Every 4th girl is a child bride. Help change this

Reporting Period: December 2025 – February 2026

Dear Donor,

What happens when a girl begins to believe that her future is worth fighting for?

This quarter, we witnessed girls challenging expectations that have shaped generations before them. They negotiated for their right to stay in school, delayed marriage, spoke openly about their aspirations, and inspired their families and communities to rethink what is possible for girls.

Choosing Education Over Early Marriage

"I wanted to clear competitive examinations, but marriage proposals kept coming and I felt trapped between my dreams and society's expectations. I decided I would first become self-reliant and prove that marriage is not the only goal of a girl's life."

These are the words of Seema (name changed), a 22-year-old from Jharkhand.

As pressure mounted for her marriage, Seema found herself battling not only social expectations but also resistance from within her own family. When discussions around her marriage progressed and the groom's family demanded a dowry of INR 15 lakh, her parents were still willing to proceed. But Seema refused to give up on her dreams.

Drawing upon the confidence, communication, and negotiation skills she had developed through Breakthrough's programmes, she persuaded her parents to postpone the marriage until she completed her education. She even challenged her brother's opposition by explaining that higher education would help her become financially independent and reduce the burden of dowry altogether.

Today, Seema continues to pursue her studies and build the future she wants for herself.

Her story is not unique. Across our intervention areas, more girls are finding the confidence to question harmful norms, negotiate with their families, and choose education over early marriage.

Building Agency Through Taaron Ki Toli

Taaron Ki Toli, our life-skills based gender equity curriculum, helps adolescents develop leadership, critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills.

During this reporting period, the programme reached:

• 15,065 adolescents (11–14 years) in Uttar Pradesh

• 5,423 adolescents (11–14 years) in Jharkhand

• 22,313 adolescents (15–18 years) in Uttar Pradesh

• 2,004 adolescents (15–18 years) in Jharkhand

The impact of these sessions is reflected in the voices of the adolescents themselves.

A 17-year-old participant from Hazaribagh shared:

"My mother wants me to get married at 21, but I want to complete my education first and become financially independent. Many people believe girls should marry early, but I want to become a role model and show what girls can achieve."

Another participant spoke of her dream of becoming a police officer:

"People in my community do not encourage girls to dream big, but I will not let that stop me. I am learning how to plan for my future and overcome challenges along the way."

In Lucknow, a girl reflected on how gender discrimination had affected her own education:

"Boys are trusted more and given more opportunities. I want my parents to participate in Breakthrough meetings so they can understand rights and change their thinking."

These voices reflect a growing shift—from acceptance of inequality to active questioning of it.

Where Dreams Meet Dialogue: Kishori Melas in Jharkhand

Across 88 villages in Hazaribagh, Breakthrough organized Kishori Melas under the theme "Sapno Ki Baat, Apno Ke Saath" (Conversations About Dreams, With Loved Ones).

The melas brought together 12,887 community members, including adolescents, youth, parents, and community leaders.

For many families, these events created a rare opportunity to discuss girls' aspirations openly. Adolescents showcased their talents, shared their ambitions, and spoke honestly about the barriers they face. Parents listened, reflected, and engaged in conversations about how they could better support their daughters.

One parent reflected:

"Girls are just as capable as boys. When families stand with them, they can achieve anything."

These conversations are helping create an environment where girls' dreams are no longer dismissed but encouraged.

Theatre Creating Change in Uttar Pradesh

Across 108 Gram Panchayats in Lucknow and Gorakhpur, Theatre of the Oppressed performances engaged 16,247 community members.

Through powerful storytelling and audience participation, the performances encouraged communities to reflect on issues of gender discrimination, girls' education, safety, and leadership.

Theatre proved to be more than entertainment—it became a catalyst for dialogue, empathy, and behaviour change. The active participation of local administration, police, health workers, education officials, and community leaders further strengthened community ownership of these conversations.

Human Rights Day: Reaffirming Dignity and Equality

On 10 December, Human Rights Day was observed across 28 Gram Panchayats in Uttar Pradesh, engaging 1,730 community members.

