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