Vikalp Sansthan Annual Reportvikalpindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Vikalp-Annual-report-2014-15.pdf · 3 | V i k a l p A n n u a l r e p o r t 2 0 1 4 - 1 5 E n g l i s h About

1 | V i k a l p A n n u a l r e p o r t 2 0 1 4 - 1 5 E n g l i s h

Vikalp Sansthan

Annual Report 2014 to 2015

80, Vinayak Nagar, Ramgiri, Badgoan- 313011, Udaipur (Rajasthan)- INDIA

Email- [email protected]

Website- www.vikalpindia.org


Preface Vikalp has been working in Rajasthan on the issues of violence against women and education for girls since 2004. It has now completed 10 years of its work, which has given us varied experience and opportunities for learning. Vikalp has regularly incorporated these experiences into its strategy and designed new programs to bring substantial impact to society.

This year we piloted new programs including Sports 4 Empowerment and Girl Friendly City, which were very successful. In addition to creating a friendly environment for girls and women, these programs have increased participants’ confidence and motivated them. Our programs, especially Sports 4 Empowerment, have added new facets to participants’ personality and opened new doors for the growth of girls. Vikalp is planning to expend these programs in the coming year.

This year was also important for Vikalp as we had opportunities to share our experience in international forums including the Girls Summit in London, Girls Not Brides Global Network, and the No Ceiling: Full Participation program organized by the Clinton Foundation and the Bill & Malinda Gates Foundation. Along with sharing our experiences, we had the chance to meet people from different countries who work on similar issues.

Our different campaigns to stop child marriage (Our Daughters right, send Our Daughter to School, and Badhte Kadam) have been successful in creating a child-marriage-free environment and engaging youth and community members. Along with campaigns, different activities like creating and strengthening platforms, spreading awareness and capacity building of different stakeholders including youth, adolescent girls, and women was done to increase awareness in society towards child marriage and violence against women.

Our youth participants also took part in various workshops at the state and national level, which has increased their confidence and motivated them to work with zeal. We celebrated numerous holidays, including International women’s Day, International Girl’s Day, International Youth Day, and Global We Can Day, My Childhood My Right etc to build women-friendly environments and create space for them in society.

Local self –Governance at the village level was sensitized by means of dialogue and involvement in various activities. We organized workshops for women representatives for awareness and capacity building to develop their leadership, increase their participation in panchayats and teach them to present women’s issues in a government forum.


About Us Vikalp Sansthan is a Rajasthan-based organization working in nine districts of western and southern Rajasthan since 2004. It was started by a group of young people who had a vision for the social, economic and political growth of Rajasthan based on their experience of working with communities in the most deprived and vulnerable areas of Rajasthan.

Vikalp is committed to creating a violence-free society based on equity, justice and peace. Vikalp works with youth and adolescents to address gender-based violence by enlisting their help as volunteers or agents of change. We create platforms through which youth can voice their opinions and integrate their needs with the process of social development.

Vision

To create a violence-free society that will be based on equity, justice and peace. A social environment which can enables – Physical and mental freedom for all irrespective of caste, class and gender, freedom from gender-based violence, equal Opportunities for Girls and Women and freedom from discrimination.

Mission

To create a platform where youth can voice their opinion and integrate their voice into the process of social development, thereby enhancing their capacities and co-creating opportunities for their meaningful participation in their communities’ development leading to sustainable development.

Work strategy

Create platforms and community-based organizations to identify, address, and solve local issues through common consent.

Conduct public campaigns led by volunteers, change-makers, and our partners

Empower local communities and raise awareness about critical social issues

Create linkages between local government, administration, politicians and other stakeholders to address issues of Violence against Women (VAW)

Motivate local community members and involve youth to monitor their neighborhoods through community networks that encourage the maintenance of a violence free society

Vikalp believes that violence against women is not only an issue for women; it affects the whole family and the society. VAW does not end with the empowerment of women. It is important to engage and sensitize men through regular interaction, training and workshops. Therefore, Vikalp not only works with women but also with men from all sections of the life including; teachers, police, shopkeepers, caste leaders, religious leaders, businessmen, auto rickshaw drivers, representatives of local governance etc. Vikalp mobilizes them for alternative behaviors and to act as a role model in their own family and society to reduce and remove VAW.


