ABHAYA

Empowering Adolescent Girls: Project Abhaya

Project Abhaya stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for adolescent girls, addressing the critical need to reduce the alarming school dropout rates among girls. With a focus on addressing safety concerns, boosting confidence, and increasing awareness, Project Abhaya aims to reverse the concerning statistics reported by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry: a 17.3% dropout rate at the secondary level and 4.74% at the elementary level in 2018-19. Understanding the challenges of the 21st century, our project is dedicated to equipping young girls with the essential skills and knowledge to confidently and resiliently face the future.

The core of Project Abhaya lies in its comprehensive workshop series, each meticulously designed to address crucial aspects of an adolescent girl's development. These workshops include self-defense training, empowering girls with the skills to protect themselves and enhancing their sense of security. Equally important is our focus on cyber safety, where we educate them about the responsible and safe use of digital technologies. These areas are pivotal in ensuring that girls not only feel secure in their immediate environment but are also well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the digital world.

At the heart of Project Abhaya is our commitment to fostering a nurturing environment where girls can excel academically, socially, and emotionally. We firmly believe in the transformative power of education and skill development. By investing in the holistic growth of young girls, Project Abhaya aspires to cultivate a generation of empowered, resilient, and successful young women, ready to take on the world. Join us in this mission to empower and uplift the future pillars of our society

Activities

• Self-Defense Training: The self-defense training workshop is the cornerstone of our initiative at ARCH. Operating in Gadag and Kolar, Karnataka, we have established two fully equipped training clubs focusing on Mixed Martial Arts and self-defense. These workshops are not just about physical strength but also about instilling confidence and a sense of security in adolescent girls. In today’s world, where personal safety is a growing concern, this training equips them with essential skills to protect themselves in challenging situations.
  

• Workshops on Cyber Safety: Our cyber safety workshops address the increasing need for digital awareness in the modern age. As internet usage becomes ubiquitous, it's crucial for adolescent girls to navigate online spaces safely. These workshops educate them about online privacy, cyberbullying, and responsible internet behaviors, ensuring they are well-equipped to face the digital world's challenges.
  

• Workshop on Constitutional Rights: Understanding one’s rights is fundamental in today’s society. Our workshop on constitutional rights aims to educate girls about their legal rights and protections. This knowledge empowers them to be aware citizens, capable of advocating for themselves and others, and contributes to building a just and equitable society.
  

• Workshop on Social Etiquettes and Grace: In a world where first impressions and social interactions are pivotal, our workshop on social etiquettes and grace plays a crucial role. This workshop helps girls develop poise, confidence, and proper etiquette, skills that are essential for personal and professional success in the 21st century.
  

• Workshop on Menstrual Health Management: Addressing a traditionally taboo subject, our workshop on menstrual health management is vital for adolescent girls. It provides essential knowledge about menstrual hygiene and health, breaking down myths and stigma. This understanding is crucial for their physical well-being, self-esteem, and participation in daily activities without hindrance.
  

• Workshop on Financial Literacy: Financial literacy is key to empowering girls to become independent and savvy individuals. Our workshop teaches them the basics of financial management, savings, and investment. This knowledge is pivotal in a rapidly evolving economic landscape, ensuring they are prepared to make informed financial decisions in their personal and professional lives. At ARCH, we believe in the holistic development of adolescent girls, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic world. Join us in nurturing a future where girls are confident, informed, and empowered leaders.
  

Alignment with SDGs

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

These workshops align with several SDGs, notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By addressing these areas, ARCH is committed to creating a more equitable, informed, and healthy future for adolescent girls.

Endorsements

Priyanka Rathod Teacher, Diwan Dhanjishaw High School

"As a teacher at Diwan Dhanjishaw High School, I witnessed the positive impact of the self-defence training provided to the female students under Project Abhaya. This initiative holds immense significance as it empowers girls to become independent, confident, and capable of protecting themselves. By equipping them with self-defence skills, we aim to foster a sense of self-reliance and instil the belief that they have the right to live safely and fearlessly. Project Abhaya has provided a valuable opportunity for our students to develop the necessary tools to navigate their surroundings with confidence, ensuring their personal safety remains a priority."

Patel Janvi, B.Ed College Bharuch

"Self-defence training sessions were organized at our college campus. It was a valuable experience where we received guidance on self-defence techniques. We are hopeful that we will have the opportunity to attend more such session in the future. Learning these techniques has given us a sense of empowerment, and we believe they will be useful in challenging situations. Thank you to our college for organizing this training."

Parmar Prachi A., S.Y; B. Ed.- Bharuch

"I attended a training today on social grace and etiquettes in my college. In this training I got to learn about basic etiquettes and behavior should have, how to answer such questions during the interview and many more about which I had no idea earlier that such things matter. This training and regarding information that I have got will take me a long way ahead in future with confidence.”

Vasava Dishaben J., Std: 12th, Diwan Dhanji High School

"The session on MHM was highly beneficial for me, as I acquired a wealth of new information on various topics. It taught me not to fear the menstrual cycle and to take necessary precautions. The trainer cleared my superstitions and answered many of my questions."

Falguniben Vasava, SY B.Ed DIET, Bharuch

"This session on MHM was incredibly fulfilling. Despite thinking I knew about menstruation, the trainer provided us with an in-depth understanding of what happens internally in our bodies during menstruation. I also gained knowledge about menstrual cups, UTIs, and other related topics."

Divavala Drishti M, First year, B. Ed. College- Bharuch

“I have been using smart phones for a long time but I was not aware about all the cybercrimes like hacking, morphing, bullying, etc. This training gave us all an in depth knowledge about how we can stay safe online. Now I think that using a smart phone does not make you smart but knowing smart information about it can make you smart. And through this training I have become very smart and for that I am very thankful to Bostik India Pvt Ltd and ARCH Development Foundation that they conducted such training with us. We request you to arrange many more such trainings for us, which will be beneficial for us.”

Modi Shivangini Dharmendrakumar, B.Ed College, Bharuch.

"In the financial literacy session, we learned about different types of bank accounts, such as saving accounts and the functioning of the banking sector. Additionally, we gained valuable information about loans. The session provided us with a brief knowledge of finance-related topics, including insurance, the stock market, and mutual funds, through insightful examples."

Mahant Vrunda Shaileshkumar, Std – 11th,Diwan Dhanji High School - Bharuch

“In this training I got to learn about having Constitutional Rights for being an Indian Citizen. I came across different rights and very systematic way of introduction to Fundamental rights and Right to equality for men and women. And I feel is this information is not just for now as I’m studying but also very useful for the lifetime.”