A voice against discrimination
Child marriage remains a significant barrier in a girl’s journey. To address this issue, CRY’s project in Latur, Maharashtra introduced Balvani, a community radio platform—a space where girls’ voices can be amplified, and their opinions heard. Additionally, the project team provided children with an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) number, enabling them to report concerns and receive resolutions within 48 hours.
Akansha*, an adolescent girl, faced the imminent threat of child marriage when her parents, like many others in the community, decided to marry her off after she completed her 10th standard. Unhappy with their decision and determined to continue her education, she decided to raise her concerns through the IVRS system.
Upon learning about Akansha’s situation, the project team immediately intervened. They counseled her parents, emphasizing the risks of early marriage and the long-term benefits of education. Eventually, they convinced them to allow her to stay in school. The team also encouraged Akansha to become a voice for other girls in her community by participating in the community radio. Initially hesitant, she gained confidence with the team’s support and agreed to speak on Akashvani, where she passionately voiced her thoughts against gender discrimination in education.
With the guidance and encouragement of the project staff, Akansha successfully cleared her 10th board exams, securing the top rank in her school.
Her achievement not only allowed her to pursue further studies but also made her an inspiration for other girls in the community, helping shift mindsets about girls’ education.
*Name changed and AI image used for representation purpose only.
The Problem
Villages in Latur district face various challenges, one of the biggest being the lack of livelihood opportunities. As a result, families migrate for approximately six to seven months each year, disrupting their children’s education. Schooling is limited to the primary and lower secondary levels, up to the 7th standard. For higher classes, children have to travel long distances, which is both unsafe and financially burdensome for their families. Additionally, child marriage is a prevalent practice in the community.
The Solution
With the support of the CRY America project KMAGVS, the community has found hope in overcoming these challenges. The project bridges the education gap by ensuring the financial stability of community members through government program linkages, forming Children’s and Adolescents’ Collectives to raise awareness about child marriage and child labor, and enrolling children in school. Additionally, the project focuses on strengthening Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and sensitizing stakeholders on child rights issues, with an emphasis on education and protection.
Impact Of The Project
1,745
Children aged 6-14 retained in schools.
42
Children linked to government programs for financial support.
63
Children provided transportation facilities to continue education.
179
Potential child marriages prevented.
421
Families connected to financial security programs.
2,031
Children aged 6-18 attending remedial support classes.
10
Children removed from child labor.
137
Girls participating in sports.
2025 Plans
- Enroll 68 dropouts or first-time learners in remedial classes.
- Track the regularization of 2,365 children in schools.
- Conduct meetings with 14 Gram Panchayat members on maintaining a Migration Register.
- Conduct meetings with 104 village-level stakeholders on child protection issues.
- Rescue 4 child laborers and ensure mainstreaming into formal education.
- Organize a meeting with 885 children from 88 Children’s Collectives to sensitize them on child rights issues.
- Organize a meeting with 1,450 adolescents from 146 Adolescent Collectives to sensitize them on child rights issues.
2025 Total Budget