Girls Empowerment

Girls’ collective meeting

Girls’ collective meeting was organized in order to impart information on importance of education, to encourage them to fight towards their issues such as gender discrimination, gender violence, to provide them safe and fear free atmosphere to girls where they can express their self freely and get solution of their issues through personal counselling or family counselling. In year 2014-2015, we organized total 141 meetings with young girls in which total 1250 girls participated from different villages. Main agenda of the meeting were gender and gender violence, child marriage, education, health, dreams and life skill sessions were taken in the meeting.

Girls have equal right for education

“Education inherently serves both public and private interests. It addresses public interests by preparing the young to assume adult roles that promote civic responsibility, embrace a common set of economic and political values, and share a common language. Education serves private interests in promoting individual development, understanding, and productivity that contribute to adult productivity and wellbeing.” - Levin (2001)

Apani Ladli ne School Bhejo Abhiyan

Vikalp has been working on providing equal opportunity of development to girls and education is very important aspect of one’s life for self-development and self-empowerment.

Hence, Vikalp organized a campaign to bring awareness in the community towards girl education called “Apani Ladli Ne School Bhejo”. The campaign was titled in local language to encourage community ownership.


A campaign to regularize dropout girls in school was organized from June-August. Different methods were adopted to sensitize and motivate the community to send their daughters to school. Dropout girls and their families were identified and listed. Then we counseled parents and organized rallies, discussions and dialogue with school staff about girls’ issues.

Under the “Apani Ladli Ne School Bhejo” campaign 21 village meetings, adolescent’s girls meeting, Youth meeting and meeting with volunteers were organized in which importance of education, right to education, different government schemes regarding education etc were discussed.

Village rallies were organized in collaboration of 45 government schools in which Sarpanch, Wardpanch, Village level worker, ANM, ASHA, Aganwadi worker, teachers, cast leaders and parents actively participated and encouraged each and every village member to send their daughters to the schools. As a result of “Apani Ladli Ne School Bhejo Campaign” 226 girls to primary school and around 100 girls and child brides were admitted to school.

Another Campaign was organized specially for awareness on child marriage; II covered 15 villages and 450 youth. Approximately 4,500 people participated in the street play “Rani ko Jawab Chahiye” (Rani wants the answer). Two thousand people made aware about girl education through workshops and dialogue organized in eight schools.

Reconnecting school dropout adolescent to education

Vikalp has conducted surveys related to girls education and found that many girls have dropped out from schools at the between the age of 5 to 8 because of early marriage. Under the scheme of ‘apni ladli ne school bhejo’, Vikalp has given special concern to reconnect these girls to education.

Many workshop and event has been organized to create interest toward education among dropout adolescent girls, to make them aware about the importance of education and to discuss their future Vikalp has organized two workshops on block level. Along with girls Vikalp has also discuss the same with their parents. As a result 94 girls for 10th exam and 20 girls for 12th exam have filled their form from nation open school which includes 12 child brides. Vikalp is in practices for regularity in their studies.


Education centers for girls

“It is Study time, It is Meri Khushi time”

Fifty five girls filled their form for distance learning education board but they could not attend any coaching classes for their exams, as Vikalp is committed for betterment of girls and encourages girls for education, started education camp for girls where they can come, can present their issues, can get coaching and spend two hours for without being worried about household chores and disturbance of other family members and can pass through with good grades. Therefore, Vikalp started education centers in 3 villages which were Khartana, Falichada and Dev Ji Kheda where girls used to come along with their books and used to learn and read in order to get good grades in their exams.

