By Aman Chhabra | Project Leader
Dear Donor,
Hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy!!
Mentioning below some of the key highlights of our work between Mar and June 23.
Breakthrough Celebrates Important Days: Empowering Women and Promoting Menstrual Hygiene
Breakthrough continues to champion important causes by celebrating Women's Day and Menstrual Hygiene Day, two significant events that highlight crucial issues and generate awareness in the communities of Haryana and Delhi.
To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March, Breakthrough organized community events in Karola village, Gurugram, with the support of BT Group (British Telecom). We had conversations with more than 150 people from different backgrounds about the goals and challenges of women and girls. The participants included ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health Activist), PRI members (Panchayti Raj Institution), SHGs (Self-help Group), adolescents, young people, and people of all ages. At the same time, Breakthrough held a week-long campaign called “Steps Toward Equity” in six districts of Haryana and four areas of Delhi where we work. Team Change Leaders from Haryana led the campaign and used Nukad Natak (Street Theatre) to raise awareness about the issues that women and girls face.
In Delhi, youth planned and performed dance and theatre shows (by Sukhmanch Theatre) to educate the community about violence against women and girls in public places and teach them 5D (Delay, Distract, Delegate, Document, and Direct) techniques to intervene in violence. The campaign reached 1600 people, including youth, women and men, Local Councillors, NGO workers (Non-government organisation), RWA members (Resident Welfare Association), Delhi Police personnel, School Teachers, Anganwadi workers. The campaign aimed to create a more equal and inclusive society.
Moreover, to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28th May, we partnered with the Women and Child Development (WCD) department in Haryana. We conducted activities in Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Gurugram. We used interactive sessions, informative videos, and group discussions to break the stigma around menstruation and promote menstrual hygiene practices. In Delhi, we involved 221 youth, Team Change Leaders, and women in discussions on common myths, hygiene practices, and the need for de-stigmatization. Our activities included film screenings that challenged societal taboos, group discussions on hygiene and myth-busting, and bracelet-making activities representing the menstrual cycle. To empower women with knowledge and resources, we distributed sanitary pads, ensuring that women have access to essential menstrual care.
Through our efforts on Women’s Day and Menstrual Hygiene Day, Breakthrough continues to create positive change and open dialogue. By raising awareness and highlighting important issues, we empower women and promote menstrual hygiene in our communities. Together, we are building a more equal and inclusive society.
Empowering Youth Leaders: Breakthrough's Journey of Transformation and Impact
Breakthrough trains and supports young leaders who can create positive change in their communities. Our Team Change Leaders (TCLs) participate in various programs and activities to improve their skills and learn more about gender equality and violence against women and girls. In March, during the TCL Capacity Building Training, TCLs had the chance to communicate and talk about important topics like gender, patriarchy, and how they affect people’s attitudes and behaviors. The training also included interactive activities like Power Walks and Group activities, which helped them understand their role in addressing these issues.
Through a three-day Experiential Storytelling and Writing Workshop, led by a famous screenplay writer, Haryana TCLs learned how to communicate effectively. They learned techniques like mind mapping and narrative writing, which helped them express their ideas clearly and engagingly. These skills will help them reach a wider audience with their messages. To expand their knowledge, Delhi TCLs visited various non-profit organizations. These visits allowed them to share their stories of change and Breakthrough’s impactful songs. They also improved their public speaking skills and learned how different sectors are working towards building a more equitable society. Breakthrough is dedicated to empowering youth, giving them the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to become effective leaders and advocates of gender equality.
