Ensuring That Millions of Girls In India Can Finish School

Growing up in Rajasthan, India, Rise Up Leader Poonam Jonwal saw firsthand how girls’ futures were often cut short — by early marriage, harassment, and above all, by the simple denial of an education. As one of five sisters in a large family, she witnessed the barriers girls faced to stay in school. “I realized that education is the key for girls to escape social evils,” Poonam told Rise Up. “But I wasn’t ready to lead yet — I was hesitant, unsure how to step into a leadership role.” That reluctance changed when Poonam joined Rise Up’s Leadership Accelerator. Selected through a rigorous process, she gained new tools — policy analysis, advocacy strategy development, leadership skills, project design, and more.

With Rise Up’s funding and support, Poonam developed a strategic plan to solve a major obstacle keeping girls out of the classroom: school fees. Although free education for all children in India is guaranteed by law, school fees often prevent girls from finishing school. Poonam worked tirelessly to ensure that girls could complete their education. Through coordination with key stakeholders, she led efforts to establish a statewide education complaints board to resolve issues affecting students’ access to quality education. This government-mandated body is made up of child rights officials, government representatives, parents, teachers, and community representatives — all tasked with investigating challenges facing students and families such as illegal school fees, poor sanitation, and gender discrimination, and taking concrete actions to fix them. Because of Poonam’s efforts, nearly 10 million students across Rajasthan can now attend school and receive the education they deserve. This model doesn’t just remove barriers to education — it puts girls at the center of change. Through Poonam’s leadership, girls are now active members of School Management Committees, effectively advocating for clean and safe bathrooms, regular sanitary pad distribution, better sports facilities, and more women teachers.

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