Give GIRLS in India a CHANCE at life

Dear Donor,

We are excited to share inspiring stories of change and impact from the field. This reporting period has been a powerful testament to the leadership, courage, and transformation being led by young changemakers, especially adolescent girls, in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Spotlight: Team Change Leader’s Journey to Recognition and Leadership

A 21-year-old Team Change Leader from Jindapur village in Jungle Kaudiya block, Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), was honoured by the Department of Women and Child Development at a State-Level Function on International Women’s Day. Her commendable efforts in preventing early marriages in her community were recognized by senior officials including the District Probation Officer and a cabinet minister.

Her journey began six years ago as a participant in the Breakthrough program. Initially shy and reserved, she gained confidence through Taaron Ki Toli sessions and youth mobilization activities. These engagements empowered her with skills in communication, negotiation, leadership, and decision-making.

Her leadership came to the fore when she intervened in her friend’s early marriage. Despite initial resistance from her friend’s parents, the team change leader persistently engaged with them, advocating for her friend’s right to continue her education. Her intervention successfully delayed the marriage, showcasing the tangible impact of empowering youth with the right tools and support.

Taaron Ki Toli Sessions: Shaping Gender-Equitable Mindsets

Taaron Ki Toli (TKT) is Breakthrough’s gender-transformative life skills curriculum aimed at adolescents. The program reaches two key age cohorts:

•  (11–14 years)

• (15–18 years)

During this reporting period:

• In Uttar Pradesh, 18,694 (11-14 years) and 23,698 (15-18 years) participated.

• In Jharkhand, 4,979 (11-14 years) and 2,042  (15-18 years)  engaged in sessions.

Voices from the Field: 11-14 years old Take a Stand

• A girl from Lucknow, shared:
  “Boys pass comments near the village intersection, forcing some girls to drop out and get married. We will raise this issue in the School Management Committee and seek help from the village head and our parents.”

• A girl from UPS Sonwa:
  “Our school route is unsafe due to dense bushes and forested areas. Some girls faced harassment. After the TKT session, we now walk in groups and plan to talk to our families and community leaders.”

• A girl from UPS Asti:
  “After being followed on a deserted road and falling in fear, I stayed silent fearing my education would end. TKT taught me the importance of speaking up and seeking adult help.”

Reclaiming Spaces, Redefining Norms: Women’s Day Celebrations

Breakthrough marked International Women’s Day with vibrant events across intervention areas in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Communities gathered to challenge gender norms, reclaim public spaces, and ignite dialogues around visibility and equality.

Highlights:

• In Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), over 1,000 women from 44 villages played kabaddi, football, and volleyball—often for the first time in decades.
  “I played kabaddi after 30 years—it felt like breaking free,” said Urmila, 45, from Pindarkone village.

• In Uttar Pradesh, across 33 villages in 5 districts, women participated in sports, rallies, ramp walks, and panel discussions. A powerful session in Bakshi Ka Talab, Lucknow, saw 115 women discussing patriarchy, freedom, and their rights.

Total participation in UP:

• 2,043 individuals — 1,537 women and 506 men

Youth Fairs: Building Aspirations and Breaking Stereotypes

In March 2025, Youth Fairs were organized in 87 Gram Panchayats across Lucknow, Ghazipur, and Maharajganj.

Key Highlights:

• Participation: 17,661 people (10,401 females, 7,260 males)

• Activities included:

  • Panel discussions on women’s rights

  • Gender-sensitization games (e.g., boys braiding hair, sewing buttons)

  • Kabaddi, kho kho, and cultural performances

  • Film screenings of Lapata Ladies and Secret Superstar

  • Creative displays: charts, skits, wall paintings

These fairs served as platforms for youth to express aspirations and challenge gender norms, enhancing confidence and public leadership.

Empowering Youth Through Digital Media Literacy and Storytelling

To strengthen digital skills and media literacy among youth:

• Digital Media Literacy Workshops (in collaboration with Logically Facts) were held in Lucknow, Ghazipur, and Maharajganj, training nearly 80 youth in fact-checking, gender narrative analysis, and ethical media creation.

• A five-day Digital Filmmaking Workshop led by filmmaker Debgopal enabled Team Change Leaders to create their own stories on themes like education, disability, child labour, health, and early marriage using mobile phones.

These initiatives empowered youth to tell their own stories and disrupt entrenched gender narratives in their communities.

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM): Breaking the Silence

To mark Menstrual Hygiene Management Day on May 28, Breakthrough held awareness events to tackle menstrual stigma.

Impactful Moments:

• In Manpur Lala, Lucknow, discussions lasted over 2.5 hours with full community engagement.

• Activities included:

  • Panel discussions

  • Signature campaigns

  • Photo booths with MHM slogans

  • Training on making reusable cloth pads

  • Social media videos by youth in Jharkhand

“I used to think menstruation was only a girls’ issue. Now I understand it’s everyone’s responsibility to support and talk about it,”
— Roshan Tara boy, Manpur Lala village

These events shifted perceptions and opened up inclusive, stigma-free dialogues around menstruation.

Conclusion

The stories and data from this period demonstrate the growing confidence, courage, and capabilities of young people—especially girls—in advocating for their rights and reshaping social norms. With your support, Breakthrough continues to build a generation of changemakers ready to lead their communities towards a more just and equitable world.

Thank you for being a part of this transformative journey.

Warm regards