Empowering Villages: Breakthrough and Youth Transforming Communities Through Gram Sabha
Breakthrough has made another achievement in Haryana with the successful organization of 24 Gram Sabhas (Village level meeting) in Rohtak and Jhajjar, 5 in Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat, and 8 in Gurugram’s intervention villages. With Breakthrough’s support, the Gram Sabhas were held with active participation from the community members, including adolescents and youth. This was a significant change from the past, where Gram Sabhas were only on paper and not implemented in reality. Now the Gram Sabhas have become a platform for community members to express their concerns and influence the Gram Panchayat Development Plan. The youth played a vital role in this process by identifying issues related to education, security, sports, and career and submitting them to the Sarpanch (Head of Village) through letters. The impact of Breakthrough’s work was clear in the first-time gathering of 80 people in the Gram Sabha in Mehrana village of Jhajjar district. Through this initiative, Breakthrough has also introduced and formed village-level Child Protection Committees for safe schools and villages in several villages by creating a positive impact on the lives of people and fostering sustainable development in Haryana.
Empowering Change for Gender Equality in Gurugram: Breakthrough's Collaboration with WCD and Education Department
Working Together for Gender Equality in Gurugram Breakthrough’s Partnership with WCD and Education Department Breakthrough has made a significant progress towards gender equality and empowerment by building strong partnerships with the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) and the Education Department in Gurugram (Haryana). Recently, Breakthrough participated actively in the BBBP (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao) Task force meeting, organized by the WCD after the Covid-19 lockdown. This meeting was an opportunity for Breakthrough to present their impactful work on changing norms, addressing gender-based sex selection, and improving sex ratios. The WCD was impressed by Breakthrough’s contributions and invited Breakthrough to collaborate on the three-month action plan under BBBP.
Breakthrough’s strategic inputs, especially through the involvement of School Management Committees (SMCs) and Village Level Child Protection Committees (VLCPCs), helped to develop a comprehensive action plan. This plan, covering various departments, was shared with all stakeholders. Moreover, in a remarkable collaboration, the Education Department asked Breakthrough to help design session plans for the BBBP initiative across all government schools in Gurugram. Breakthrough’s engaging BT videos, focusing on important topics such as aspirations, early marriage, and menstrual hygiene, were included in the session plans. The successful implementation of these sessions led to meaningful discussions, sensitizing and empowering many adolescents across 500 government schools. The efforts were appreciated and recognized by key stakeholders, including Ms. Ambika, the Nodal Officer, and Captain Indu Boken, DEO (Deputy Education Officer) Gurugram. Breakthrough’s collaborative efforts, both with the Women and Child Development and the Education Department, show their commitment to creating positive change in Gurugram.
By working together with government departments, Breakthrough continues to make a lasting impact, spreading their content and messages to reach and influence the lives of many young people.
Empowering Community Advocacy: Safer Streets and Improved Infrastructure in Dabua Colony
Safer Streets and Better Infrastructure in Dabua Colony in a powerful example of community unity and action, Team Change Leaders and women in Dabua Colony took action to improve safety and infrastructure in their neighbourhood after identifying the safety issues from Safety Audit during Streelink Program. After the successful installation of 5 street lights in the dark street area, a group of enthusiastic youth and women decided to push for more improvements. They organized a rally, joined by local Councillors (Councillors are people elected to represent their local community in the running of their local council) and over 1000 community members, to raise awareness about women’s safety issues and advocate for street lights in every street of Dabua Colony, Faridabad.
To reinforce their message, they created impactful wall paintings with empowering messages, attracting the attention of more than 500 community members. Their collective efforts paid off. As a result of their advocacy and collaboration with local councillors, Dabua Streets now have 5 more street lights, lighting up the neighbourhood and creating safer spaces for all. The collaboration also addressed other infrastructure issues, such as the regular collection of solid waste. These community-led initiatives show the power of collective action and community engagement in creating a safer and more lively environment in Dabua Colony. By empowering their youth and women, fostering dialogue, and advocating for change, the community has taken significant steps towards a better future.
This all work is happening because of support of DONORS like YOU. We would request you to continue your support and if possible recommend our project to like-minded people.
With Hope and Gratitude,
Aman Chhabra.
By Aman Chhabra | Project Leader
By Aman Chhabra | Project Leader
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