Workshop with Girls on Education

Vikalp with support of Action aid organized two days’ workshop with those girls who filled their forms from distance learning education board. Workshop was organized in order to encourage girls for their studies and to motivate them towards study and education. In the workshop, girls were encouraged to have their own dreams and to have faith in their dreams, focus on education was also given. Girls were also informed about Vikalp Education centers. In these workshop total 30 girls took part.

Sports for empowerment

Sports is an way of empowering girls and eradicating fear regarding their body and it helps them to be confident about their body, it helps in improving health status of one’s. Sports plays essential role in developing leadership quality, confidence, coordination skill and decision making power in girls therefore, Vikalp has adopted innovative way of empowering girls through sports.

In order to empowering girls through sports, four volleyball team were formed in following villages Dev ji ka kheda, Khartana, Morth and Falichada villages. To encourage girls towards girls and appreciate their efforts one volleyball match was organized in Khartana village with the support of Action Aid and Beti Zindabad campaign in which Ms. Jigyasa, Program officer, Jaipur came to motivate girls towards sports.

Sports for empowerment is not only about encouraging girls to play but has more depth objective behind that, sports will motivate to come to the ground and it will develop negotiation power with all the obstructs which stop them coming to the ground. On ground also they will not only get chance to play but different kind of sessions such as session on confidence building, self-esteem, gender stereotypes, socialization, girls mobility, eve teasing, gender roles and importance of education.


We have right to play !!!!

Dropout girls also have right to play! Those girls who are in schools have aces to freedom of play in schools but what about those girls who have dropped out. They, never get chance to play, therefore under government scheme “Rayaka” dropout girls were also provided equal chance to play, for that matter 4 handball team from Falichada village and 5 volleyball team of adolescence girls formed and got chance to play matches at Gandhi Ground of Udaipur district. The match wasn’t organized to measure capacity of any team but was organized to encourage and motivate girls for play and engage them in play.

Capacity and Skill Building of girls

Workshop with leader of Adolescent’s group

Workshop with adolescent’s girls was organized in Udaipur city with the aim of bringing concept of girl friendly city, in the workshop innovative and creative ideas for making Udaipur as a girls friendly city campaign were invited. Group of girls suggested many good and innovative ideas to mobilize more girls and other stakeholders, like a SMS campaign, poster com=petitions in their own schools and conducting regular discussions in their own group meetings. Group of girls also came up with slogans in order to create safe and girl friendly city. They also shared the concept with another girls and helped to spread the concept.

International Girl child day

With the collaboration of “Apni Dikri ro haq Abhiyan, Government, Vikalp Sansthan celebrated international girl child day on 24th January to eliminate cases of child marriages in the area and to encourage girls towards education. On these day, Vikalp directory approached young girls and young boys in the school and explained them about causes of child marriages and to raise their voice against social evil practices such as child marriages, members of youth task force also participated in the process. Leaders group of girls also shared posters and pamphlet about child marriage and they also went to potential child marriage families and counselled about causes of child marriage and early marriages.

Hamara Bachpan Abhiyan :-

Hamara Bachpan Abhiyan was organized in I.S.D hall of Jaipur in partnership of Jaipur and Udaipur in which total 60 Non-profit organization participated from which 45 organizations were from Jaipur and 15 organizations were from Udaipur. Vikalp also participated in that event and Ms Usha and Ms Fency represented Vikalp at Jaipur Meeting. Main objective of the event was to introduce Hamara Bachpan Abhiyan, to inform about objective and strategy of campaign. The campaign was basically designed for slums of Jaipur and Udaipur by forming child clubs. Discussion was also held on making Jaipur and Udaipur as a child friendly city and girl friendly city.


Women Empowerment

There is a need of working with women as women are equal stake holder for nation development. Therefore, Vikalp has been addressing these issues since its beginning to bring peace and harmony in society.

