.jpg)
Child Rights and You (CRY) has launched its latest initiative, ‘Girl Interrupted,’ as part of the broader Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai campaign. The new phase focuses on one of India’s most pressing challenges: the disruption of girls’ education, especially at the secondary level.
The ‘Girl Interrupted’ campaign brings to light the difficult realities faced by millions of young girls in India, whose education is frequently interrupted due to societal expectations, financial difficulties, and gender bias. These disruptions not only restrict their personal growth but also impede the country’s social and economic development.
Creative Concept and Vision
The campaign uses striking visuals and powerful storytelling to highlight the far-reaching consequences of interruptions to girls’ education. By employing compelling images, thought-provoking videos, and nationwide awareness initiatives, ‘Girl Interrupted’ aims to raise awareness about the long-term impact of these educational disruptions on both individual lives and the future of India as a whole.
Tista Sen, the creative director behind the campaign, commented: "This project is deeply personal to me. As a nation, we are losing out by allowing girls' education to be interrupted. We need to confront this issue head-on. Our goal is to challenge apathy and advocate for a basic right that is crucial for the future of women and the country."
Puja Marwaha, CEO of CRY, also spoke about the success of the first phase of Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai, which aimed to ensure that girls complete their education. "When girls finish school, the entire nation benefits. Our efforts focused on engaging all key stakeholders to make sure that the importance of girls' education was not overlooked," she said.
In the first three months of the campaign, CRY managed to secure the enrolment of 190,060 girls across 5,093 villages and slums. The initiative also saw 886 Gram Panchayats pledge to support girls' education, and 1,768 villages celebrated girls who successfully completed their 10th and 12th exams. Furthermore, 207,906 signatures were collected as part of the nationwide campaign to show solidarity with the cause.
Key Campaign Activities
- Social Media Engagement: Creative visuals and narratives that showcase how interruptions in girls' education affect their lives and the nation’s progress.
- The ‘Girl Interrupted’ Film: A powerful film designed to raise awareness of the importance of uninterrupted education for girls.
- Public Awareness Initiatives: Eye-catching posters displayed in metro trains across Mumbai and southern India, along with community walks in South India and Pune to spread awareness and encourage local support.
Campaign Execution
Running from December 2024 to January 2025, the ‘Girl Interrupted’ campaign aims to spark a national conversation on the importance of uninterrupted secondary education for girls and inspire collective action across the country to address this critical issue.
