- A ‘Walk to EmpowHER’ march was organized at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden, Pune, on Sunday.
- The event was hosted by the Child Rights and You (CRY) foundation.
- Over 300 participants joined the early morning walk.
A ‘Walk to EmpowHER’ march was held at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden in Pune on Sunday, organized by the CRY foundation to promote women’s education. Part of the ‘Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai’ campaign, the event raised awareness about the barriers preventing Indian girls from completing secondary education. Over 300 people, including education officers, participated in the walk.
Kreeanne Rabadi, Regional Director CRY West, highlighted that in India; only three out of five girls reach Grades 11 and 12. She emphasized that "Many girls are at risk of being forced into child labor, early marriages, or early pregnancies. It is crucial that we recognize this issue and ensure our girls receive the support they need to complete their education, which is a fundamental right for every girl,"
Manisha V. Biraris, Child Development Project Officer for Urban Pune, stressed the importance of collective action for girls' education. She asked, “If we don’t join hands, then who will fight for the basic right of education for these girls?”
Biraris emphasized that educating a girl child is the foundation of a strong nation. She noted that investing in girls' education is an investment in a brighter tomorrow for everyone.
Rani Khedekar, Chairperson of the Pune Child Welfare Committee, expressed her joy at seeing such a large crowd supporting the cause. She remarked, “This is a great way to start the morning. For girls to be included in the decision-making process, education is the first step, and access to education is key to achieving that.”
Vaishali Gaikwad from the Pune Child Welfare Committee said, “This is a celebration, and more people should join such events instead of focusing only on religious ones. It helps raise awareness about the challenges girls face in education.”
