Give GIRLS in India a CHANCE at life

Dear Donor,

Hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy!! Thanks for your support for our work. Sharing some of the key highlights of our work between Feb 24 and May 24.

Celebrating International Women’s Day in Haryana

In March, Breakthrough celebrated an impactful celebration of International Women's Day across six districts of Haryana: Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Gurugram. Collaborating closely with key stakeholders such as the Women and Child Development Department, Haryana Police Department, Panchayats, and Colleges, we reaffirmed our unwavering dedication to gender equality and empowerment. Our theme, "Steps Toward Equity”, served as a powerful call to action, inspiring unity and collective progress.

Led by our committed Team Change Leaders, our events were designed to leave a lasting impact. From thought-provoking street plays to inspiring rallies and enlightening workshops, each activity aimed to spark meaningful dialogue reached out to thousands of people.

One standout moment occurred in a remote corner of Karnal, witnessing young girls and women taking the wheels, shedding their veils, and leading a rally through the heart of Karnal. Picture 80 determined souls traversing 12 kilometres, spanning five villages, not just to make a statement, but to ignite change.

These events were not merely about celebration; they were about raising awareness of the challenges faced by women and girls, while fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment at the grassroots level. Each moment, each conversation, served as a powerful reminder of the collective effort needed to create a more equitable and just society for all.

#BaatKarneSeBaatBantiHai: Menstrual Hygiene Day Celebrations Across Haryana and Delhi

“Today, I learned many new facts about menstrual hygiene that I wasn't aware of before. Like me, there are many girls who, out of shame, don’t ask about how their bodies change during periods and what they need to take care of. Now that I am informed, I will spread this knowledge to more and more girls about their bodily changes and debunk common myths.”

This insight was shared by an adolescent girl during the Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration in Haryana. Breakthrough celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28th and 29th to challenge the stigma around menstruation and promote the importance of proper hygiene. Using the hashtag #BaatKarneSeBaatBantiHai, the event aimed to foster open discussions and education, emphasizing that menstruation is not a curse but a natural and healthy part of life.

Alongside the Breakthrough field team, local youth leaders supported in the organization of Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations across various community areas, reaching 2348 people, including members from 55 Gram Panchayats, Youth, adolescents, parents, TCLs, school staff, and Frontline workers.

Neha from OFSS joined a virtual session, interacting with adolescent girls and boys. Team Change Leaders (TCLs) and School Management Committee (SMC) members also participated in the video screening of #JholeWaliDidi, discussing common myths and facts about safe periods. Neha emphasized, “Whether a boy or a girl, both should receive equal treatment and be brought to an equal level.”

From Jatauli village, Team Change member Anjali encouraged girls not to see menstruation as a problem but to seek accurate information, even contacting their teachers if needed.

Through engaging discussions, informative videos and stall visit, we explained the typical onset and cessation of menstruation.

In Delhi, Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated in three communities—Dabua Colony, Sangam Vihar, and Durga Park—with 106 participants. Adolescents and TCLs led the way by creating social media reels focused on menstrual hygiene management (MHM), aiming to educate their peers and the broader community. Key community meetings and educational sessions were conducted with women’s groups, where ASHA workers provided crucial information on MHM. Local dispensaries played a vital role by supplying free iron tablets, condoms, and sanitary pads to women and TCLs.

Empowering Communities: Youth-Led Wall Paintings

As part of our ongoing 'Dakhal Do' campaign, we've been working tirelessly across four colleges in Delhi to create a series of impactful initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting action against gender-based violence. One of the highlights of our efforts has been our community mobilization events.

In March, we organized a series of Community Mobilization activities in several Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) of Delhi, specifically in New Seemapuri, Old Seemapuri, and the Durga Park area. These activities were designed to engage parents, youth, and RWA members in meaningful dialogue and action around the importance of bystander intervention within their communities.

Our approach included dynamic and interactive methods such as wall painting and video screenings. These activities were not only informative but also participatory, ensuring that the message resonated deeply with the participants. The youth played a pivotal role in the wall painting initiative. Collaborating with a professional painter, they transformed six prominent walls in the community with powerful slogans. These visual messages served as daily reminders to the community of their collective responsibility to stand against Street Harassment and gender-based violence.

Through video screenings, we further engaged the community, providing visual and emotional context to the importance of bystander intervention. These screenings sparked discussions among parents, youth, and RWA members, fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to addressing and preventing gender-based violence in their neighbourhoods.

All our work happens through the financial support we received from donors like you and are immensely grateful for the same. Request you to continue your support and, if possible, refer us to like-minded people in your circle.

With Hope and Gratitude,

Aman Chhabra.