Give GIRLS in India a CHANCE at life

At Breakthrough, we work with adolescents (11–18) through a two-year gender equity programme in schools and communities, and with young adults (19–25) through leadership and capacity-building initiatives. By strengthening aspiration, agency, and negotiation skills and engaging parents, teachers, and local governance we are building an ecosystem where gender-based violence is unacceptable and girls can thrive.

Between September and November 2025, we witnessed something powerful: adolescent girls stepping into leadership, communities questioning long-held gender norms, and local institutions moving from passive support to active partnership.

Here is a snapshot of what your support made possible this quarter:

• Girls Leading Change in Their Villages

• Adolescents, supported by youth, submitted demand letters to Sarpanchs across 6 districts in Haryana.
• Demands included safer streets, school toilets, transport, playgrounds, libraries, and drinking water - basic infrastructure that directly affects girls’ mobility and safety.

In a village in District Rohtak, Haryana sustained advocacy by a Kishori group (15-18 year old girls) and youth collective (19-25 year old) led to the installation of 300 streetlights- a tangible shift toward safer public spaces.

In District Karnal, Kishori groups organized “My First Period Story” events- public conversations about menstruation in villages where the topic is often silenced. Girls created safe spaces to share experiences and challenge stigma.

As one Kishori leader shared:
“Earlier, I was not able to express myself openly, but after getting the opportunity to lead the Kishori group, I started speaking confidently. I encouraged other girls to do the same. Even when Ruby sister is not with us, we all sit together and talk about our dreams and studies. Together, we wrote a letter to the Sarpanch regarding the school toilet. Since the Sarpanch’s house was far away, one of our group member’s mothers accompanied us to deliver the letter.”

• These actions signal more than participation. They reflect rising civic awareness, collective confidence, and leadership among adolescent girls.

• Breaking Boundaries: Education and Non-Traditional Careers

Deeply entrenched norms often restrict girls’ education and career choices. Through sustained engagement with girls, families, and youth groups:

• 21 girls re-enrolled in school
• 41 young women enrolled in higher education or vocational courses
• 8 girls chose non-traditional fields such as electrician training and computer operations

Asha (name changed) from Devipur village, District Karnal shared:

“In my village, girls are not allowed to study outside. But with support, my family agreed. Now I am pursuing ITI and living my dream.”

• Each enrolment represents not just an educational milestone, but a quiet shift in family and community mindsets.

• Safe Schools, Safe Villages: Institutional Partnerships Deepen

This quarter, 250 government stakeholders, including Chief Judicial Magistrates (CJMs), education officials, school heads, and Panchayat representatives, participated in cross-departmental meetings across 6 districts of Haryana.

We saw a meaningful shift: officials moved from acknowledging our work to actively requesting collaboration. Importantly we also observed increasing participation and voice of women Sarpanchs, strengthening gender representation in local governance.

As CJM Tarannum noted:

“Creating a safe environment is not just the responsibility of the school principal or village head, it is the collective responsibility of the entire community. Safety committees can only be effective when regular meetings ensure continuous dialogue and problem-solving.” 

• Communities Reflecting and Acting: Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) engages communities in identifying challenges, mapping resources, and prioritising collective solutions. In Haryana, PRA exercises were conducted with adolescents, youth, adult men and women, Community Developers, Team Change Leaders, and Panchayat representatives to surface barriers affecting girls’ mobility, safety, and aspirations. Using participatory tools, communities examined governance systems, caste and gender dynamics, and access to services, shifting dialogue from problem identification to action.

During the sessions, a recurring expectation emerged that girls should marry immediately upon turning 18, significantly limiting their mobility, education, and life choices. One illustrative example was the community’s reaction to a 35-year-old unmarried woman from the USA, where even women participants advised that she should get married. This response highlighted not only the intense social pressure faced by women who challenge traditional norms but also how deeply these norms are internalised by women themselves, underscoring the complex social context in which the programme operates.

Key findings across Gram Panchayats:

• 32% flagged lack of infrastructure (libraries, playgrounds, washrooms, sports facilities)
• 27% raised safety concerns
• 22% highlighted mobility restrictions for girls and women

In Jasia (District Rohtak), discussions revealed strong expectations for girls to marry at 18, underscoring how deeply internalised restrictive norms remain.

In Karola (District Gurugram), a male adult group collaborated with the Sarpanch to install streetlights in unsafe areas, demonstrating movement toward gender-responsive, community-led solutions. Youth also raised gender demands during Gram Sabhas and public hearings.

In the Ladsouli (District Sonipat) community, a PRA activity was conducted with the Kishori Group. A major issue identified by most of the adolescent girls was restriction on mobility. One of them, Afreen, shared that while she was only allowed to visit her friend’s place after her parents had spoken to her friend’s family, her brothers were allowed to go out anytime they wanted. She also shared that since the village school is only up to Class 10, many girls have to discontinue their education afterwards.

• Deeply entrenched gender norms, safety concerns, mobility restrictions, and lack of basic infrastructure continue to limit girls’ education, aspirations, and life choices. Sustainable change requires communities themselves to recognise and act on these challenges.

5. Parents as Partners in Gender Equality

We conductedspecial trainings with parents to strengthen supportive home environments and nurture adolescents’ aspirations. Through interactive sessions, parents reflected on shared responsibility, communication, and equal support for daughters and sons.

A father shared:
“Be it a boy or a girl, we should support them the same way.”

A mother said:
“My husband does not usually allow me to go anywhere. I am happy my children are part of this space… I will share this with him.”

• When parents begin to question bias at home, change accelerates across generations.

Sheela’s Journey: Transforming Mindsets and Empowering Girls

Sheela, a resident of Bhadani village, District Jhajjar, Haryana, grew up in a household where strict gender roles confined women to domestic duties. Her perspective began to shift when she was invited to serve as School Management Committee (SMC) head, responsible for improving school functioning and student welfare. Initially hesitant, Sheela worked closely with Breakthrough staff, learning about gender equality, girls’ rights, and violence prevention.

Empowered by these insights, Sheela advocated for the installation of proper drinking water facilities, successfully resolving the issue through persistent engagement with the SMC. Her commitment extended to her family, where she now ensures equal opportunities for her two daughters and son, actively challenging gender stereotypes at home.

Sheela also supported adolescent girls’ sports initiatives. When a local girls’ group faced resistance from parents to play, Sheela convened meetings, explained the importance of equality, and motivated parents to allow participation. As a result, a Kho-Kho team was formed, with Sheela actively encouraging the girls at every game. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “Breakthrough has given me new ideas and perspectives. I will stay connected and continue working to promote equality, reduce violence, and empower girls.”

Through her leadership, Sheela has improved school facilities, challenged traditional norms, and created safe, inclusive spaces for girls, inspiring her community to embrace  gender equality and adolescent empowerment.

• Why This Matters

Across villages, we see a consistent pattern: when girls gain voice and agency, when parents shift attitudes, when boys and men participate in dialogue, and when institutions collaborate, the ecosystem begins to change.

This quarter was not just about activities completed. It was about:

• Girls speaking where silence once prevailed
• Families supporting dreams once dismissed
• Communities choosing safety and dignity
• Governance systems responding to youth leadership

Norm change is gradual. But every letter submitted, every girl re-enrolled, every repaired streetlight, and every community conversation brings us closer to a generation that rejects gender-based violence and believes in equal futures.Thank you for helping us make this possible.