Women’s collective meeting

Women’s collective was formed to accomplish vision of filling gender gap and bringing peace, harmony and equality in the society therefore, women’s group were formed in 15 villages in which different issues related to women were discussed and tried to bring solutions of the issues by adopting different innovative ways. We also discussed issues like physical violence, verbal abuse, and importance of education, different laws and schemes related to education, livelihood and health. In year 2014- 2015 total 88 such women’s meeting were conducted in Vikalp and total 1874 women participated and raised their voices against many issues related PDS, Water scarcity, Alcohol shops etc.

Meeting with Women Leaders:-

Meeting of women’s leader was organized on 28th July in Mavli block of Udaipur district with the objective of developing leadership quality in the women members. The training was organized in Terapath Bhavan of Mavli block in which women of 22 to 35 age group total 55 women of 5 panchayats and 10 village participated. Ms Usha and Mr Yogesh were resource person of the training. In the training focus was given issues related to women and how to eradicate such issues from women’s life.

The training was organized to provide information on cases of violence on women, girl’s education, and child marriage were the main issues for discussion. Focus was also given on reservation for women in Panchayati Raj and ensuring their participation in elections. During these session we came to know about women’s issues such as their husband’s drinks a lot


and under the influence of alcohol, they abuses their wife’s and use physical violence . In the meeting we also discussed about importance of education and emphasis on linking their daughters to school was given and they were encouraged and motivated to give better life to their daughters.

19th March, International women’s day

Vikalp considers women’s role essential in nation development and therefore, Vikalp has been working with women since its pre mature phase. In order to spread awareness regarding gender and violence, issues of women, importance of education and to take ownership of own life Vikalp organized event on 19th March, International women’s day under the project Muskati Betiyan with the support of Action aid India.

The event was took place in Kala Bhawan, sanwad in which approx. 300 women from Khartana, Morth, Falichada, Falichada, Sakroda, Vasani kala and many other villages participated. Issues related to Gender, Gender violence, different governmental schemes, MANREGA work, issues of young girls etc were discussed. Special schemes and benefits have planned for women, were shared in the event.

Shabnam Aziz from Jaipur, Regional officer of Action Aid Jaipur were played role of chief guest. Mr Mukesh Yogi, Police station officer, Surendra Singh, District officer of Mavli, Manju Verma– Director of Child Welfare Department, Udaipur, R.S. Dhakad– member of Child Welfare Department, Udaipur, Nilima Sharma– Swatantra Senani Sansthan, Udaipur were participated in the event.

Empowerment of Jan Pratinidhi (Women Representative) Program

One hundred and thirty women representatives are connected with Panchayat level women awareness groups we formed in Luni panchayat of Jodhpur district. Five hundred women are connected as members of Women Awareness platforms. Women panch-sarpanch


groups do lobbying of different issues at block level. Women representatives facilitate the approval of proposals for development of their panchayats. Girl’s education is also emphasized and women representatives are getting recognition in government office and among government officials.

Objectives of the Program:

o Develop Leadership in women representatives. o Develop understanding of Panchayat Raj system. o Ensure active participation of women in panchayat meetings. o Identification of issues and presenting them in gram sabha (village meetings). o Recognition of women’s organizations at the block level. o Formation of executive councils and lobbying of issues. o Strengthen and activate women panch-sarpanch groups.

Women Counseling and Safety Center

Vikalp is working with the government of Rajasthan to decrease gender-discrimination in children and violence against women. Vikalp is running a counseling and safety center for women in Naguar and Jodhpur to provide a safe place and legal help for women to remove themselves from situations of exploitation.. Women receive assistance to report their case to the police, obtain legal help, counseling, rehabilitation etc. Vikalp is collaborating with state police, the department of Women and Child Development, civil organizations, schools, colleges and Universities to operate these centers.

These centers in Naguar and Jodhpur were opened in April 2011, in conjunction with the Department of Women and Child Development and Rajasthan Police.

Work shop on scheme/act related to women safety

According to the guidelines of district collector, women rights department and women safety and counseling center jointly organized a one day workshop on scheme related to women safety. Yogesh and Usha from Vikalp have also participated in workshop.

