India: Educational Opportunities for Girls and Women
The education of girls and women in India has made significant progress in recent decades, but still faces numerous challenges. In recent years, the Indian government has launched various programs to improve access to education for girls. EBM INTERNATIONAL is also helping through various initiatives: Primary and secondary schools, tutoring projects and training centers improve the chances of girls and young women to lead independent lives and generate a secure income for themselves and their families.
Old ways of thinking slow down development
Social attitudes are a decisive factor in girls' education. In many parts of India, there are still deeply rooted gender stereotypes that restrict girls' access to education. Traditional role models and the pressure to marry early can lead to girls dropping out of school.
According to the National Sample Survey Office in India, the enrollment rate of girls in elementary school in 2020 was around 95%, which is an increase compared to previous years. However, there are significant differences between urban and rural areas. In rural areas, the enrollment rate for girls is often lower and many girls drop out of school early, often due to family responsibilities or financial difficulties.
Poujiya: Support through tutoring
The fishing villages around Nellore (Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on the south-east coast) is one such disadvantaged region. The organization CRWDS - a partner of EBM INTERNATIONAL for many years - reaches around 150 children in the tutoring centers there. The approach is holistic: healthy food, games and fun provide variety during tutoring. They also receive the necessary school materials there. The children are also encouraged in their talents and learn valuable things for life. 13-year-old Poujiya (name changed) writes:
"I always felt very bad at school because I wasn't able to follow the lessons. As neither of my parents could read or write, it was very difficult for me to do well in the exams. The tutoring centers helped us a lot to improve my performance and make learning easier. I scored 78 percent in our school exams."
Need to catch up in higher education
Supporting girls like Poujiya gives them the opportunity to aim for higher qualifications. There is still a lot of catching up to do there too: While the number of girls completing elementary school has risen, the number of girls attending higher education or university falls short of expectations. In 2021, the proportion of women completing higher education was only around 30%, which is relatively low compared to the 50% of men (source: All India Survey on Higher Education, AISHE).
Training centers enable women to earn their own income
Vocational training is an opportunity for young women to earn their own salary later on and lead a self-determined life - without the fear of forced marriage or exploitation. Especially for girls who have not finished school, this is a chance for a better life. EBM INTERNATIONAL supports 8 sewing schools in India. There are also training projects in other professions. In 2023, 89 young women completed a computer or sewing course at the training center of our partner “Bridge of Hope” in Gotlam. 16 students at the sewing school were given their own sewing machine and a starter kit, the necessary accessories. One of the seamstresses is Nandini (name changed).
Nandini will soon be a seamstress
Her mother was a single mother and her father married another woman when Nandini was 6 years old. Since then, she and her mother have lived with her grandparents. Their state pension is very low and Nandini's mother earns very little. Nandini herself went to school until the 12th grade, but was unable to graduate. She therefore decided to train as a seamstress in Gotlam. She enjoys working creatively with fabric and designing her own clothes. She will be finished in a few months and is already looking forward to earning her own money and being able to support her family.
