The Fight for Education
As a privileged girl, living a privileged life in the 21st Century, NOT going to school or college is not even an option!
Occasionally, our media applauds families that send their girls to schools; more often than not some organisations, celebrities and NGOs will try to emphasize on how dire the situation is for girl child education.
Back when I was in school,I studied Human Geography that had me convinced that education for girls is important. It not only opens economic opportunities, enhances children’s health and breakdowns social barriers. But education is one of the most powerful tools we have to empower women; and as a result lift up entire communities and eventually the nation.
I knew it all. I believed it all. But what was completely beyond me was the fact that people, particularly parents and brothers, who we deem fit to be protectors, refuse girls an education. Vehemently so.
Komal’s journey to Vivek Vihar ITI is one such example of immense personal strength and struggle.
‘What will you do by studying? What will you do with an education?’ Her older brother kept asking these questions. Komal’s father who also studied from an ITI tried to convince Komal a little like this: ‘They do not teach you anything there. You will not learn anything. You will waste your time’’.
But it was Komal’s mother who had always supported her decision to study further and together they were able to convinced her father to help her get admission in COPA division (Computer Operator & Programming Assistant) at Vivek Vihar ITI.
Komal has been part of this course for a few months and is progressing well. But that has not stopped her brother from expecting her to ‘fulfill her duties as a girl’. ‘You should stay at home and contribute to the household chores’. He keeps insisting her place is in the house. Komal though has always maintained her stand.
‘No! If I want to study then I want to study’.
In the same class you will find Simran — oldest child and first in her family to graduate from high school. Although it is hardly seen as a matter of pride in her family. She says absolutely no one in her family supports her pursuit for an education and more often than not she wishes she had an older sibling that could have guided her better. Simran is on this path right now with the help of a friend, who has previously been through an ITI program. This friend has helped her get information about ITI, the courses available, fees etc.
It was with her friend’s guidance that she was able to apply, and get admission at COPA, Vivek Vihar. Her family does not seem to have any care for what she does but Simran is proud of herself and wishes to continue to excel, stand on her own two feet in the big city — Delhi. She tells the girls in her class, who are come from similar circumstances ‘that motivation is something we find within ourselves and from watching other brave people we learn that we should never feel defeated. And if we dream of anything then it is our responsibility to accomplish it’.
Chandra Rani — Queen of the Moon (literal translation from Hindi) has a very different motive for being at the Vivek Vhar ITI. With an ailing mother and a father struggling to make ends meet, Chandra sees education as the only way to change her situation. Despite Chandra’s clarity in her vision for her own future, her father usually contradicts her by saying things like ‘Your mother is unwell…stay at home and look after her’.
Chandra’s biggest support is her tuition teacher who helped convince Chandra’s father to send her to ITI. She also helped Chadra decide on which courses to choose. Chandra’s advice to girls is simple. She asks girls to seek support from those who understand the value of education and can support in terms of advice. ‘My advice to everyone is that if there is no one to support you at home then please find someone else and connect with someone who can support you, guide you properly and can talk to your parents.’
But why should someone need to seek support to learn?
All of this makes me angry; because something we take so for granted is not possible for many girls. It makes me angry that some people within society have declared themselves the authority on who should be allowed an education and who should not be. As Komal said in her interview ‘A brother or someone else needs to understand that one is willing to study so should let them study. They should not refuse someone an education.’
We are living in times when there is regressing attitude about equality and a widespread movement for social change. Here is our opportunity to make a change. Girls like Komal Chandra and Simran are doing their part and we need to do ours! Let’s Support and create opportunities for girls and women around the world to help them claim their right to education.