The main objective of this workshop was to discuss the condition of women in the society and to inform them the about the laws. The discussion of workshop was focused on three main issues

o The dissuasion and grant scheme of women councelling and safety center o Prevention of women sexual harassment on workplace o Safety of women from domestic violence act 2005

Women rights officer Mrs. Anuradha, Collector Rajan vishal, Vikalp member Usha choudhary and many respected people from various departments have addressed the workshop and talked about different issues of women.


Case Study- “We cannot allow any kind of violence on any women”

Bheelo ki Dhani is one of the colony of Falichada Panchayat. Radha (Changed name) is a resident of Bheelo ki Dhani along with her two children and her husband Kishan. Her husband Kishan works as a labourer, but was also an alcoholic, Kishan used to spend his most of the time out of the house and used to beat his wife Radha and his children and under the effect of alcohol. These information reached to the Vikalp worker and she decided to discuss these topic in their monthly meeting. Vikalp worker reached to the field on very next day and called group of women to conduct meeting. All women reached to their decided place and welcomed worker of Vikalp.

Representative of Vikalp put this topic in the meeting and asked member of group about appropriate action which should be taken to save life of Radha and group of women decided to go and meet Kishan and talk about the issue.

That evening, group of women reached at Kishan’s house at his time of coming. Kishan saw group of women coming to his house which dried his mouth as he was aware about collective group of women and their work. He understood the situation. Group of women reached at his house and explained him about domestic violence prevention act and any act of physical violence can send him to the Jail for many years. These appalled Kishan and he promised group of women that he will never beat his wife and his children and will also give money to his wife to fulfill her daily expenses.

During follow-ups, Representative of Vikalp got to know that after that incident Kishan never got drunk and never abused his wife Radha and collective group of Bheelo ki Dhani still monitors Kishan. Now, Radha wears smile on her face.


Youth for Equality Vikalp’s dream is to make a violence-free society on the basis of equality, sympathy, peace and justice. We realized that the main reason behind violence against girls and women is the society’s attitude towards them. Only a change in attitude can change the behaviors of discrimination and violence against women, increase respect, and ensure their rights. With this thought, Vikalp started working in 15 villages of 5 panchayats of the Mavli block. Since its beginning, Vikalp has worked with men and boys. We think an equal society is possible only through working with both men and women. Sensitization of men must occur alongside empowerment of women. This year, we began a collaboration to work with men and boys with the Center for Health and Social Justice in Delhi. Fifteen villages of Mavli block were part of this program.

Vikalp has realized importance of engaging men in bringing change in society in its experience of over the years and therefore, Vikalp has been working with men and young boys of the society in order to bring gender equal, gender just and peaceful society in India. Vikalp has understood that if we want to change the scenario of society which is highly patriarchal than we need to work with other side of the world also. Engaging men and sensitizing them on women and girls issues will be helpful in demolishing discriminating and violating social norms.

It has ensured that social change can speed up by working with youths. Also, it is essential to change mentality of men for removal of cruel customs for girls and women. Change in attitude will make the change sustainable. Learning is that change emerged in the youths linked with the campaign. Therefore it has been decided at the campaign level that we will not only strengthen the adolescent girls and women groups but also need to strengthen the association of youths and men.

Vikalp has adopted various strategies to engage men in social change which are as below:-

Strengthening boys group

Vikalp has given importance on strengthening people’s collective and see them as a partner in the process of change, for that matter group of young boys formed to exchange information on various topics such as patriarchy, gender discrimination, gender violence, use of abusive words for girls and women, discrimination in behavior pattern for boys and girls in the house, we have focused on capacity building, leadership development, sexuality, family planning by using different innovative technique such as showing documentary films, conducting role plays, playing different games and taking sessions on different topics. Young boys were also shown films like Lajja in order to make them change maker of the society. In


2014 – 2015 total 284 meeting with young boys were conducted in which total 2191 young boys of 15 to 18 age group participated.

