In a deep-rooted patriarchal society of Bihar, women and girls face considerable discrimination, inequality, child marriage, dowry demands, and physical abuse.
Female literacy in Bihar is the lowest in India. Bihar is at the bottom rungs of the United Nations Gender Related Development Index (GDI) and the Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM).
Akhand Jyoti, through its unique program, seeks to improve the life of the girl child. The program offers the girls education and career opportunities. This also leads to a broader impact in the local society as our girls develop into role models and change agents.
Seeking To Make Change, One Girl At A Time
Akhand Jyoti has a unique “Football to Eyeball” girl education and development program. Under this program, girls are encouraged to play football. We use football as a medium to show the local society that the traditional stereo-types, which undermine opportunities for (particularly rural) girls can be overcome for the better.
For example, girls playing football breaks the stereo-type that football is a boys-only game, that girls should not play outside in fields and should not wear shorts. Also, it builds up the girls’ self-confidence, team-work, disciplines and drive competitiveness and ambitions.
This program has been underway since 2009, and targets girls (of 10 or 11 years of age) from relatively poor social and economic families.
We provide girls free full boarding; education, vocational training and formal academic qualification as an Optometrist; employment; and finally, an opportunity for a better quality of life.
We have seen girls, who have been through our education program, mature and grow with academic and practical knowledge, and confidence, and are now increasingly becoming role models in the broader local community. They have become a core, and very able, part of our team striving to eradicate blindness in Bihar.
Know More about Football to Eyeball
There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark
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