Empower 300 girls to end gender based violence

Dear Global Givers,

We are thrilled to provide you with an update on iPartner India’s mission to empower 300 girls to combat gender-based violence. Your support has been instrumental in our efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of girls and women in underprivileged communities.

The most significant achievement of the project has been the expansion of our initiatives into a new geography, which is a peri-urban area situated in the South 24 Pargana district of West Bengal. This expansion was the result of thorough research, including studies, focused group discussions (FGDs), and baseline assessments in the area.

We conducted a comprehensive Household Survey, engaging with 84 families in six villages across two Gram Panchayats and two locations within the municipality. This survey involved 168 direct participants and collected information about 375 family members. We gathered data on demographics, education, school attendance, occupation, family income, and more

In addition to the Household Survey, we held 10 FGDs with groups of girls and women, with 110 participants. Challenges such as the lack of education support, mobility restrictions, and inadequate access to quality schools were identified.  On the other hand, the community expressed the need for education support, job skill development, sports facilities, and livelihood opportunities. Furthermore, women and girls reported instances of domestic violence in their neighbourhoods.

We conducted a Baseline Assessment on Gender Understanding with 110 girls and women, which revealed significant insights into attitudes toward gender equality. Some of the significant responses during the baselines are stated here.  82% of women and girls said that ‘Boys do all the hard work and hence should get more nutritious food’. In another response, 87.1% of women and girls agreed that ‘A good woman eats at the end after feeding her family’. 65% said ‘A man is better equipped to make all the important decisions related to money, property, etc’. 45% said Husbands beat up their wives to correct them if they have done something wrong, and that is okay.

100 girls and 50 women have been enrolled in various training and development initiatives planned for the upcoming months. In the new geography, 30 girls have enrolled in football coaching sessions, and the initial training sessions, led by our senior and expert coach, have already begun.

Although iPartner India has transitioned out of the earlier location, our football team continues to thrive, with the notable achievement of selecting six girls to participate in the Kolkata Football League State Level tournament. Throughout the project period, the team reached over 200 girls and women, offering continuous support to skilled football players through sports scholarships.

As we expand our presence to new areas, our activities are planned to prioritise relationship-building with the community. This includes community meetings, exposure visits, and sports meets, all aimed at fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support, which has allowed us to make a significant impact in the lives of girls and women in these underserved communities. However, our work is far from over, and we kindly request your continued support to sustain and expand our initiatives.

Thank you for empowering girls to end gender-based violence.

Warm regards,

Team iPartner India

Dear Global Givers,

Warm greetings and sincere thanks for your invaluable support of iPartner India's campaign to empower 300 girls and end gender-based violence. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of these girls from resource-poor communities. This campaign aims to empower them, promote gender equality, and provide leadership and skill-building opportunities.

We want to take this opportunity to update you on our progress during the past quarter. Your support has enabled us to implement several initiatives and reach significant milestones. Here are the key activities this campaign undertook:

1. Empowerment Programs

• Organised a two-day Training of Trainers (TOT) session for the core team, focusing on gender and sexuality.
• Conducted regular meetings with the core team members to discuss project activities and ensure effective implementation of the same.

2. Skill Development

• 24 girls who have been trained on Gender, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (ARSHR), and other skills over the past years are taking three sessions each on yoga, nutrition, and arts activities for children, which are refining their skills.
• ARSHR training sessions for more than 100 girls and boys were conducted, covering topics such as STI/HIV, healthy relationships, and gender identity.
• Successfully engaged a new batch of adolescent boys and girls in gender training, focusing on laws protecting women and girls' rights.

3. Legal Assistance and Counseling Support

• The team provided legal support in four cases of gender-based violence, including filing cases in court and offering counselling support.
• Conducted counselling sessions and follow-ups to address girls' emotional well-being and empowerment.

4. Sports and Civic Participation:

• Held basic football coaching sessions and advanced training for the girls, allowing them to develop their skills and promote gender equality through sports. Four girls participated in the State football league. 

We sincerely thank you for your continued support and belief in our cause. Your contributions have helped us create a positive impact and empowered these girls to break barriers and live a life free from violence. 

With your continued contributions, we can empower more girls, provide them with the necessary skills and resources, and work towards ending gender-based violence in their communities. Together, we can make a lasting change and build a better future for these girls.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Team iPartner India