Strengthening youth’s group

Vikalp has understood potentials of youth and therefore, mechanism of including youth in bringing change in society. Vikalp has conducted various trainings with youth members of society. In year 2014-2015 total 199 meetings were organized with youth groups and total number of 1887 youth of 19 to 25 age group participated in meetings of Vikalp in which they were exposed to different social realities such as gender and gender discrimination, sexuality, different methods of contraceptives, leadership building and capacity building by organizing street plays, rallies, meetings, various workshops, trainings and audio visuals etc.

Capacity building training of Young volunteers

In Jodhpur, in order to stop child marriages in Rajasthan, Vikalp organized capacity building training with young volunteers of Jodhpur district for one day on auspicious day, in which 30 volunteers of 20 villages participated. Main aim of meeting was to make young boys aware about child marriage and evil effect of child marriage and volunteers were encouraged for counselling of families, informing them about child marriage prevention law, organizing rallies, informing government officials and police officers about child marriage, participating in meetings which will be organized with government.

Badhate Kadam Abhiyan – 11 to 18 September

During the discussion with young boys, it got revealed that most of the girls can’t reach to the 10th class and more than 80% of girls becomes survival of early child marriage which is a clear reflection of gender discrimination which is prevailing in our society and such issues


prevents girls form chasing their dreams and prepares them as a dependent individual and thus, they have to face physical violence. Hence, we organized campaign named “Badhte Kadam” from 11th September to 18th September 2014 with the aim of encouraging community and society to provide equal opportunity for education and career, conveying love and respect to girls and awareness regarding ending ritual of child marriage in community. In “Badhte Kadam” we included as many as Badhate Kadam (mounting for steps) of young boys to raise voice against discriminative attitude of society toward girls in their neighborhood. Under Badhate Kadam campaign young volunteers presented street play in 15 schools, conducted discussion as per street play, interface program with young girls and young boys, organized rally, meetings with community, burning social evil issues, slogan writing, flaming mashal etc were organized with the program. Through “Badhate Kadam Abhiyan, Vikalp could reach to total 1038 women, 335 men, 1175 youth, 1080 adolescence girls, 1500 adolescence boys, 5 Panchayats, 15 Aganwadis, 352 different stake holders, 17 educational institute, 5 health centers and we contacted 2110 families. In total we could reach to the 14000 people.

Workshop with youth on Gender and Sexuality

On 27th to 30th December, workshop of 4 days was organized on Gender and Sexuality with youth at Mount Abu in which 22 youth of Mavli field participated in which Rituparna, Purnima and Shruti from Nirantar were played role of resource person in workshop. The workshop has main objective of imparting information on sexuality and increasing understanding of youth on sexuality along with educating youth about their sexual rights, different kind of sexualities and patriarchy were the main objective.

Case stories- Let’s eliminate caste discrimination

“Let’s start with me, it will make we”

The story is about change mindset of one person to one family and that’s how Vikalp sees chain of change. If one person or one family will bring change in the entire scenario of that area and will have positive impact on overall situation of country. Shakti Singh active animator of Vikalp got inspired by work of Vikalp and his association with Vikalp has changed his mind set and he went beyond gender and cast discriminatory rituals of society.

At the time of “Badhate Kadam” campaign, Vikalp team decided for village stay and conduct program till late night in Falichada village which was village of Shakti Singh. Shakti Singh wanted to make the Vikalp team guest of his house but he was aware about his family and their thinking that being from Rajput cast, they can invite other cast (SC and ST cast) at their home as it is socially inappropriate , therefore he could not invited the team at his house. Next day, Vikalp team reached to the Falichada village and conducted various program such as Rally, Street program, Village meeting etc at Falichada village and also touched issue of cast and gender based discrimination, in which Shakti Singh also participated and Shakti Singh also talked about cast based discrimination. In a result of the, Shakti Singh’s family invited Vikalp team to stay and to have food with them, which spread happiness amongst the team and on Shakti Singh’s face also.