Through rallies, poster-making activities, sports events, discussions, signature campaigns, and community meetings, participants explored themes of equality, dignity, freedom, and the right to education.

Young people and parents came together to discuss how human rights connect to their daily lives and how communities can play a role in ensuring these rights are respected for everyone.

The celebrations concluded with collective pledges to uphold equality and respect the rights of others.

One Pitch, Equal Play: Gender Equality Cricket Match

"There was a time when I was scolded simply for wearing a T-shirt and track pants. Today, I am wearing the same clothes and playing in a large stadium. This feels like a victory for all that we have learned through Breakthrough."

These words from the captain of the winning team captured the spirit of Breakthrough's Gender Equality Cricket Match in Maharajganj.

The event brought together girls and boys on the same field to challenge stereotypes about who belongs in public spaces and sports.

A crowd of 122 community members, including mothers, local leaders, and government representatives, came together to cheer the players.

Two mixed-gender teams, both led by girls, competed with enthusiasm and teamwork. While one team won the match, the bigger victory belonged to every girl who stepped onto the field and claimed her right to participate, lead, and be seen.

The event sent a powerful message: when girls are given equal opportunities, they thrive.

Why Your Support Matters

Behind every statistic is a girl making a difficult choice:

• Choosing education over early marriage.

• Choosing ambition over silence.

• Choosing confidence over fear.

This quarter, thousands of girls strengthened their voice, negotiated for their rights, and expanded their vision of what is possible.

Every conversation, every community gathering, every theatre performance, and every leadership opportunity helps create a world where girls are free to learn, lead, and shape their own futures.

Thank you for standing beside them on this journey.

Dear Donor,

This update highlights why sustained engagement is essential to transforming gender norms that limit girls’ education, aspirations, and life choices,especially by engaging fathers and brothers, who are often key decision makers.

Story of Change

Reema (name changed), a 22-year-old from Gorakhpur district, faced repeated resistance from her family when she expressed a desire to pursue higher education. Both her wish to study law and later fashion designing were rejected due to gender based beliefs about what girls “should” do.

A theatre performance organized by Breakthrough in her village became a turning point. It portrayed how girls’ aspirations are often restricted by discriminatory norms and how negotiation and support can bring change. Inspired, Reema joined a Breakthrough youth group, where she developed confidence and communication skills.

With support from the group, she initiated discussions at home, beginning with her mother. Exposure to Breakthrough sessions helped her mother advocate for Reema’s education within the family. Reema was eventually supported to enroll in an ITI course and was selected for a draftsperson/mechanical drafting trade. She is performing well and finds the course empowering.

However, Reema still fears that future job-related relocation may lead to renewed opposition or early marriage. Her concern highlights the continued need to engage male family members and challenge restrictive gender norms.

Program Highlights

Taaron Ki Toli Sessions (Adolescents 11–18 years)
During this period, Breakthrough reached:

• 37,378 adolescents in Uttar Pradesh

• 7,427 adolescents in Jharkhand

Through a two-year gender equity curriculum, adolescents built awareness of rights, confidence, leadership, and negotiation skills. Many participants began challenging restrictions on education, mobility, and access to resources at home.

Kishori Melas in Schools (Uttar Pradesh)

• Conducted in 155 schools

• Reached 18,571 participants (58% female, 42% male)

These events created safe spaces for adolescents to express aspirations and facilitated intergenerational dialogue with parents. Parents reflected on missed opportunities in their own lives and committed to supporting their daughters’ education and dreams.

Ratri Chaupals (Uttar Pradesh)

• Held in 85 Gram Panchayats

• Reached 16,563 community members

Night-time community dialogues engaged fathers, brothers, women, and youth on girls’ education, safety, and aspirations. Families publicly pledged to reduce household burdens on girls during exams and support their studies.

Bold Moves, Bold Dreams – Jharkhand
A district-level sports event brought together women and girls from 88 villages, with 600 community members attending. Many women played sports in a public space for the first time, challenging the belief that athletics are only for boys and reinforcing community support for girls’ confidence and aspirations.

Your support continues to help girls negotiate for their rights, engage families, and move closer to lives of choice and dignity. Thank you for standing with them.