The Transformative Change Brought by Life Skills Sessions

We often hear the phrase, "Educate a girl, and you empower a nation." But education should not be confined to textbooks-it must guide her in every aspect of life, only then can she be truly empowered.

Thanks to the life skills sessions, we expanded our program last year to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar through a powerful collaboration between EmpowHER Foundation, Endurance, and Sevak Trust. Over the past year, we've witnessed incredible transformation-not just among the girls, but across the entire community. What began as a journey of empowerment has now become a model for collective change.

In the beginning, the girls participating in the SETU program often displayed fear, lack of confidence, and hesitation in decision-making. Over time, these same girls transformed into determined, aware, and responsible individuals. They began to ask themselves important questions like, "Who am I?", "What do my feelings say?", "What are my rights?"-and worked to find answers. They identified their own shortcomings and learned to overcome them.

They developed emotional regulation and empathy, which not only enriched their emotional understanding but also significantly improved their communication skills. They learned to manage stress, differentiate between healthy and toxic relationships, and plan their time effectively to achieve their goals-becoming more self-reliant in the process.
Their ability to think creatively and critically, solve problems, make informed decisions, and manage time prepared them to face real-life challenges with readiness.

During this sensitive phase of adolescence, they also learned the importance of a balanced diet and began incorporating it into their daily meals. They openly discussed and understood physical and emotional changes, menstrual hygiene, and anaemia, fostering a culture of awareness and openness.

Importantly, topics like safe vs unsafe touch, sexual abuse, self-protection, and the consequences of child marriage were addressed with sensitivity and openness, helping girls find their voice. These weren't just lessons taught—they became aware.

The sessions also created awareness about financial literacy, educational and career opportunities, and the right to choose between marriage and continuing education. Some girls have now set clear goals for their future-not just conventional ones like becoming doctors, lawyers, or teachers, but choosing career paths aligned with their true interests and dreams.

Parents played a crucial role in this change too. Through sessions like "Understanding Adolescence," parents were encouraged to become more empathetic and supportive of their daughters-not just authoritative figures, but companions. They were guided towards the right perspective on issues like child marriage, physical changes, and safety.

These weren't just informative sessions—they were journeys of inspiration. The girls learned to believe in themselves, found their place in society, and are now becoming changemakers in their villages. They showcased their growth through group project presentations and even succeeded in getting a resolution passed in the Gram Sabha (village council) advocating for the rights of women and girls.

Such life skills sessions under the SETU program are now more crucial than ever, as adolescence is a highly sensitive and formative stage. If guided in the right direction at this time, girls don't just shape their own futures-they become beacons of hope for others.

And if you ask us why life skills education, especially for adolescent girls, is so important, it is because -

Adolescence is not just about physical changes; it's also a phase of emotional, mental, and social development. The right guidance during this period empowers girls to transform not only their own lives but also uplift their communities.

Through life skills training, they become self-reliant, aware of their rights, and ready to stand up for themselves. Such empowered girls are more likely to take responsible roles in education, career, health, and family life.

Thanks to the efforts of EmpowHER Foundation and Endurance, the confidence now glowing on these girls' faces reflects the powerful change that's begun-and it's only growing stronger with every step they take.

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