Empowering Change in Ragini’s Journey
Ragini, a young woman, faced gender-based discrimination due to harmful beliefs. An astrologer predicted she could only have a female child after five pregnancies, leading her family to consider female feticide. Addressing this was crucial for promoting gender equality and inclusivity.
Traditional attempts fell short. The project team engaged with Ragini, urging her against female feticide. However, the approach lacked involving the wider family.
A member of the team recognized the need for a new approach involving the community. They listened to Ragini’s concerns, sensitizing the family to gender equality’s importance. They shared government initiatives and health programs, empowering informed decisions.
Results were profound. Ragini decided to continue her pregnancy, regardless of gender. Her husband and mother-in-law questioned their beliefs. Involving Anganwadi and medical care protected Ragini and her unborn child’s health.
The approach’s success proved empathy, knowledge, and community involvement drive change. Education about government initiatives and gender discrimination awareness can bring a societal shift towards equality and empowerment. Compassionate individuals, partnerships, and government support are essential for scaling this approach.
Through successes like Ragini’s, transformation seeds are sown, promising a brighter and equitable future.
The Problem
The serious issue in SPT’s operational area is that the rate of female feticide is at 28%. It is still in practice in the rural pockets due to the lack of livelihood options and poor wage system. Children drop out because schools and Anganwadis are very far away from interior hamlets. Lack of access to schools coupled with poor infrastructure like no safe and hygienic toilet facilities for girl children, electricity, playground and a friendly atmosphere are also major reasons for drop out.
The Solution
CRY America’s project SPT works in Salem and Dharmapuri Districts, Tamil Nadu to ensure proper health and nutrition. The project activities are, enhancing the quality of education through direct engagement with stakeholders and sensitizing the community towards reduction in the rate of incidences of female feticide. The other activities include organizing health awareness for children at household level, awareness with parents and children focusing on enrollment & ensuring retention of children in the transiting grades.
Impact of the Project
● 30 dropouts enrolled in school
● 30 female feticide stopped
● 25 children linked to scholarship
● 780 children regularly attending school
2023 Plans
● Removing 18 children from labor
● Re-enrol 15 dropout children
● Organizing cluster level awareness meeting on gender
● Focused engagement with high risk mothers and their families
● 2 Trainings for 60 teachers on child rights issues
● Conducting minimum of 10 VCPC Meetings in 5 Villages
2023 Budget
