New Delhi, August 17, 2023: Educate Girls, a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to advancing girls' education in rural India, made a significant impact by organizing a plantation drive to commemorate International Youth Day on August 12, 2023. Spearheaded by their dedicated team of community volunteers, known as Team Balika, the initiative's theme, ‘Ek Pedh Balika Shiksha ke Liye’ (A Tree for Girls' Education), harmonized seamlessly with this year's overarching theme, "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World."
The plantation drive witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 4,700 Team Balika members who planted more than 6,000 tree saplings across the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Beyond emphasizing the value of girls' education, Educate Girls' initiative aimed to shine a spotlight on the role education plays in fostering sustainability and addressing climate change.
The event encompassed more than tree planting; it also encompassed enlightening sessions on the significance of green practices, encouraging sustainable behavior within local communities. The drive aimed to raise awareness among young individuals about the fragility of the environment and the pivotal part they hold in its conservation.
"Our “Ek Pedh Balika Shiksha ke Liye” initiative goes beyond the act of planting trees. It aims to instil environmental sensitivity in young people, promote green skills and draw attention to how education and sustainability are interdependent. Our Team Balika firmly believes that an educated girl signifies more than just an empowered individual; she is a catalyst for positive transformation within her community and the world at large," stated Vikram Singh Solanki, Head of Field Operations, Educate Girls. “Embracing the profound theme of “Green Skills For Youth” on this year's International Youth Day, this drive strongly resonates with our commitment to driving change, as we collectively contribute to a better world for generations ahead," he further added.
Sunita Devi, Team Balika, Prayagraj District, shared her motivation for the initiative “Every individual has a duty to plant a tree in their life and take care of it. By planting trees in larger numbers, we can conserve the environment. Due to continuous deforestation, environmental pollution is increasing. Through this initiative, we will create awareness in society for both girls’ education and a greener future."
The "Ek Pedh Balika Shiksha ke Liye" initiative accentuates the unequivocal connection between girls' education and the promotion of sustainability and climate change mitigation. Educated girls emerge as potent catalysts in addressing these challenges. Equipped with quality education, they gain the ability to drive innovation and advocate for eco-friendly practices, thus becoming agents of transformation within their communities.
Educate Girls, established by visionary leader Safeena Husain in 2007, continues its remarkable journey of bridging the gender gap and galvanizing communities for girls' education in India's rural and educationally disadvantaged regions. Working collaboratively with the government, Educate Girls operates across more than 21,000 villages in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
