Empower Young Women to be Leaders, India

February and March were busy months for WEP Leadership Academy students in Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Hyderabad.

Students at  the Madurai Center were offered courses  in Tally and Advanced Tally (business acounting software) they participated  in sessions on topics including a current affairs class on  fundimental rights, Adolescents: communication and relationsips, the neuroscience of happiness, dealing constructively with criticism, and mental health post COVID19.  They attended a workshop on Women and Society, which included information on cyber saftey.

Students also  honed their leadership skills planning and conductiong club meetings for the Technology, Financial, Language, and Dance and Sport clubs. 

At the Ramanathapuram Academy, Students participated in classes on spoken English and  civics. 

Students from the Madurai and Ramanathapuram Academies came together for an in person celebration of  Annual Day - a special tradition of the Madurai Academy. They participated in a joyous celebration of song, dance, games and speakers on topics of Women's Empowerment- including alumnae returning to share their expereinces. 

In Hyderabad, Students have been maintaining active book clubs in 10 different villages, and they  they participated in storytelling sessions on World Sparrow day, World Water Day, and International Women's Day. 

They have continued their cycling project-  riding a bicycle daily from the academy to their homes- they've also been teaching other village girls to cycle- and sharing their knowledge of the benefits of cycling to their health and the environment with village boys as well! 

42 Hyderabad students are now cultivating home gardens of pesticid- free vegatables, fruit, flowers and medicinal plants. They have been stydying pollinators, natural pest control methods, and composting, adding to the success of their efforts. 5 students from the program are also rearing chickens- which, along with the gardens have become  good micro businesses for them and their families.  

In March, Hyderabad students participated in sessions on womens reproductive health, ocupational therapy and physical therapy, which ended with a visit to a local hospital.  They completed community mapping activities, identifying essential services and learning about volunteerism and creating community solutions. They also  participated in sessions on facing critical situations, and making the right decisions. 

To celebrate International Womens Day, among other activities,  Hyderabad students spoke to their own parents about Gender Equality. K., an intermediate 1st year student, shared that she spoke to her mother about equality between the genders, and convinced her mom that she is not interested in early marriage, and wants to study and work.