Support A Young Girls Leadership Academy in India

This year CREA organized SELF Academy from August 5th to 14th with 33 young women aged 18 - 25 years from 11 community based organizations from the states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. For many of them, it was the first time traveling to Delhi. All were excited, enthusiastic, and a little nervous to have come to a different city for 10 days.

In an ice - breaking session, we requested participants to share their dreams, what they aspired to become and what is it that they expect out of the Academy. We created a tree of our dreams, in which participants put their hand prints in different colours and wrote about their dreams. Many of them wrote:

“Main Ek Leader Banna Chahti Hun” ( I want to become a leader). 

“Mujhe Dancer Banna Hai” (I want to become a dancer)

“Mujhe Engineer Banna Hai” (I want to become an Engineer)

“Main Ek Teacher Banna Chahti Hun” (I want to become a teacher)

Most of them shared their dreams and aspired to become a nurse, a teacher, engineer, dancer etc.

When asked about their expectations and motivations from the SELF Academy, many participants expressed a strong desire to learn about issues affecting girls and women so they can discuss these topics in their villages. They wanted to share new information with their communities and feel empowered to express their thoughts openly, without fear or shyness.

Participants were eager to understand important subjects like gender and health, and wanted to be in a space which encouraged  them to ask questions. They also wished to learn about women’s rights to advocate against exploitation in their communities and to gain knowledge about sexuality, reproductive rights, and health rights.

Many shared their aspiration of becoming strong leaders, building their confidence, and sharing what they learnt at the Academy with other girls to help them become self-reliant. They envisioned a continuous cycle of learning, where they could pass on their knowledge to others and reach as many people as possible. Additionally, they hoped to make new friends and build supportive networks during their time at the Academy.

This year the CREA team curated different topics, keeping in mind these expectations and needs of the participants. The programme covered various critical topics such as 'Gender, Patriarchy, Power, and Intersectionality', Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)', 'Digital Security, Social Media, and Mental Well-Being', 'Mental Well-Being in Digital Space', 'Theater Sessions', and 'English Skills and Computer Literacy'. 

Self-Academy 2024 was a transformative experience that combined skill development with critical social discourse. Participants emerged more confident in their English-speaking abilities, improved their computer skills, and gained a deeper understanding of gender, sexuality, and their rights. The programme equipped them with practical tools to navigate both online and offline environments effectively, positioning them as advocates for themselves and their communities. The emphasis on personal growth, societal negotiation, and digital safety created a robust framework for young women to embrace their identities and aspirations confidently.