Rati Misra, Executive Director, Milaan Foundation
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Advancing Women’s Intellectual Academia Amplifies Workforce Integration & Economic Parity
Education will always be the most powerful tool in a woman’s arsenal. In a country like India, home to the world’s largest adolescent population — including 120 million girls — it is crucial that the Samaaj, Sarkar, and Bazaar invest in them consistently.
The World Bank states that if a girl completes 12 years of schooling, it can add up to $30 million USD in lifetime earnings to the global economy. An educated woman is an informed woman — she makes decisions about her financial independence, marriage, and motherhood on her own terms. This leads to greater workforce participation, lower poverty, reduced maternal and child mortality, and healthier, more educated communities. When we educate women, we transform entire communities.
Female Education Dropout Rates Weaken Talent Pipeline & Widens The Socio-Economic Gaps
Too many girls in India are forced to leave school far too soon. UNICEF reports that nearly 40% of girls aged 15-18 are out of school, with dropout rates soaring after primary education.
The root causes? Poverty, early marriage, safety concerns, and a system that still doesn’t prioritise their education. The NFHS also reveals that 23% of girls are married before 18, cutting short their dreams and potential. When a girl drops out, it’s not just her loss — it’s a loss for her family, her community, and the entire country. Generations suffer due to gender-regressive norms, yet girls rarely have a say in these life-altering decisions.
Strategic Alliance Propels Systemic Empowerment & Social Transformation
Keeping girls in school starts with changing hearts and minds. Too often, families see education as a luxury for their daughters rather than a necessity. We need to meet them where they are—listening to their concerns, addressing their fears, and showing them what’s possible when a girl stays in school. Mothers who never had the chance to study must hear stories of women who did and thrived, helping to shift the social narrative and catalyze change within communities. Fathers must see that an educated daughter is an asset, not a burden. Affirmative action is crucial—local police, schools, governments, and corporations must work together to create a strong foundation for girls' empowerment. Community mentors, local leaders, and teachers must stand beside these girls, reminding them—and the world—that their dreams matter.
Strategic Assertion Of Choice & Ambition Fuels Female Leadership & Economic Mobility
Your future is yours to decide. Education, work, financial independence, marriage—these are your choices, no one else’s. The world may not always make space for you, so take it. Ask the tough questions, demand opportunities, and never apologize for wanting more.
