Lucknow:“Feminist coalition is formed with the aim of uniting grassroots organizations to take collective action against gender-based violence.” said  Dr Urvashi Sahni founder and CEO of SHEF at Feminist coalition meetingon Wednesday 26th July. This meeting was organized  Study Hall Education Foundation (SHEF)’s Aarohini Initiative. Over 35 NGOs and government officials like UNICEF, Care India, AALI, HUM Foundation, Helping Hands, and YES Foundation were in attendance. 

The purpose of this annual meeting was to foster solutions, encourage collaboration and have dialogues on collective action that can be taken on critical issues faced by marginalized communities for centuries, especially women.  

“Through collaborative efforts, NGOs that are present here can seamlessly navigate through problems that they were unable to handle independently. This collaboration can turn into a powerful alliance” said Priyanka Saxena who is in charge of the The “India’s Daughters’ Campaign,” a campaign run by the Study Hall Educational Foundation, which has a powerful strategy that involves boys and men while addressing gender inequality, instigating change within them and the society.  

Saumya a representative of AALI Foundation Lucknow said “we should take charge of India’s Daughters’ Campaign and educate boys and men about gender justice. Help them build a gender lens which would help create collective front against gender based violence”

The event was highly engaging, consisting of various activities and discussions that fostered mutual understanding among the NGOs. It paved the way for numerous potential collaborations in the future.

Lucknow: On 24th June 2023, A 5-day gender justice camp held in Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra ended with a felicitation ceremony for all the participants. The camp was organized by Study Hall Education Foundation’s Aarohini Program in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh Government’s Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) for 86 boys from 43 upper primary government schools in Laharpur block, Sitapur. The ceremony was attended by Mr P.K. Tripathi Joint director of the social welfare department, Uttar Pradesh and Vinod Tiwari, police chief, Saidpur, Bakshi ka Talab.

The purpose of this camp was to make boys aware of gender issues and help them create a gender lens through active discussions and activities thus causing a shift in their mindset so that are able to understand gender disparity, They also learnt that Patriarchy is as harmful to boys as it is to girls. To eradicate patriarchy, boys must join the cause alongside girls. These boys are now prepared to create a safer, more inclusive world for women and girls by educating their parents and community about gender issues and societal injustices, thereby raising awareness.

Addressing the children Mr P.K. Tripathi said  “All of you have been selected by the Study Hall Educational Foundation as champions of gender justice, I know for sure that this camp has taught all of you to be better citizens and instilled values like respect and responsibility in you. Camps like these should be organized in every school !”

Mr Jishan a Student from Laharpur Block Sitapur said  “Patriarchy affects boys as well as girls. We must work towards ending gender discrimination, starting from our own homes by supporting our mothers and sisters Let’s raise our voices together for gender equality. I am very excited to share what I have learned in this camp with my friends.”

“It’s time for boys and men to change,” says Ms Priyanka Saxena, Program Manager, Aarohini Program. She mentions that a remarkable change is seen in the boys that have participated in the camp. These boys are now excited to share what they have learned in the camp with their friends back home and support their mothers and sisters in daily chores. These boys have successfully become champions of gender justice.  

The program ended with the distribution of certificates to all the participants and a group photograph with the chief guests. 

Lucknow: To celebrate International Yoga Day, Study Hall Education Foundation’s Aarohini program in collaboration with the Sarva Shiksha Vibhaag of Uttar Pradesh organized a yoga session as a part of their 5-day residential camp for gender justice and equality in Sehbhagi Shikshan Kendra.

The session had active participation of children and teachers, who engaged in a wide array of yoga asanas and pranayama exercises. The teachers also gave detailed explanations regarding the significance and benefits of each asana.

The camp is specifically catering to children coming from 43 upper primary government schools located in the Laharpur block of Sitapur. The primary objective of this camp is to educate and empower young boys, encouraging them to become Champions of Gender Justice and act as advocates for issues regarding gender.

Priyanka Saxena, program manager, Aarohini, expressed her enthusiasm, stating that this unique camp can provide a remarkable platform for boys to transform through yoga, active discussions and activities.

Lucknow: Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organised Join the Discussion on Child marriage is slavery. Ms Ruchita Chowdhary, SP Women and Child Security wing, Lucknow, Director of Lucknow Childline, Dr. Sangeeta Sharma and Dr Uravshi Sahni, Founder and CEO of SHEF were the panelist of the discussion. Over 320 people attended the webinar. The aim was to address issue of child marriages. The panelists interacted with Gram Panchayat Pradhan, government officials, child Line and members of One Stop Center.

SHEF’s Founder and CEO Dr. Urvashi Sahni said “Child marriage is child slavery! Once we recognise this, only then we will be able to change the mindset of the masses.”

“The pradhans and the panchayat members should intervene in matters regarding child marriage. They should unlearn all old notions and think about the wellbeing of the children.” said Sangeeta Sharma while addressing the Pradhans and the Gram Panchayat members.

Ruchita Chaudhary, SP Women and Child Security wing, Lucknow said, “Child marriage is violence against women. Even today our society is unable to understand the gravity of the crime.”

During the webinar the panelists engaged and talked about how to intervene and stop child marriage and where can they find support and legal guidance from.

Sitapur: Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized an event ‘Gair barabari ke Khilaf Pakhwada’ engaging students and teachers from 43 government run upper primary schools of Laharpur block in Sitapur. This event is being conducted in order to raise awareness among boys about gender inequality and to help them become advocates of gender justice in the school and communities. The guests for the occasion were SSP Sushil Ghule Chandrabhan, Block Education Officer Shaheen Ansari, One Stop Centre in charge Deepika Ji, the member of Child Welfare Committee Sanjay Ji, and Laharpur thana in charge Rajeev Ji.

Sushil Ghule Chandrabhan said, “It is very important for women to become independent and take decisions about their life. Education is the only way we can empower women and educate the society to see them as equals.” 

Priyanka Saxena, Program manager of Aarohini Initiative said, “If we want equality and our country to progress, boys and men need to become advocates of gender justice and become active participants in building an egalitarian society.”

Students actively participated in several activities such as – critical dialogues, poster making, story writing and role play were conducted on the issue of inequality and social norms. The uniqueness of each child has been displayed through these activities. A drama was presented on ‘Discrimination’ by the students of Upper Primary School Basantipur got the first prize, the drama presentation on ‘Dowry’ by the students of Patwara School got the second prize. And the third prize was won by the girls, students of Nivori Vidyalaya by presenting a skit on ‘Child Marriage’. Director General of Police Sushil Chandrabhan appreciated the efforts made by all the participants and teachers by giving prizes and certificates to the winners. 

Photo courtesy: DSH Team