“Ab Aur Nahin” – referring to ‘no more inequality for our girl child’ – was the theme of the campaign which community leaders of Smile Foundation carried out in New Delhi. These leaders were girls chosen from different urban slum communities of Delhi city where Smile Foundation is running its Swabhiman programme empowering girl child.

The campaign included street play and signature drive and held at Dilli Haat, a popular open air hangout place in the heart of Delhi and promoted by Delhi Tourism.

All the community leaders who led and formed in the campaign were once suppressed in their milieu where they are less fortunate than their male counterpart since birth; be it in getting education, societal equity or gender discrimination at home. Hundreds like them are now not only aware and empowered but also championing the cause. The campaign is based on the principle that positive male involvement and cooperation is necessary is necessary in ensuring dignity and equality of the girl child at each strata of our society.

The street play under the campaign clearly depicted how a girl child suffers hardships in her life due to lack of education and proper care. She is dependent on her male counterpart and the moment he dies, her hardships increase to what she was already suffering. The prime focus of the protagonist was life with lack of proper education.

It was a confident and dignified performance, adolescent girls communicating the urgency of giving due place to their counterparts across various sections of the society. Many educated and sensitized citizens, both men and women, also participated and encouraged the campaign actively.

But does the act stop here?

No. It went beyond as we believe, women empowerment cannot be brought in isolation. That’s how the idea of male involvement emerged. The performance was strengthened and the message was strong----

“Let us educate our girl child; they will help build our future!”

PRAGYA TV, a lifestyle channel catering mainly to non-resident Indians, was the exclusive media partner of the campaign.

It would be inspiring for all of us, across gender and class, to lend a helping hand to our girl child. it would be a better place to live in.