Empowerment of 400,000 Adolescent Girls in India

When Girls Raise Their Voice for Change

Introduction

Institute of Health Management Pachod (IHMP) conducts Life Skills Education (LSE) programs, each for a period of six months.  While undergoing LSE the girls are organized into Girls Collectives (Kishori Mandals), which are managed by the girls themselves.

The Kishori Mandal members are imparted leadership skills. The aim is to empower these girls for future leadership roles. By participating in its activities, the girls develop leadership potential and learn about their rights, team building, and collective responsibility. The office bearers of the Kishori Mandal are elected democratically.

Case Study

Eknathnagar, a small village with a population of 448 people, has only 36 adolescent girls. They have organized themselves into a collective, which they named the Prerna Kishori Mandal. By identifying community problems and taking collective action, this Girls Collective has become a source of inspiration for adolescent girls in other villages.

The girls from this village and several adjoining villages go to school in a nearby town. The girls were facing a critical problem at school. The toilets were filthy with no proper water supply. This situation not only discouraged girls from using them but also posed serious risks to their health. After their life skills education and leadership training, the Kishori Mandal members of these villages decided to take collective action to rectify this problem, with adolescent girls belonging to the Prerna Kishori Mandal in Eknathnagar taking the lead.

With help from IHMP staff, they prepared a formal letter demanding better toilet facilities and water supply in their school. The members of the Girls Collectives from several villages went to the appropriate Government official to submit their letter and demanded urgent action. This joint effort created a strong collective voice, ensuring that their concerns would not be ignored.

For the first time, the adolescent girls of Eknathnagar and adjoining villages realized the power of collective action. They overcame their hesitation and learned to present their demands boldly to the local authorities. The application for hygienic toilet facilities became more than just a request—it became a symbol of leadership, unity, and empowerment.

The story of Prerna Kishori Mandal shows how a small group of adolescent girls can spark meaningful change when they acquire self-confidence. By raising their voices for safe sanitation, they not only addressed a health issue but also demonstrated their identity as future leaders.

Over the years, IHMP has imparted Life skills Education to over 100,000 adolescent girls. They are organized into Girls Collectives in their own villages. The collectives are demanding their rights and mobilizing communities to bring about transformative change. They are ready to take responsibility as future leaders.