Promoting Muslim and Dalit Girl Child Education and Women Empowerment Program

Implemented by SSK in Cholapur Block of Varanasi District Instituted by Rajiv Gandhi Foundation


About Cholapur Block (Click here for Map)

Cholapur block in Varanasi district is 20 kms from district headquarter. The total population of the block is 204348 (as per 2001 census) out of which 50% population is of dalits and backwards. Dalit population in the area mainly comprises of muslim dalits who are engaged in weaving business and they are just surviving on hand to mouth existence. The status of the women in the area is very pathetic they mainly support family in weaving. The average size of the family in the area is 6-8. Women in the area are still in the trap of feudalistic and patriarchal norms. The area witnesses quite a high maternal mortality rate which is 760.The status of the education in girls is poor particularly in muslim population as they have to take care of the family and manage household chores as entire family is involved in weaving.
The area observes a high drop out rate of muslim girl child ranging from age 6 years and above which is approximately 92%. Major reasons for high drop out rate of muslim girls is poverty followed by cultural environment of the region which includes early marriage, no higher education for girls and wasting no resources on girls education as the family has limited resources. The poor quality of education in primary schools is another reason for high drop rate because community has a feeling that why to waste resources on education when quality and good education is not ensured, its better they should drop studies and extend support to family.With muslim girls in the area it is observed that their mean age of marriage is 15.5 years this is further associated with high early fertility, which affects their nutrition and health status.

SSK’s Intervention in Cholapur Block

SSK is intervening in 10 panchayats of Cholapur block of Varanasi district under promoting muslim and dalit girl child education and women empowerment program. The program aims at strengthening capacities of panchayats to improve quality of education as well as promoting community based organisations to raise as well as advocate on issues related to rights of girls and women. The program is also supported by a scholarship program for girl students. The scholarship program called as ‘Vidya Gyan Scholarship’ targets girls from class 6 to 10. Along with scholarship special arrangement has been made for group coaching and extending mentoring support.
During the initiation phase of the program when dialogue was facilitated with guardians and primary school teachers for collecting names of girl students for enrolment under scholarship program, the interaction provided us key information towards real status and issues concerning girl child education particularly muslim and dalit girl child education. It provide us with the fact that issue for poor state of girl child education is not only limited to economic reason but it has a wider dimension which is very largely influenced by social and cultural rigidness and issues. These rigidness and issues are responsible for poor state of girl child education. With an objective to support our observations and insights SSK conducted a study on the factors influencing girl child education particularly muslim and dalit in Cholapur block of Varanasi.
The insights from study bring out the reasons for gradual decline in the number of girl children going to school as they move up the class ladder. The reason for drop out is poverty which accounts for 34% drop out cases. 19% of drop out cases are due to cultural environment which includes early marriage for girl as well as there is an attitude that no higher education for girls and why to waste resources on girls education. 17% of drop out cases among girl children are due to household responsibilities such as cooking, home- keeping and rearing younger siblings.
In contrast to this situation 55% girl children of the area are willing to go to school and continue their education, if due consent of their parents is taken. At community level it is observed that majority of population approx 79% feel education is important for overall development. They also feel that status of education can improve if some financial support is provided.

Activities Covered
ADOLESCENT GIRLS ORIENTATION REPORT ON GENDER
KNOW MORE ABOUT VIDYAGYAN SCHOLARSHIP



Coverage Area

10 Gram Panchayats of Cholapur block which include Srikanthpur, Hariharpur, Dharuhara, Ugapur, Rampur, Chandrawati, Cholapur, Dharsuna, Murali, Bhawanipur.

Target Group

  • Muslim and Dalit Girls of age group 12- 18
  • Parents and Guardians of girl students
  • Women
  • Elected Representatives of panchayats
  • Village education committee
  • School Teachers
  • Government officials


Operation Strategy

Building Scholastic Aptitude-


With an objective to build scholastic aptitude of girl students Coaching classes are being organized particularly for subjects like Maths, English and Science. These classes are organized in their villages and local instructors are appointed to facilitate the process. During classes teachers try to induce play way methods and other creative mode of teaching like stories, poems and skits so to keep the interest of students alive. Coaching classes are being organized for the girl students of class 6th to 10th. Apart from this scholarship support is also provided to girl students of muslim and dalit community coming from economically weaker section. The scholarship is awarded through open competitive exam and short listed candidates on basis of merits are awarded scholarship. At present there are 222 students who have been awarded scholarships. Scholarship is awarded to students from class 6th to 9th. Along with this with an objective to enhance employability of adolescent girls studying in class 6th and 9th they are enrolled in computer classes.

Capacity Building-

Capacity building programs are organized for members of kishori groups, members of women groups and elected representatives. The capacity building aims at strengthening, sensitizing and creating awareness towards their rights and entitlements as well as enables them to understand their roles and responsibilities.

Sensitizing PRI's and VEC-

This is one of the most important strategies of the program, efforts are taken up towards sensitizing PRIs to take up education as one of the developmental issues and building capacities of VEC so as to activate the members to check and monitor quality of education in schools. This is done through organizing campaigns, orientations and regular meetings.

Handholding-

Handholding support is being provided to girls by organizing Creative activities particularly art, craft and painting, Cultural programs and competitions for girls are also organized as well as they are given inputs on Interpersonal communication and personal counseling. These activities provide scope to these girls to show their talent as well as this enhances their confidence level as well as helps in grooming their personality.

Community Mobilization-

Community mobilization is one of the most important components of the program, the objective is to initiate the process of citizen monitoring so as to improve quality of primary education. This is done through organizing Guardians meeting, Building Guardians Forum, Organizing women groups, and Community level meetings.

Involving Stakeholders-

Involving stakeholders is one of the key strategies of the program, the issues identified at field level particularly with reference to quality education and other developmental issues are taken up for advocacy at different administrative levels. The key activities are Building rapport with Government officials, Sensitizing members of PRIs, Sensitizing teachers of primary school, Building rapport with teachers of other public and private schools, other active members of community


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