Other Activities 16 days campaign against violence against women

This year, the 16 Days Campaign was organized “Against the Gender Based Violence”. The campaign started on November 25- 'International Day for Prevention of Women from Violence' and ended on December 10– 'International Human Rights Day'.

Different programs like street plays, night shows, community discussions, slogan writing, and group meetings were organized. This campaign covered 16 villages of 9 panchayats of Mavli block and 10 colonies of Udaipur. A total of 34 shows of street plays were held, dialogue with students in 20 schools was organized, and 15 group meeting were organized which involved a total of 5000 people. Child marriage, domestic violence, discrimination of women and girls, decreasing sex ratio and community responsibility were discussed in the campaign. People took an oath at the end of each program to improve the situation.

Under Our Daughter’s Right Campaign “My felicity”– ‘My Marriage Not Now, Child Marriage Never' programme was organized for youths and adolescent girls at the panchayat level in Bilada block of Jodhpur district. 'Child Marriage Free village' posters were pasted in the panchayat, Anganwadi and schools.

Under the 'Smiling Daughters Programme and Youth For Equality' program, we organized different activities including a convention, rally, candle march, signature campaign, meetings with youths and adolescent girls, panchayat meetings, etc. in 15 villages of Mavli block of Udaipur district. The campaign’s objective was to “eliminate violence against women and girls; bring equality, promote girl child education and stop child marriage”.

Around 1200 persons participated in the campaign and spread the messages– 'Say NO to any type of violence against the women and girls in any condition', 'Daughters have right to read-write, play games and live life with dignity' to around 15000 people.


Child Marriage free Panchayat

Vikalp Sansthan with the support of Unicef organized “Apani Dikari Ro Haq Abhiyan" (Our Daughter's Right Campaign) in 40 villages of Bilada block of Jodhpur District. A campaign was organized to eliminate child marriages from the society, therefore resolutions for making child marriage free panchayat with the support of local Panchayat members, Volunteers and different government stake holders were passed and focus on linking girls to the education was given.

In order to eliminate child marriages, various activities were conducted such as community and Panchayat interface including representatives of cast, PRI members, teachers, local volunteers, social workers, Aganwadi worker, Pracheta ( Representative of women empowerment department), police, local government officers, youth of the panchayat, women and adolescence girls group was organized.

In response of that, 22 villages of 10 Panchayat were announced as a child marriage free villages and Panchayats which indicates that in last one year, there have been complete change in the scenario of child marriage and there haven’t occurred any child marriage in last one year and significant change in education status was also observed. There was increased cases of girls reconnecting with schools and there was decreased cases of girls school dropouts. Awareness regarding importance of education in girl’s life has increased amongst parents, relatives and cast leaders, total 1500 people participated in “Child Marriage free Panchayat” campaign.

Awareness Rally on ending child marriage

“Bal Vivah Bandh karo, Bandh karo – Balika siksha ko Badhava do, Badhava do”

Child marriage is a social evil practice, which impacts not only life of girls but overall eco system, therefore there is strong need of ending such practices. Vikalp organized Rally to spread awareness regarding child marriage, effects of child marriage on girls and encouraging community to linking girls with education.

In these rally 48 Aganwadi worker of Women and Child welfare department, 20 girls and 12 young boys of Young Task force team with slogans of “Bal Vivah Bandh Karo, Bandh Karo – Balika Siksha ko Badhava do, Badhava do” and “Har beti ka Adhikar mile Siksha, Sanman and Adhikar” etc participated. Rally was started under the leadership of district officer.

The rally took its first step at main crossroad of Pipad city and ended at State hospital. In rally information of schemes and benefits related to girls, laws related to girls and contact details of child marriage preventing officers were provided. These awareness rally spread awareness regarding girls rights and laws for preventing child marriage amongst 15000 people.

With, different efforts of Vikalp Sansthan 225 child marriages were prevented with the help of PRI members, different stake holders of government and active volunteers of Vikalp Sansthan.


