In the quiet village of Janjhiar in Thar, where traditional attitudes and social barriers have long limited opportunities for girls, 70-year-old Leela has become a strong advocate for education and change. A devoted member of the Village Education Committee, Leela is helping encourage families to support girls’ learning in a community where many daughters have historically been expected to remain at home.
Growing up, she witnessed how status and gender often shaped the opportunities available to people within the community. Over the years, she watched many girls grow up without education, expected instead to focus on household responsibilities from a young age.
Despite these challenges, Leela remained determined to speak out about the importance of education for every child.
“Education is not a privilege, it is a right.”
For Leela, education represents more than learning to read and write. She believes it gives girls confidence, independence and the ability to build a better future for themselves and their families. Through her role on the committee, she has become one of the strongest voices in Janjhiar encouraging parents to enrol their daughters in school and allow them to continue learning.
Many families initially hesitate. Some parents explain that their daughters are already too old to begin studying, while others say girls are needed at home to help with chores, care for younger siblings or support daily household work.
But Leela’s determination does not waiver as she continues visiting homes and speaking patiently with families about the long-term value of education. She explains how education can help girls build confidence, develop important skills and create opportunities that previous generations never had access to.
For Leela, advocacy is not only about raising awareness, but also about helping remove the practical barriers that prevent girls from attending school. When parents worry about their daughters walking to the learning space alone, Leela often personally escorts the girls herself, helping families feel reassured and safe.
Over time, her persistence has helped many families to view girls’ education differently. As parents see girls attending lessons, learning new skills and growing in confidence, attitudes within the community have slowly started to change.
Her actions have helped build trust within the community and encouraged more families to allow their daughters to continue their education.
After receiving training on her responsibilities as a committee member, particularly around child safeguarding and protection, Leela took on her role with even greater commitment. She works closely with the learning centre to help ensure the environment remains safe, welcoming and inclusive for every girl attending.
She regularly supports the centre by checking on the wellbeing of students, encouraging attendance and helping families remain engaged in their daughters’ education. Her presence within the community has become an important source of encouragement for both parents and girls alike.
Leela continues dedicating her time and energy to helping girls access opportunities that were once out of reach in her village. Her determination and advocacy are helping create gradual but meaningful change within the community, as more families begin recognising the importance of girls’ education.
The Empower Her project was made possible thanks to generous public donations to READ Foundation, matched by funding from the UK government through UK Aid Match. Through safe, inclusive and community-based learning spaces, the project is helping out-of-school girls aged 6–16 access education closer to home.
