CRY's Campaign to Help get the Girl Child Back to School

SINGAPORE and DUBAI, UAE, March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

It Will Ensure 1,21,000 Girl Children Across India Access Schools and Finish Their Education 

In the village Bansipur of district Munger in the eastern state of Bihar in India, Julie Kumari has become a household name. Despite the nearest college being two hours away, Julie has defied odds to be the first in her village to attend college. While Julie had always dreamt of becoming a doctor, her hopes plummeted as her parents decided to get her married while she was studying in class IX. While she made her resolve to study further, such resistance was unheard of in this extremely poor and backward village. It is at this point, that CRY-supported project DishaVihar intervened and after persistent counseling, Julie's parents decided to call off the wedding. Julie's unwavering participation in the project's Children's collective also empowered her to stand up for herself. Julie, today, has not just finished her schooling but is attending college, a step closer to her dreams of becoming a doctor.

While there are many other stories of change like Julie's, millions of girls in India still face hurdles in accessing and finishing their education which include discrimination due to gender bias, early marriage, child labour, lack of secondary schools and girls' toilets. 1 in every 5 girls enrolled in schools in India drops out after class 8. A shocking 25.6 million girls in the age group of 14-18 do not go to school.

CRY's campaign 'Right to School' will ensure that 1,21,000 girl children across India are able to overcome these hurdles and finish their education. CRY mobilizes communities, works with local authorities to ensure schools are compliant with the Right to Education Act, works towards access to secondary schools and lobby for schools where they aren't available.

Susan Varghese, Head, Global Operations, CRY, said, "Girl children, if given proper education, can bring about a cycle of positive change. They are empowered to stand up against abuse and early marriage, stay away from child labour and go on to become strong independent members of the society. They transform not just their families, but influence change for entire communities."

Supporting the CRY campaign, 'Right to School' will help ensure girl children have access to schools and finish their schooling. Know more at http://www.cry.org.

For further information, contact:
Susan Varghese
+91-9818605343
susan.v@crymail.org