Other contribution and participation

Girls' Summit 2014, London

The government of United Kingdom (UK) and UNICEF collaboratively organized the first Girls' Summit on July 22, 2014 with the core objective to eliminate Child Marriage and Forceful marriage in the world. More than 700 people from 50 countries participated in the summit, including Prime Ministers, Ministers, senior officers, social workers, activists, researchers, Funding Agencies, Young Girls activist.

While inaugurating the Girls' Summit 2014 the British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his views that the government are committed to eliminating the traditions promote violence against girls and we request that all the governments of the World sign the International Treaty to eliminate Child Marriage and Forceful marriage.

Pakistani advocate for women’s education, Malala Yusufjai (Noble laureate) said in her speech that education is the biggest tool to eliminate such evils. Girls should enroll in schools and obtain better education to eliminate child marriage.

Ms. Usha Choudhary, Secretary and Program Director of Vikalp Sansthan shared that governments of all countries in the world should commit to eliminate child marriage by the end of 2030 in any condition. Social organizations will work together to give pace to the work at their own level, encourage girl child education, empower girls and end violence against women and girl’s, and will do advocacy work with their government and campaigns.

Meeting with Malala

On the occasion of Girls' Summit,( Lodnon) Ms. Usha met personally with legend Ms. Malala. Ms. Malala informed her about her planned visit to India in 2015 and her plans to meet girls at different places throughout the country. Malala shared that she will work for girl's education throughout her life.


GNB Planning Meeting

Girls Not Brides : The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage (GNB) has organized a planning meeting with 45 member organizations' representatives from 29 countries on July 23, 2014. During this meeting all members have discussed the strategy to work with government to end child marriage in their respective countries. Ms. Usha Choudhary, Secretary Vikalp Sansthan participated in this meeting.

Workshop on Theory of Change

Girls Not Brides network organized a 2 day workshop on 26-27 January 2015 on “Theory of Change” in London. Mr. Yogesh, co-founder member of Vikalp participated.

No Seiling, Full Participation Program

No Seiling , Full Participation program was organized jointly by Clinton Foundation and Bill Gates Foundation in New York. More than 1100 people from all over the world were participated. On this occasion of International Women’s Day a report on works done for participation of women in development and equality in last 20 years was released on 9th March 2015.


Mr. Yogesh and Ms. Usha Choudhary, co-founders of Vikalp participated in this event. Ms. Usha gave a talk on efforts done for empowerment of women and stop child marriage. and Mr. Yogesh also shared his experience of work done to stop child marriage and violence against women.

MenEngage Global Symposium

MenEngage forum has organized a Global Symposium in Delhi from 5 to 11 December 2014. Organisation’s from all over the world working on gender justice gathered and shared their programs and experiences in this symposium.

During this symposium AJWS and GreeneWorks has organized a panel discussion on Child Marriage and the Engagement of Men and Boys for Gender Equality, where Mr. Yogesh has shared Vikalp's strategy to work with boys and men.

International Platform

On March 3rd, 2015 at International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) headquarters, Washington DC has organized a discussion on End Child Marriage and Role of Men in collaboration of GreeneWorks, Promundo and AJWS. Mr. Yogesh has presented Vikalp's works and experiences on this platform.

The International Conference on Masculinities

Mr. Yogesh Vaishnav, Co-founder of Vikalp has represented Vikalp in The International Conference on Masculinities : Engaging Men and Boys for Gender Equality from 5th to 8th March, 2015 in New York and shared Vikalp's experience of working with men and boys to end child marriage and gender equality on two panels.

NGO CSW Forum, 2015

Mr. Yogesh Vaishnav, Co-founder of Vikalp has represented Vikalp in panel discussion on "Men, Masculinity and Child Marriage : Regional Perspectives on the Roles of Men" in CSW (Commission on the Status of Women) on 11th March, 2015 in New York. This discussion was organized by GNB, Promundo, Care, GreeneWorks and AJWS.


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