Women Helping Women Challenge Patriarchy
Like 19-year-old Prem, many Rajasthani women want to study, but they come from poor families and are forced to drop out of school. They lack confidence, often not being allowed to leave home, or are too afraid to go outside and experience the outside world. Girls are not taught how to advocate for themselves.
Prem studied at the Shakti Empowerment Center, where she learned embroidery and sewing, how to set up a business, and much more
"In the workshops every Wednesday, we [learned] a lot too, especially regarding health-related problems. Thus, women come to know about their own health issues and how to deal with them."
Students also have classes in Hindi, English, math, and self-defense. Through this holistic education, women and girls learn self-reliance.
The women are part of a sisterhood of support that is essential when you are defying patriarchal norms.
“We are also making other women aware of injustices and encourage them to fight against them - thus, we are good examples for others.”
"I want to thank all the people in Shakti Empowerment Center because women are now living their lives with pride and self-confidence. Women are raising their voices when they experience injustice in their own lives and in the broader community."