Girls from the marginalized Sada community in Saptari district who could not or did not attend formal schooling said they are benefitting from the program immensely.
Born as the third and youngest child to her parents, Sushila´s other siblings were married off at an early age. [break]
"Earlier, we did not know about the disadvantages of early marriage. Also, our parents were ignorant. I have learnt a great deal about various issues at the program and now I am able to use arguments to make my point," said Sushila, who has been attending the education classes for the last 10 months.
Saptari District Teachers´ Union under the auspices of UNICEF has been conducting the program to create awareness among the adolescent girls in the marginalized communities regarding child marriage, gender discrimination, health, hygiene and education among other issues.
"I am really happy to have gotten the opportunity to learn general reading and writing skills. Education on health and hygiene issues are useful in everyday life," Shushila opined.
Mairun Khatun, 12, another participant of the program said she feels more confident now and she hopes to be able to make her life more meaningful.
"I have witnessed a huge change in Mairun´s behavior and her way of thinking. She has progressed a lot after joining the program," said Parmeshwor Jha, a social mobilizer for the program. According to Jha, the girls participating the program have developed a sense of mutual cooperation and learned to be more responsible to toward their lives, families and society.
The program coordinator, Bijaya Nanda Jha, informed that the program is being run in 35 VDCs in the district with the aim of providing education to girls between 10-18 years of age. He also informed that 1998 girls have so far completed the program while around 800 girls have joined the new batch.
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