Leaders who will dare to dream and live in a just and equitable world. Empowered girls are a powerful catalyst to change development outcomes and are a force of social change.