Give GIRLS in India a CHANCE at life

Dear Donor,

Wishing you a Very Happy Festive season!! Thanks for your support for our work. Sharing some of the key highlights of our work between July 24 and Oct 24.

1. Partnership signed with State Education Department of Haryana

On June 11, 2024, Breakthrough Trust signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Education, Haryana at Panchkula. This agreement aims to implement the Gender Curriculum "Taaron Ki Toli" for adolescents aged 11-18 in 125 schools across six districts over the next three years. The signing ceremony included Shri Anurag, Assistant Director from the Department of Education, and Breakthrough representatives Arty, Nisha and Aditi. This MoU entails comprehensive training for teachers, with Breakthrough Trust serving as the gender technical partner.

2. A Haryana State Level Event – Towards Gender Transformative Schools and Women and Child-Friendly Panchayats

"My parents wanted me to get married after 12th grade, but due to Breakthrough’s efforts and conversations with them, I will complete my final year of college next year,” shared Team Change Leader (TCL) Neeru. 

In June, Breakthrough organized a one-day State Level Program titled "Towards Gender Transformative Schools and Women and Child-Friendly Panchayats" in Panchkula on 25^th June 2024. The event united community stakeholders and government officials to discuss the connection between Gender Transformative Schools and Women and Child-Friendly Panchayats, emphasizing their importance in fostering a gender-equal community.

The event saw active participation from adolescent girls, youth, parents, teachers, SMC members, government officials, and educational leaders. Esteemed guests included Smt. Praveen (Chairperson, SCPCR), Mr Ganesh (Member, SCPCR), Dr. Neelam (Planning and Management Development Expert), and Mr. Paramjeet (former Member, SCPCR).

The event featured a powerful street play based on real-life stories from our intervention areas and the launch of Kishor-Kishori Mela 2024-25. A panel discussion with team change leaders, teachers, parents, and SCPCR members included Neeru's story of how Breakthrough’s efforts enabled her to pursue higher education. Mr. Ganesh highlighted the potential for child-friendly panchayats through partnerships, and Dr. Neelam  expressed interest in collaborating on sensitizing women about the importance of Gram Sabha and their roles as Elected Women Representatives.

3. "Lapataa Ladies" Movie Screenings Ignite Community Dialogue on Gender Norms

In July, the screening of Lapataa Ladies across various communities in Haryana and Delhi sparked meaningful discussions and brought about a positive shift in perspectives on aspiration, gender-based violence and societal norms. Organized by our dedicated Team Change Leaders (TCLs), these screenings reached over 400 community members, engaging them in dialogues about the aspirations of girls and the challenges they face due to traditional norms.

The screenings resonated deeply, especially with young girls and women, who related to the characters' struggles and dreams. In Gurugram, participants questioned the veil system and its impact on women's freedom, with some expressing newfound support for girls pursuing their education and careers. In Jhajjar, the response was overwhelmingly positive, with women seeing the characters as role models and discussing the importance of independence and education. The powerful discussions generated by Lapataa Ladies have further strengthened our collective efforts to promote gender equality and empower the communities we serve.

4. Badi Si Asha- Kishor Kishori Mela in Haryana

In September, the Kishor Kishori Mela, themed "Badi si Asha," was organized across all 125 intervention GPs in Haryana, reaching thousands of people through engaging street theater performances in schools and communities. These Kishor-Kishori Melas were designed to foster intergenerational dialogue, promote education for adolescent girls, highlight their aspirations, and address gender-based violence.

Our Team Change Leaders (TCLs) and Kishori Groups played a pivotal role in mobilizing these events, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication. The campaign used street theatre, a powerful and relatable medium, to connect deeply with community members. Through these performances, we vividly portrayed the challenges and dreams of young girls, sparking critical conversations about the importance of education for both girls and boys. The community's response was overwhelmingly positive. People eagerly gathered at common spaces in the community to watch the performances, with some women, who typically don't attend public gatherings, participating by watching from their rooftops. The involvement of local authorities, including the District Legal Services Authority, the Women and Child Development Department, and the Education Department, added significant credibility and support to the campaign, amplifying its impact.

One of the most notable outcomes was the shift in attitudes among community elders and local leaders. In villages where it was previously unheard of for women to speak in public forums, female sarpanches (village heads) confidently addressed the crowd, advocating for girls' education and equal opportunities. Through these Kishor-Kishori Melas, we have not only raised awareness but also built a strong foundation for ongoing community engagement.

5. “Youth Chaupal”- A Delhi State Level Event to disseminate Safety Audit Findings

In October, we hosted a significant state-level event titled "Youth Chaupal" at the Indian International Center in Delhi, where we disseminate the findings of the Safety Audit Report for four key intervention communities: Old Seemapuri, New Seemapuri, Durga Park, and Sangam Vihar. The event drew 170 participants, including youth, parents, Frontline workers, members of NGOs, and prominent dignitaries like the Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police. The report highlighted major safety concerns within these communities, particularly those contributing to the pervasive feeling of insecurity among women and girls. The presence of police officials underscored the gravity of the findings and the urgent need for action. Mr Sanjay, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), emphasized the importance of fearless reporting and reaffirmed the Delhi Police’s commitment to stringent measures for women’s safety. The event also featured testimonials from youth leaders, such as Yasmeen from New Seemapuri, who stressed the need for ongoing engagement with local authorities to ensure safe public spaces for women and girls. This event marked a crucial step in addressing community safety and fostering a culture of gender equality.

6. Strengthening Partnerships for Safer Communities in Haryana

In August, our ongoing efforts to foster safer communities and schools in Haryana were significantly strengthened through strategic collaborations and networking with key institutions and government departments. These partnerships are crucial in advancing our mission and amplifying the impact of our work.

In Sonipat, we organized a district-level networking meeting in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority. The meeting, chaired by Chief Judicial Magistrate Shri Parcheta, brought together representatives from various departments, including Education, Women and Child Development, Information and Public Relations (DPRO), and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI). This platform was instrumental in creating a network of relevant stakeholders focused on promoting the "Safe School, Safe Village" initiative. Discussion emphasized the importance of functional village-level Child Protection Committees, underscoring the critical role these committees play in safeguarding adolescent’s rights.

Similarly, in Gurugram, the Department of Women and Child Development launched the Audio Van Campaign based on "Savtantar- Saksham- Surkhshit- Hmari Betiyan", which featured Breakthrough’s "Dakhal Do" songs to spark discussions on the value of girl child, violence against women, gender-based discrimination, and the aspirations of young girls. The campaign reached 15 gram panchayats, including five of our intervention communities. The District Program Officer of WCD Gurugram and the Deputy Commissioner recognized and appreciated Breakthrough’s contributions during the launch event.

Collaboration with WCD, Gurugram have not only extended our reach but also enabled us to organize Gender-Sensitisation Training for Frontline Workers (Anganwadi Workers) across three blocks in Gurugram (Sohna, Farukh Nagar, and Pataudi). A total of 127 Anganwadi Workers participated, engaging in meaningful discussions that will contribute to more gender-sensitive practices in their daily work.

Through these initiatives, we continue to build a stronger network, ensuring that our collective efforts lead to a safer and more equitable environment for all.

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.